Has your backyard or outdoor spacing seen better days but you just don’t know what to do? If so, then we can help you. Today, we want to take a closer look at 20 quick fixes to refresh your outdoor space this weekend.
These are quick and cost-effective fixes that won’t cost you too much time or money, most of which you should be able to accomplish within about a day or two.
With just a few simple tweaks you can breathe some new life into your backyard, garden, or patio, to create a space that you and your friends will be proud to be in.
Whether you want to prepare the space for a special event or you just want your own personal backyard sanctuary, all of the ideas we’ve listed below are great starting points.
1. Pressure Wash Surfaces
If nothing else, a good way to refresh that outdoor space is by giving it a deep clean. Get your pressure washer and start blasting away at your sidewalks, decks, patios, and anything in between.
Even if you don’t want to build or create anything, removing layers of dirt and grime that have built up over the years makes all of your existing furniture and outdoor spaces look just that much better.
You don’t always have to spend money or create something new. Sometimes just taking care of what you already have is more than enough to create a nice outdoor space.
2. New Outdoor Cushions
If you like being outdoors, but you’re tired of your backside hurting from sitting on bad patio furniture, it might be time to replace those outdoor cushions. Outdoor cushions are great, but they can get weathered, old, and even moldy.
If they’ve seen better days, it might be time to replace them with new outdoor cushions that have trendy patterns or vibrant colors. It’s a great way to create an uplifting and energizing seating area that will have the whole neighborhood talking.
3. Add Outdoor Rugs
Although this might not be everybody’s cup of tea, a few outdoor rugs can really spruce up an area. However, if you live in an area where you get a lot of rain or snow, an outdoor rug might not be the best choice.
If you live in a warm or temperate climate, then an outdoor rug can bring something special to any area. It just adds a certain amount of warmth to an outdoor setting, it feels a little bit cozier. If you want to place them under seating areas or dining tables, that will create a whole new ambiance.
4. Hang String Lights
For a bit of coziness, whimsy, and illumination, using some string lights to create a bright and friendly backyard might be a good idea. String lights come in all sorts of shapes, colors, and sizes.
Drape your string lights across your patio, along fences, around trees, or wrap them around the pillars of your pergola or gazebo. It makes your backyard feel a whole lot more welcoming and warm, and at the very least, you’ll actually be able to see something when it’s dark outside.
5. Plant Colorful Annuals
Sometimes all a backyard needs to take things to the next level is a bit of brightness, and what we’re talking about here are some new annuals. Some nice annual flowers will insert a whole lot of color and vibrancy into any backyard.
What’s also great about these flowers is that they’re very quick growing, so they bring you near instant gratification.
They’re also great at attracting birds, bees, and butterflies, something else that helps add a bit of life to your garden. What’s nice about these flowers is that you can put them in your garden beds, pots, hanging baskets, or planters of any kind.
6. Install Solar Lights
If a bit of illumination is what you’re going for, but you also want to be eco-friendly, then installing solar lights is a great option. Solar lights are powered by nothing but the sun, so you never have to worry about another electricity bill again.
The sun charges them during the day and they then gently glow at nighttime. They’re not overly bright, but they add a warm illumination that’s just bright enough to see, but not so bright to blind you. You can place solar lights along walkways, round garden beds, or anywhere else you see fit.
7. Repaint or Stain Deck and Fence
Like we said above, sometimes creating a nice outdoor space doesn’t necessarily mean building anything new, and certainly not buying anything, but rather just taking care of what you have. What we’re talking about here is giving that deck or patio a new coat of stain or paint.
Not only will this rejuvenate the area and bring a certain warmth to the backyard space, but it will also help protect the wood from the elements. Remember that wood is susceptible to water damage, so regularly treating and maintaining it is recommended regardless of aesthetic appeal.
8. DIY Fire Pit
Alright, so while most of what we’ve talked about so far hasn’t really involved much building, here we’re talking about creating your own DIY fire pit.
If you’re someone who likes to sit Outback with your friends and family, roast some hot dogs and marshmallows, and just enjoy the warm glow of a soothing fire, building your own DIY fire pit is recommended.
It’s a project that only takes a few hours, especially if you have the right kit, and it doesn’t have to cost a whole lot of money either. It’s also a great way to transform your backyard into a space that is ideal to hang out in during the winter.
9. Refresh Mulch
At the very least, if you are looking to refresh your backyard a little bit, put a new layer of mulch on your garden beds. So this might not sound like the most exciting way to rejuvenate your backyard, but it is really useful.
Not only does adding a layer of mulch on your garden beds look relatively nice, but it also provides your flowers and other plants with great benefits.
A good layer of mulch helps to retain moisture and suppress weeds at the same time, plus it helps add a bit of color contrast to the mix as well. It’s a super affordable update that doesn’t cost much money, yet can make a big impact in your backyard.
10. Outdoor Art
Yes, we know that this point is fairly vague, and purposely so. There are plenty of types of outdoor art that can spruce up any outdoor space. There is weather resistant art, old mirrors, or even old antique doors that you may have laying around your home.
