Backyards have a lot of potential, but it can be quite the task to bring that wow factor to the table, especially if you’re low on money and time. But you don’t need to take out a loan or sell your car to change the mood and usability of your space. By combining small changes and strategic upgrades, you can improve the aesthetics, comfort, and practicality of your backyard without making expensive structural changes. The key is to have a plan, which is what this list of cheap backyard fixes that make a big difference is going to give you.
1. Hanging Lights
Lighting transforms a backyard from ‘meh’ to magical in an instant. Hang some string lights across patios, pergolas, or trees to create a warm, cozy ambiance. You can also use poles, hooks, or railings to hang decorative lighting without drilling into any permanent structures. To give your backyard a playful energy, use colored bulbs and hang them in a zigzag or crisscross pattern. For something softer and more minimal, go for warm white and straight lines. It’s a pretty cheap fix already, but if you want to reduce costs even more you could always go for solar or battery-operated options. Another benefit of these alternatives to electrical lights is that they don’t bring along the clutter of wires everywhere.
2. Fresh Mulch
A dull backyard can come back to life with something as simple and cheap as a fresh layer of mulch. If you’ve already got mulch beds, you simply have to replace them with new materials, or you can create entirely new beds. Mulch darkens the soil of plant beds, making the greenery pop. It also suppresses weeds and retains moisture, keeping your garden tidy and fresh for longer. You can find inexpensive options like wood chips, bark, or shredded leaves from local garden centers. Lay it evenly and edge the beds for clean lines, or opt for a natural look with curved lines.
3. Fresh Paint
This may seem a bit obvious, but there’s always the possibility that you thought fresh paint would be too expensive, or maybe even that you didn’t think of it at all. Paint is a cheap fix for surfaces that are showing their years of service like fences, benches, decks, and planters. You also don’t even need to paint entire surfaces because even small accents like the underside of a bench or a fence panel can make a big difference. Not only will a fresh layer of paint refresh your backyard aesthetically and bring it back to life, but it will also add a new layer of protection against weather damage. It’s important to opt for outdoor paint to ensure durability.
4. Tree Trimming
Pruning overgrown trees opens up light, air, and views that weren’t there before. Trim all of the branches that are getting out of hand, blocking paths, seating, and sunlight. Remove deadwood and shape your trees to make the backyard feel orderly and maintained. Proper trimming is important because it encourages healthy growth and prevents hazards from weak branches. You can do it yourself for free if you’ve got the basic tools, or you can hire a landscaping company to do it at a low cost.
5. Pressure Washing
Dirt, grime, algae, and mildew can keep your backyard from reaching its full potential. Fortunately, a simple pressure wash can fix that. Clean all outdoor surfaces like your deck, patio, fence, and outdoor furniture to make them look brand new. The patterns, textures, and colors that were hidden under dirt will be highlighted again, giving your backyard a fresh, well-maintained look. If you don’t have a pressure washer on hand, you can find many affordable options for sale or rent.
6. Pea Gravel Makeover
Pea gravel does require some maintenance every now and then because it needs to be raked and topped up. Think back to the last time you did that because it may be time. Replace your pea gravel with another color or simply give yours a refresh with a new bag or two. If you don’t have any pea gravel designs in your backyard, now is the time to change that. Lay some landscape fabric to keep weeds in check and cover it with pea gravel. Remember to add a border around the gravel to prevent it from shifting and getting untidy.
7. New Seating Cushions
Change is as good as a holiday and that applies to something as simple as your seating cushions. We’re often tempted to give our interiors and exteriors a complete makeover, changing everything that can be changed. But that isn’t always necessary. All you have to do is replace your outdoor cushions or add some to those you already have. Choose weather-resistant fabrics in colors that complement existing furniture and backyard. That’s the key; finding ways to work around what you’ve got instead of replacing it.
8. Fence Mural
Instead of giving your fence a fresh coat of paint in a single color, you can transform your backyard with a fence mural. Use outdoor paints to create beautiful geometfic patterns, color blocks, or nature-inspired designs. Anything that isn’t a plain white, brown, or beige fence will do. It’s very inexpensive to create a fence mural because you need nothing but the paint and the time. You also don’t need to be a modern-day Picasso because small sections painted thoughtfully are enough to change the feel of the entire backyard.
9. Declutter
The power that lies in a little bit of decluttering is incredible. You don’t have to throw away everything you own, but there’s nothing that some sorting can’t fix. Who knows, maybe the problem you’ve got with your backyard doesn’t lie in the decor. Store or discard old and rusty furniture that’s standing around, tools and toys that haven’t been used in years, and decor that’s broken. The key is to clear your pathways, seating areas, and garden beds to make your backyard feel larger, brighter, and more inviting. Not only is it a cheap backyard fix that makes a big difference, but it actually costs nothing.
