Almost-Free Outdoor Project Ideas

The creators of these amazing outdoor projects saw value in discarded, ultra-cheap items and sweat equity. The result? Cozy chairs, unique container gardens, garden art, potting benches, tool sheds and more.

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November 25, 2014

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Photo By: wwing; iStock

©Photo by Nancy Ondra

Painting a bright "rug" on the floor and adding bright orange stools and curtains lends a party atmosphere to this deck.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

This chair cost $1 at a yard sale, and RMSer ltmulligan gave it a $2 paint job. Now it offers a pretty contrast to the yellow yarrow.

When a neighbor tore out a deck and left the pieces on the curb, RMSer Chicago Recycler had the materials for her porch redo. She built this table out of the 2x12s (top) and 4x4s (legs), using scrap 2x4s for the supporting structure, and she gave it an antique mahogany stain. She also built the benches at each end, using a nailhead finish to secure the cushion fabric. To dress up the blank wall, she built a faux fireplace out of the scrap wood.

This homeowner's path to the backyard wound past a blank side wall of the house. To camouflage its awkwardness, he hung a simple trellis and a birdfeeder, and thereby created an instant garden nook.

Galvanized cans take on a whole new life, thanks to Brian Patrick Flynn, who drilled holes in them, added casters and turned them into sleek rolling container gardens.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

An old dresser becomes a unique planter for a cottage chic garden. To extend its life in the garden, sand it lightly, then apply a coat of clear finish.

RMSer helawrence13 paid $1 for the concrete planter at a yard sale, then with her granddaughters, collected rocks from around the yard. With the help of her husband, she created this pretty stone pedestal.

Artistry had a hand in updating this Adirondack rocker with a custom paint job. Posted by RMSer turtle heaven

Clematis has the support it needs with this old wooden ladder. Posted by Dotsgarden

Throwaway plastic and wood, combined with some ingenuity, were the ingredients for this cute little planter. Posted by RMSer LASG2120

Transform tiny terra-cotta pots into cheery music for your garden. These chimes are constructed entirely by knotting and gluing — no drilling required.

Every building material — brick, timber, slab — in this one-of-a-kind outdoor room is recycled. "I built this courtyard a few years past to remind me of my travels," says RMSer andyrtcm. Next slide: another view of the space.

In the same courtyard, RMSer andyrtcm built this amazing island-style "pergola" out of recycled materials.

Simple picture frames are the heart of this beautiful home address, and clematis adds the finishing flourish. Posted by RMSer nwphillygardener

This fabulous potting bench was built from old doors and trim that came from a garage sale for $1 apiece. The shelves were made out of old barn wood. "Recycle, recycle, recycle," RMSer debbieO_indy says.

A fabulous find at a thrift store: shams, a bolster and fabric for a total of $5.40. It was all RMSer scribbles2 needed to turn an older glider, purchased at a yard sale, into a cozy garden bench.

Have some leftover doors? You could make a cute little garden shed like this one by RMSer ksfohio.

Style your container gardens by grouping planters with found objects. Here, RMSer coastalgardener created an "arrangement" by adding driftwood and a shell.

Give any dresser new life as a mobile indoor/outdoor serving buffet.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Revitalize a tired concrete patio with color stain. (The concrete needs to be unpainted and unstained.)

From: Erinn Valencich

A paint job worked beautifully on this porch flooring. Posted by RMSer wrightx4. Next slide: a painted rug.

Nancy Ondra turned these finds into container butterfly gardens for the porch.