Building out a great backyard doesn't need to come with a massive price tag. Everyone has been spending a little more time at home lately and now that the summer season is well on its way, it has us all thinking about our backyard spaces... and what we can do to make them ~fancy~.
The good news is that not everything comes with a price tag (some with no price tag at all, depending on what you've got lying around). All it takes sometimes is a little creativity and a plan in order to transform a space such as a backyard. The better news is that anything that can be bought is usually fairly affordable, with a price tag that's much lower than that of a full-on patio set, fire pit, or anything in between.
Oversized Pillows And Cushions Are Sometimes Cheaper Than Furniture
Better known as poufs, these funky, oversized pillows and cushions can add a super bohemian vibe to any space with the use of a funky rug or even an oversized towel on the ground. Use the rug, towel, or blanket to set the 'room' and arrange all of your pillows around it.
This can create a super intimate space and will make people feel welcome because they won't be sitting on the floor, but they will be able to lounge and sit as casually as they want. These huge pillows and cushions are usually pretty cheap compared to the alternative, which is an outdoor sofa or individual chairs.
Get That Green Thumb Ready
Sometimes, the one thing that a space is lacking is actually life. Plants bring so much vibrancy and greenery into a space and it's amazing what a few potted plants can do here and there. If you have space, plant some gardens around your seating area!
If you own your home or are allowed to make alterations to the exterior of a rental, try doing something such as a plant wall and hanging planters. If this isn't doable, look for a tall trellis to set up in the space - they're fairly affordable at home improvement stores.
Build Your Own Fire Pit
With some bricks and cinderblocks, you'll be well on your way to creating a DIY fire pit. In reality, all that needs to be built are some shallow walls.
Then, dig out the center of the fire pit so that branches, paper, and things like that can remain lit, as oxygen will be able to flow in freely from the bottom of the pit. You can even get fancy with this and arrange the blocks in a neat pattern or something a little funky.
Find Cheap Or Secondhand Patio Sets And Spruce Them Up
There's absolutely nothing wrong with thrifting for outdoor furniture and, in some cases, this is how you can find the best deals. Even if there are minor imperfections or some wear and tear, they can usually be fixed with a fresh coat of paint or some re-lining.
You could even purchase plain 'ol foldable lattice chairs and paint them in funky, bright colors to make the space fun and inviting.
Use Cinderblocks As The Base For Comfy Furniture
Futon cushions aren't that challenging to find and are usually far more affordable than any piece of outdoor furniture you could find. For the base, try using some cinderblocks stacked together.
It'll be unbelievably sturdy and will allow a group of people to sit on it at once, and if you find the cushion in a fun color, that's even better. Add some throw pillows to this and you've got another bohemian, rustic setting in the works.
Use What You've Got And Build On It
Oftentimes, we have more in our garages and sheds than we even realize. Something as simple as a metal fold-out table can be transformed with a fresh coat of paint and some matching chairs. If all you've got on-hand are foldable lawn chairs, those can be spruced up, too. Add some small throw pillows to these to make them a bit more comfortable, or remove the canvas backing and seat cushion altogether and weave your own pattern with durable material.
If you have plastic lawn chairs, some coats of paint, and perhaps some metallic detailing, can make them look fresh, instantly turning them into statement pieces rather than your typical set of plastic chairs. The same can be done with plastic tables; a unique design painted in the center of one of these can really turn it into something entirely different.