How to Improve Your Backyard on a Budget
Are you thinking of upgrading your outdoor spaces? Revamping your backyard does not have to be costly for you to get good results. Sometimes you just need great ideas, the right furniture, and lighting, and work some DIY magic to get the backyard you have been dreaming of. Here are a few budget-friendly ideas you can incorporate into your backyard to transform your space.
Start by Clearing Out The Backyard
Before you start looking for ways of how to improve your backyard on a budget, you will need a clean place to organize. Even if your backyard was already functional, you might have realized there are things you should replace. For instance, if that backyard chair is old and worn out and repainting it will not cut it, do away with it. There are also items you can recycle to save on that cash and the environment as well. If repainting that table will make it look as good as new, then forget about getting a new one. If you have a lot of junk, you can coerce a few family members and friends to come to help you do away with the waste. They can also offer you some of their trucks to haul away anything you do not need. This might save you on labor costs. That challenge is that most people might be busy with their lives, which makes coordinating efforts hard. The alternative is hiring a reputable junk removal company and having them drop off trash cans. You can then sort out what you no longer need and, once you are done, contact the company to pick up. If you find the right company, they might even go through your junk and sort it out for recycling and donation. Once you have cleared out everything, you have a clear picture of what you are working with, and planning becomes more effortless.
Get Creative with Your Fence
One of the ways on how to improve your backyard on a budget is by giving your fence an upgrade. As much as your fence is for securing your home and creating boundaries, it can also be used to enhance curb appeal. It can bring some texture, structure, and definition to your backyard. You should therefore put some thought into it, ensuring it blends with your home. The easiest way you can upgrade your fence is through painting, as it is easy and you can DIY. However, if you find it tasking or are unsure of your skills, you can contact an exterior paint contractor for assistance. The colors you choose will mostly depend on the theme of your house and your taste. However, you can go for an ombre effect by selecting colors in the same paint family. Earthly tones are usually splendid and give you a ton of options for your backyard. You can also choose bold colors if you want to make your garden fence look colorful and cheery. Another great idea for your fence is choosing a trellis style. This will go well with climbers. Your fence does not have to be wooden. You can go for concrete as well, especially if security and privacy are important to you. For maximum coverage, do concrete alone, but you can add wood accent or brick at the top if you want to break the design. If you want to go the eco-friendly way, try a living fence for yard fencing by using hedge plants.
Replace or Repair Your Roof
A roof has a significant impact on how your home looks. It is one of the first things people see from across the street when checking out your home. Therefore, when looking for ways of how to improve your backyard on a budget, consider giving your roof a makeover. Working on it does not have to be expensive. Sometimes, even cleaning and removing dirt and debris can leave the roof looking new. Remove any broken branches and fallen leaves as they end up rotting and ruining the appearance of the roof. After cleaning the roof, it is easy to see if there is any damage. You may notice missing shingles, punctures from pests and debris, or damaged flashing. In other cases, if a solar panel was installed poorly, it is likely to damage your roof. Contact a roofing company to fix those immediately to avoid further damage. The roofer can inform you that the damage is too severe, especially if the roof is old. In such circumstances, your option is to replace the roof. Luckily, there are many types of roofs on the market, including affordable ones. Your gutter can also contribute to the overall appearance of your yard. By simply cleaning off any accumulated debris plus dirty water that has splashed on it, it can look as good as new. If you are replacing it, you might want to go for vinyl or aluminum as they are affordable. Also, aluminum gutter install is not complex, and you can DIY saving on that labor cost.
Build a Fire Pit
Summer nights and cozy evenings can be made better by having friends and family members come together around a fire pit, roasting some marshmallows while having great conversations. That means when looking for ways of how to improve your backyard on a budget, you should include building a fire pit as well. This is a great way to bring some warmth and excitement into your backyard’s atmosphere. In addition, you do not have to get a contractor for this. You can build one for yourself or buy an affordable one at your home improvement store near you. Whether you are doing square or circular shapes, you can incorporate varying designs if you have extra rocks from another yard project. Note that when building a fire pit, you should position it away from anything flammable. For instance, build it about 20 feet away from your home, barn, shed, pool house, dog house, or a detached garage with your cars and motorcycles. In addition, mind plants and trees around you, especially long grass, as it catches fire quickly. And as the weather keeps changing over the seasons, remember to keep up with maintenance to keep any plant life away.
