32 DIY Ways to Create a Backyard Summer Oasis

Ready for your backyard to become your new favorite 'room'? Planting a lush landscape that features a variety of edibles and low-maintenance perennials, like this gorgeous California backyard, is one surefire way. Keep reading to learn more ways to turn your backyard into your personal oasis — whether you have an expansive landscape or a petite plot. From landscaping ideas to yard games, pretty outdoor decor and more, we're sharing the best ways to make your great outdoors even greater this spring and summer.

Just as you would when decorating any indoor space, the key to a pulled-together look on your patio, porch or deck is starting with a color in mind. For a monochromatic look that isn't boring, take our cue and layer several different intensities of the same shade. Learn more designer palette-picking tricks, below.

Punctuate a treeless space (or one that could use a bit of extra definition) by embellishing a shade sail with nautical accents. Boat cleats, grosgrain ribbon and textural sisal give this structure a thematic feel that's perfect for balmy afternoon gatherings, even if you're inland.

Use freestanding planters and posts to whip up the kind of ethereal outdoor atmosphere that usually means paying a stranger $15 for a cocktail. This project is portable, which means you can bring the party along to another space if you're a renter.

Create the feel of an intimate outdoor bower that just happens to add a bit of much-needed mystery back to the relationship between you and your neighbors. This high-convenience barrier is decidedly low-maintenance. Learn more about growing ornamental grasses, below.

Flowers are available in every color imaginable, so why not plant the rainbow? Follow our plant recommendations and planting tips to pot up a colorful container garden that, bonus, can stand up to the heat of summer while attracting a variety of pollinators to your backyard patio or deck.

Plain terra cotta or plastic pots are great, but they're a little bland. Our tutorial, below, shows you how to make a budget pot look like a pricey, vintage find using just paper napkins and decoupage medium.

Add privacy and ambiance to your yard with a pretty pergola. It's a perfect spot to hang string lights, grow climbing vines and get some relief from the sun.

For less than $500 you can make your serene, backyard pool dreams come true. This trendy outdoor feature is a budget-friendly way to bring the pool to you.

One of summer’s most relaxing sensation combinations: the sun on your face, the breeze on your skin and the knowledge that your guests have the means to entertain themselves. Build a game or two, like a cornhole set, and let them do the work of hosting on your behalf.

Movies under the stars are popular all over again, and while it's romantically retro to see one in your car, it's even better (and considerably less awkward for groups of more than two) to host your own screening on the back lawn. Create a snack bar with your favorite goodies, pull out a pile of picnic blankets, and project a beloved blockbuster onto this beginner-friendly homemade screen.

Bid a not-so-fond farewell to your drab slab by deploying a stencil to mimic the look of oh-so-trendy (and rather costly) cement tile. Bonus: The customizable concrete stain used as a base coat here covers every bit as well as paint but doesn’t get slick when it’s damp.

The summer heat can get to all of us, especially our furry friends. Help them get through the dog days of summer with plenty of shady spots, breathable outdoor beds, spare water bowls and frozen treats.

If your summer oasis will be hosting kids, plan activities like a reading station or a water balloon piñata to keep them safely occupied, leaving the adults free to relax and enjoy themselves. Get more party tips every parent should know, below.

In just a few steps — and for less than $30 — you can turn that dusty, old kettle grill into a stylish way to ice down your favorite summer sips. Learn how to craft your own portable (and pretty!) patio bar, below.

When an indoor pillow's glory days are behind it, thank it for its service during sofa-based binge-watches and prepare it for new life on the patio. You won't need a sewing machine for this project, and it's an immensely satisfying way to whip up on-trend decor on the fly.

If you've got a sturdy beam on your porch or pergola and can learn the ropes of some simple carpentry, the elemental delight of kicking up your feet on a statement seat can be yours. (Bonus points if you can arrange to sit on the swing while watching a movie on your homemade screen.)

Put together a prefabricated table with a shelf and a glass top (or retrofit an existing one) to create a spectacular centerpiece for a summer’s worth of parties. Unlike a living wall, you can bring this feature indoors when the weather turns chilly (or you fancy a bit of greenery inside).

Permanent outdoor dining tables aren't necessary when you have the skills to craft your own on the fly. Here, a castoff barn door + wood stumps = a long, low outdoor dining table that can be broken down between uses. Get more tips for throwing a boho-style bash, below.

... Or a fire bowl. Add ambiance, encourage s'mores roasts and discourage bugs from hanging around with this balcony-friendly feature. If you don't have the yard space for a full-size fire pit, consider ones of these tabletop versions.

Cozy up hard outdoor furniture with cushions, pillows and throws to make kicking back in your great outdoors even more enjoyable. To prevent damage and a musty smell, don't use indoor (especially down-filled) cushions. Instead, opt for durable outdoor-rated fabric filled with water-resistant polyfill inserts and swap in a Turkish beach towel, which dries super fast, for a standard throw.

Incredibly expensive outdoor kitchens are great, but have you tried constructing a frame for a mini-fridge with cedar fence pickets? This project calls for some serious sweat equity, but it’ll look even better a decade from now. (And by skipping a pro-level renovation, you’ll be able to stock that fridge with the good bubbly.)

No matter where you live, there's no denying that the summer sun can sometimes feel relentless. Make your porch, patio or deck into a relaxing oasis by rolling out a serving cart when guests arrive. Ice cold lemonade (or bubbly!) makes lounging on the porch feel like a mini vacay.

These windproof, upcycled beacons will bring a bit of twinkle to your space and complement outdoor decor of all kinds. For extra function, drill a few additional holes and add hangers or pieces of rope for carrying or hanging.

The first step in developing an entertaining-ready space is creating a pretty place to gather. Update tired patio furniture with graphic outdoor cushions, a weather-proof rug and cozy throws from your living room's extra blanket basket. Pull the look together with an assortment of hardy container plants.

Does your patio, porch or deck have a case of the blahs? We'll show you how to easily stencil a plywood board to turn it into colorful outdoor art that can stand up to the elements. Plus, learn an artist's trick that makes hanging a painted board easy, below.

Shouldn’t this be the summer you cultivate a vibe like the one at the chandelier tree in Los Angeles? If you stumble across an old bird cage or two at a flea market or antique shop, a bit of spray paint and a remote-controlled LED kit can turn your outdoor space into a wonderland.

Meet your next party's MVP: Set on casters and upcycled from simple wooden crates, this mobile accessory is durable, versatile and dead simple to build and decorate.

Cinderblocks: the handy (but heavy!) concrete blocks many of us have just taking up space in our garage or garden shed. Reclaim your space and put them to work to create a sturdy bench, that — surprise — doubles as a planter.

Channel the south of France (or Mexico, or Morocco) on your patio by re-casting pieces you already own; we’ll walk you through the five steps it takes to get here with accessories and styling. With low-investment tweaks like these, you can swap out the look for another one next summer for the cost of a few travel guides.

Planning an alfresco party? Set the tone with a seasonal theme that lets guests know what to wear, what to expect and what to bring. One of our favorites? A low-key, adults-only spring brunch, complete with beautiful flowers, specialty drinks and light fare.