25 Backyard Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Outdoor furniture and decor can be expensive, especially for a space you may only use a few months out of the year. Luckily, you can make a big impact outside with wallet-friendly DIYs. Tackle some of these projects — from privacy solutions to entertaining essentials — and create an outdoor space you’ll want to spend time on. Bonus: Many of these ideas are great for renters and small-space dwellers, too.

Add a gorgeous glow to your backyard with a string of inexpensive patio lights. It will transform your space in the warmer months into your friends' favorite hangout. If you don't have a place to hang them from, here's an idea: Use planters and wood posts to create that cafe feel. Plus, it's perfect if you're renting because you can remove them easily.

Pea gravel can lend an Old World style to any otdoor space. Plus, it won't crack like a solid-surface patio may. Here's a simple, step-by-step DIY that's also inexpensive to build. And you can create it in less than a weekend.

Keep your budget intact by making planters instead of buying them. It's easy to turn metal washtubs and buckets into planters. Start by drilling holes in the bottom for drainage. Then add furniture feet and use a stencil to paint on a custom pattern.