Set Up Some Lighting
Another way of how to improve your backyard on a budget is by investing in lighting. Lighting can effectively highlight some design elements and create a beautiful ambiance in your backyard. There is a ton of outdoor lighting you can opt for, including string lights. Just hang them across the yard, and use the trees as support. If you lack trees or any tall objects you can string them from, use a wooden post to create support. Lanterns are great as well, and they come in a variety of styles at different price points. They are not only decorative but functional as well. You can cluster two or three in different sizes to maximum effect. Find ways to incorporate lamp floors in the yard as they are attractive, especially during the night when switched on. When it comes to lighting, you do not have to stick to one type of lighting. You can pick various designs that complement each other. However, note that lighting installed poorly or too much light can cause light pollution in your home. For instance, too much outdoor lighting can shine on rooms, create a glare that blinds people temporarily, or hinder the view of stars. Try to minimize wattage and position the lights correctly to avoid such challenges.
Pick Outdoor Furniture
Your list of how to improve your backyard on a budget cannot be complete without creating a relaxing area. You will need someplace to sit, have meals and enjoy warm weather from time to time. When picking yard furniture, it needs to be functional and comfortable, serving the desired purpose. For instance, if you enjoy hosting guests while cooking outside, you can try out some new Mexican furniture set that includes a dining table and chairs. This can be a great place as well if you like working outside. Big outdoor pillows, rocking chairs, and benches are also great for creating a cozy space for your family and guests. You can even make your own day bed using wooden pallets and just get the cushions and pillows from a home improvement store. Another great idea is suspending a hammock between two poles or trees. This idea is great for both kids and adults and is affordable as well. Sometimes, what you need is to give your old outdoor furniture a facelift. For instance, you can spray paint or repaint the furniture you already have, making it look as good as new, instead of spending money on new furniture.
Work on the Greenery
Nothing goes wrong with plants. They are not only appealing, but they a hundred percent make almost every place look better. One of the major ways of how to improve your backyard on a budget is through planting plants, whether in a pot or the yard itself. Add a few trees as well, depending on the size of your yard. As they grow, you will watch your yard transform into a relaxation haven. Another greenery tip for your yard is keeping the grass short and removing weeds. Tall grass and weeds are not attractive, making your yard look unkempt. Therefore, get that lawnmower and sharpen its blades to get clean cuts. Keeping the grass short prevents weed intrusion and helps you create a place where children and pets can play. Do not forget to trim shrubs or overgrown trees. You will need clippers or shears to prune an overgrown hedge. You can also trim big branches using a portable chainsaw. However, you need to practice safely while doing this. If you are unsure of what you are doing, get tree removal services for assistance on how best to handle the tree. If you do not want to spend a lot of space for plants, grow them vertically using wall planters. They come in a variety of shapes and designs, and you can even have them all over your fence if you lack the space on the ground. You can also DIY a wall planter at your home instead of buying one.
Use a Stock Tank Pool
Another way of how to improve your backyard on a budget is by installing a stock tank pool. A pool install cost can be high, which makes this an affordable alternative. Stock tank pools come in handy, especially during summer when you just want to cool the body. Choose a flat area in the backyard and seal it off, then place the stock tank pool. You can also add a pump to make filling and cleaning easy. Apart from the inexpensive factor, stock tank pools are strong and able to withstand harsh weather conditions, including wind, snow, sun, and rain. They are also available in various styles, like industrial, urban, boho, farmhouse, and hippie. It is up to you to find something that suits the style of your backyard. When the swimming season is coming to an end, simply drain the tank and roll it to the garage or shed for storage until you need it again.
Reuse Old Tires
When looking for ways of how to improve your backyard on a budget, always think about recycling and reusing. If there are a few old tires in your garage that you have been unable to get rid of, you can put them to good by getting creative. For instance, you can wrap a rope around it, then put a piece of fabric on top and make it a lively ottoman for yard furniture. You can also repaint it, then hang it on the fence and plant some flowers there. It is all about being creative.
A backyard transformation does not have to be costly. You only need to put some thought into it, and within no time, you will have a beautiful relaxation space. Finding ways of how to improve your backyard on a budget is not that complicated. Watch a lot of DIY tutorials and see what you can reuse to keep costs down.