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Even the smallest and simplest upgrade willmake your backyard more beautifuland usable.
Or go super simple and add a few more plants or light up your garden with twinkle lights.
Lay them in a staggered pattern to mimic the look of a nice stone firepit.
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This cactus painting brightens up this outdoor dining space while adding Southwestern-style flair.
Plus, it’s an Instagram-worthy spot to post pictures of yourself enjoying your backyard.
You’d be surprised at how much touches of color can change the entire look of your backyard.
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check that the surface is about waist high to make it easier on your body when gardening.
Or take a page out ofAllie Wilson’s book and upcycle a pallet into a slim vertical garden center.
No storage is no problemhang your supplies on the wall.
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It’s an easy, inexpensive way to create ambiance in your backyard for quiet summer nights.
They’re reminiscent of fireflies.
Keep them up year-round as winter decor against a snowy backdrop.
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We love this vivid blue one that instantly brightens up the yard.
To make the pockets for the strawberries to grow,follow this video tutorialfrom Tim Burrows.
We love this outdoor room byDwell Awarewhere the ceiling and flooring are painted in contrasting colors.
A Beautiful Mess
Add a coffee table, comfortable furniture, and even hang furnishings like mirrors to bring a welcoming feel.
Lay gravel and add outdoor rugs for a low-maintenance and low-budget DIY patio alternative.
For example, fill an unused wheelbarrow with your favorite blooms or succulents.
home_on_the_bluff/ Instagram
Use hooks to hang a variety of potted plants.
If you spend almost all your time in your backyard, this project will surely elevate your relaxation experience.
This will turn the structure from an eyesore to a feature.
Finding Lovely
This DIY curved option fromA Beautiful Messcost $125 in materials and took two days to put together.
It’s anaffordable backyard upgradefor those with woodworking skills.
It’s both budget-friendly and whimsical.
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Lay Down an Outdoor Rug
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Dress up your patio with a colorful or patternedoutdoor rug.
you might find many outdoor rugs for a great deal online or thrift one from a secondhand store.
We love the outdoor rug on this patio byKirsten Dianeand how it pulls the entire space together.
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Use an outdoor rug to add interest to a concrete-slab patio.
It increases your storage space for essential items.
We love this wood pallet furniture inAfro Bohemian Living’soutdoor space.
Allie Wilson Home / Instagram
Plus, you don’t have to burn your feet on the hot pavement.
Here,denadanielle_designsused items from her house to create a backyard oasis.
She used safety pins to attach sheets to a hula hoop and twine to hang it from a tree.
Home Consultant
She added a faux flower garland to the hula hoop and an old chandelier for a whimsical look.
Always plantpet-safe flowers, such as bachelor buttons and zinnias.
Freshen the Mulch
Nothing visually refreshes a yard and garden more than a freshlayer of mulch.
Lady Landscape / Instagram
Whether you havesun,shade, oranything in between, there’s a stunning perennial for you.
Then plant some beautifulclimbing bloomsto make it a magical destination spot in your yard.
Your back and knees will thank you!
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Use plants and tall shade trees to create a lush backyard without the grassy fuss.
The most affordable way to beautify your backyard is to work with what you have.
Water andmow the lawn, tend to the garden, and sweep up leaves.
@ohsokel / Instagram
Add inexpensive raised garden beds and low-cost outdoor LED string lights to upgrade the backyard.
Consider a fire pit conversation area or anaffordable dining setif there’s a budget.
For example, connect elements with stone paths, a line of planters, or edged flower beds.
Dwell Aware/ Instagram
You will get the most return on investment if you keep up with landscape and lawn care maintenance.
Building an outdoor kitchen ranks high on the list of more costly remodeling projects that add value.
Remodeling Impact Report: Outdoor Features.National Association of Realtors.
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Ursula Carmona of Home Made by Carmona
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A Beautiful Mess
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My 100 Year Old Home
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Most Lovely Things
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The Awesome Orange
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
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Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona
Emily Henderson Design/ Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp