From standing around, mingling with a drink or an appetizer in hand, to dancing the night away, flooring is the most used component of a good party. It also endures the most from the moment guests arrive. Think wobbly heels and dusty/muddy shoes. Fortunately, good party flooring doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy. It simply needs to look intentional, feel stable, and survive every drop of spilled punch that comes its way. These cheap backyard flooring ideas for parties will set the stage without breaking the bank.
1. Outdoor Rugs
Want your flooring done in less than a minute with no hassles? Throw an outdoor rug over the existing surface and call it a day. Outdoor rugs flatten uneven ground visually, creating gathering zones in your backyard. Large rugs work best because they reduce tripping hazards, especially when you use tape, weight, or furniture legs to weigh them down. Choose polypropylene rugs that can handle spills, dirt, and party-level foot traffic. While they’re good at hiding spills and stains, outdoor rugs are also easy to clean with a simple shake, hose, dry, and repeat system.
2. Pallet Flooring
Lay a couple of pallets tightly together on level ground to create a raised surface for your party. From a temporary dance floor to a gathering area where the snacks are, pallet flooring is great for parties, especially casual ones. It’s expensive, reusable, sturdy, and it prevents muddy shoes. Just sand the rough edges to make sure nobody gets hurt and secure the pallets together with zip ties or brackets to prevent them from shifting. Lastly, cover them with outdoor rugs or plywood sheets for a smoother surface if you expect guests with heels.
3. Interlocking Tiles
Get yourself a pack of interlocking tiles for a quick fix that can be reused over and over. In fact, you may even want to keep it out after the party and use it permanently. Or, you can stack them away in a neat, compact tile so they’re on standby for the next backyard bash. These tiles come in foam, rubber, plastic, cork, and composite tile options and you simply snap them together quickly. They create a stable, uniform surface that’s comfortable underfoot for endless dancing. Most tile options can handle foot traffic and minor spills and you can lay them directly on grass or dirt.
4. Artificial Turf Mats
If your backyard isn’t already covered in grass, or if you’ve got a patchy situation with uneven soil, it could do with an artificial turf mat. Not only does this idea work as cheap backyard flooring for parties, but it can also be a permanent landscaping change. Lay a turf mat over compacted ground and secure the edges to prevent them from curling. You can also take an extra step and weigh it down with tent pegs or furniture. The turf feels soft underfoot, photographs well, and provides the perfect surface for a party that includes kids.
5. Reclaimed Wood Boards
Wood flooring doesn’t always come with a hefty price tag. With reclaimed wood boards, you can get the look and the sturdy surface at little to no cost. Lay wood boards with a consistent width tightly together over level ground. Since the boards are reclaimed they’re going to need some extra prep, so sand the rough spots and remove all nails that may be a hazard. Wood boards add warmth and texture to vintage or minimalist parties and you can reuse or store them afterwards.
6. Vinyl Flooring Rolls
Vinyl works best for food areas, dance floors, and anywhere shoes are optional. Thus, they’re the perfect cheap backyard flooring solution for your next party. You can roll them out over grass or dirt as long as you secure the edges with tape or weights. They handle spills easily and they’re very easy to wipe clean after a mess. If you’re scared that vinyl flooring rolls are going to look cheap, you can rest assured that they’re available in classy neutral and wood-look designs. Plus, they’re so cheap that it’s not even going to matter once the party starts going and the other bills stream in.
7. Crushed Stone or Gravel
Crushed stone and gravel are more than cheap backyard flooring ideas for parties. They’re also the cheapest and most popular landscaping materials. And there are a couple of good reasons for that. These two natural materials drain well, hide uneven ground and mud completely, and they look good while doing it. Spread a thin, even layer over a sheet of landscape fabric to prevent weeds and to make it easy to remove the stones in the future. You’re going to want to opt for smaller stones with no sharp edges for comfort and use edging to keep the stones contained. If the party flooring setup is permanent, simply top it up occasionally and give it a quick rake to make it even.
8. Sand Base
There isn’t a big difference between a gravel base and a sand base. Both are great at leveling uneven ground, absorbing spills, and providing your party with a relaxed vibe. They also both need to be contained with edging to keep the materials contained. Sand creates a beachy feel that absorbs spills and feels very comfortable underfoot. In fact, your guests can even take their shoes off to enjoy the feeling of sand between their toes. A sand base can also be topped up occasionally so it remains full and comfortable.
9. Low-cost Paver Squares
Paving can be costly but it’s worth it if your backyard is a regular party hosting space. Plus, there are more than enough low-cost options available for you to be able to avoid the overpriced alternatives. Lay these pavers in a grid or spaced pattern over compacted soil or sand. A grid pattern will provide stability, while spacing reduces cost and improves drainage. You can fill the spaces between the pavers with gravel, sand, or plant some grass or groundcover that’ll do the work for you.
