DIY Backyard Makeover Ideas
Expert Advice

Image: Paradise Restored

If you’ve got a free weekend at home, there is no better time than now to get a jump start on sprucing up your backyard ahead of spring’s “late bloomers”. With the winter cold, we know everyone’s itching to get ready for barbecues, hanging out by the pool, and soaking up the sun with the ultimate outdoor entertainment space. Update your outdoor area to suit both fun and function with these easy DIY backyard makeover ideas that won’t break the bank!

Create a Pathway

A stone pathway is an easy, inexpensive way to add flair to your outdoor space. Ensure that the stones match your home and choose rocks that are practical for your yard. (If you want a path that’s firm enough to roll a wheelbarrow on, use crushed stone and tamp it after leveling it.) After selecting the material, lay and level the stones. Then install a weed barrier and fill with mulch or pebbles.

Lay Down an Outdoor Rug

Large space looking a little bland? Jazz it up with a large outdoor rug! This includes a pop of color or eye-catching design in your backyard and changes up the space without needing to go through a big renovation like painting or staining the deck. Look for a high-quality rug that has a low moisture absorbency, such as this one. It’s an easy to care for rug is perfect for your deck, porch, patio, or poolside, and can hold up well in high-traffic areas, exposed to dirt, water and sunlight.

Construct a Trellis

A trellis is a frame of latticework used as a support for climbing plants. (Did we mention they also add a lot of personality to your backyard?) They are especially useful if you tend to sweet peas or honeysuckle, which have fast-growing flowering vines that blossom beautifully in color and aroma. You can create a trellis out of almost anything—from garden stakes to bamboo to wood to rebar.

Invest in a Fountain

When we say “invest”, sure you could go and buy a fancy fountain and have professionals install it—and that’s totally fine! But an investment could also mean putting in the time to build one yourself. The theme of almost all DIY water features is taking the simple functionality of a submersible water pump and directing its flow in a way that is unique. You can go simple, extravagant, or even second-hand. Using the barest of materials, you can have your own trickling oasis in just a couple of hours.

Install a Fire Pit

Create a cozy atmosphere that will allow for some seasonal flexibility by putting in a fire pit.  To make your own, you’ll need inexpensive materials including angled pavers and gravel for the base. (Angled pavers make it simple to create a perfect circle, and gravel at the bottom helps level the bottom of the firepit—and keeps the fire contained to the pit). You can adjust the size of the firepit by arranging the pavers to have more of the longer edges facing in.