The whole point here is that a nice art piece serves as a focal point that will get your whole neighborhood talking.
Even better is if you can find a piece of art that complements your overall theme. On a side note, if you happen to have some extra mirrors laying around, these work really well to make a space look bigger.
Large mirrors can help your backyard feel more spacious, and they create some intriguing reflections during the night as well.
11. Create a Reading Nook
Maybe creating an outdoor space that everybody hangs out in is not what you’re looking for. Maybe you’re the opposite and want something that’s just for you. If this is the case, then you could create a nice little reading nook.
Hang up a swing chair or a hammock, set up some comfortable pillows, a bit of shade, and you’re good to go. You can choose a secluded corner in your garden or backyard and create your own private retreat that you can use to escape from the hustle and bustle that is the busy world around you.
12. Update Planter Pots
If you’ve got a bunch of old planter pots laying around that have seen better days, especially if they’re cracked, then it might be time to replace them. If the planter pots are still in decent condition, consider using some oil paints to give them a new coat of color.
There are plenty of weather resistant paints out there that will not only make those planters look better, but also protect them from future damage. You could also just replace the planters with new and modern ones that suit the theme that you are looking to create.
13. Add Water Features
Yes, so this is going to be one of the slightly more expensive projects for your backyard, but it’s well worth it considering how good these things look. The simple reality is that a nice little water feature like a bird bath or a water fountain adds a certain calming and serene element to any outdoor space.
It’s just something about the sound of that trickling water that makes people feel calm and tranquil. Of course, the fact that these things also attract butterflies, birds, and other animals it’s also beneficial. If you want to be eco-friendly and sustainable, there are plenty of solar powered water features out there for you to choose from.
14. Rearrange Furniture
Refreshing your backyard doesn’t always have to include spending money. Sometimes it’s the simplest changes that can make the biggest differences, like rearranging your furniture. Maybe you just have an old and outdated outdoor space that could do with a bit of a spruce up.
Try taking your tables, chairs, and other pieces of outdoor furniture, and rearrange them in various ways. Who knows, you might find some revolutionary new way of decorating a backyard!
15. Install a Trellis or Lattice
If you want something that’s super decorative and ideal for climbing plants like ivy, roses, or vines, then installing a lattice or trellis in your backyard is a great idea. It’s a great way to add some greenery to the mix, it can add some privacy to your backyard, and it adds a vertical element as well. Many people use lattice and trellises to effectively create full garden walls for a private and enclosed backyard.
16. Outdoor Curtains
Although outdoor curtains might not be suitable for all areas, especially those that have lots of inclement weather, it is something worth considering. You could hang outdoor curtains in the open spaces on your porch or in your pergola, to create a both elegant and functional field.
These hanging curtains provide a bit of privacy so everybody can immediately see what you’re doing, and they also add a certain warm and inviting aesthetic appeal to the mix. If you choose fabrics that can withstand the weather and are physically durable, you also shouldn’t have much problems in terms of maintenance.
17. Wind Chimes or Bird Feeders
If you’re all about decorative elements, wind chimes and bird feeders are two awesome things to have in your backyard. Some wind chimes will add a bit of whimsy to any windy day.
Some people might not enjoy the sound of wind chimes, and some might actually get annoyed by them, but there are just as many that find them soothing.
If loud wind chimes aren’t exactly your cup of tea, consider some bird feeders. Bird feeders don’t make any noise, well, besides the birds themselves, and they look nice too. You have no idea what sorts of wildlife you can attract with a simple bird feeder!
18. Garden Pathway Update
If you’re tired of the way your garden looks, it might be time to revamp that garden pathway. Dig up the old stones and lay some new gravel, bricks, or stepping stones. Some stamped pavers with nice patterns on them can be the perfect addition to any backyard.
Not only will this make your backyard look better, but it will make the space more functional as well.
It’s all about having a dedicated path to walk over, so kids and neighbors don’t walk all over your grass and flowers. A good garden pathway can also help highlight certain areas in your backyard, such as that beautiful raised garden bed.
19. Add a Bar Cart
Although it might not have all that much to do with updating your outdoor space, a rolling or portable bar cart is always a great idea no matter where you are. A portable bar cart comes complete with drinks, snacks, and everything else you need for an enjoyable night outdoors.
They’re great for large gatherings and small family barbecues alike. What’s nice about bar carts is that you can purchase them from official retailers, find them at flea markets, or if you’re a bit creative, you can even build one yourself.
20. Decorative Outdoor Storage
Last but not least, if you find that you’re constantly short on space, refreshing your backyard by creating some outdoor storage space might be the best option for you. You can use any kind of old lumber, pallets, dressers, or anything else of the sort to create your own DIY shelving units and storage compartments.
You can use them to start cushions, garden tools, entertainment essentials, and much more. The only recommendation we have on this front is to choose materials that are in line with the theme you’re looking to create.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are plenty of simple and affordable ways to refresh your backyard, to bring a bit more color and warmth to the equation. Remember, you don’t have to spend a ton of money to create something special. All it takes is a bit of creativity and ingenuity!
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.