8 Cheap Ways To Update Your Yard

Backyard makeover on a budget.

There is just something so refreshing about an updated yard.  It gives your house some extra curb appeal, and makes for an enjoyable outdoor space.  I love spending quiet summer evenings in our backyard.  We live in a new house, which means empty plain yard.  Slowly, we have been trying to update our yard and give it some extra spark.  The only problem, is that yard updates can get expensive, and we are on a tight budget!  I’ve been doing a lot of research this past year and wanted to share some of the cheap ways to update your yard I have found.

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1.  Outdoor Rug

A fresh new rug can do wonders to any space, and a yard is no different!  Rugs add color, charm and the homey feel.  Consider getting a new rug to put on your porch, patio or deck.  I found a few cute and affordable options below!

I love the natural look of this basket weave area rug.  It’s less than $65 with free shipping!

Another beautiful rug I have had my eye on is this beautiful black and white striped rug and I just might purchase it!  It’s super trendy and would match my house perfectly!  Plus, it’s less than $40!

If you are looking for a rug with a little more color, check out this pretty vintage geometric rug.  I love the splash of color it will give to any space and it’s less than $80.

 2.  Build an Outdoor Fire Pit

We love sitting around an outdoor fire with family and friends, and is a great statement in any yard.  Our fire pit is such a fun spot for making memories, especially with little ones around.

You can buy an outdoor fire pit, but I think it’s much cheaper to build your own.  We were lucky enough to find bricks being given away for free and built our fire pit using those.  It didn’t cost us anything!  I found a great tutorial from Home Depot here to help you get started.

3.  Add a Path

Adding a path to your yard is an easy way to add some style and uniqueness to the layout.  Plus, it can be done for cheap if you do it yourself.

A budget friendly garden path can be made using rocks, mulch or even stone.  I’m sharing a few inspiration pictures below!  Search YouTube for video tutorials.  You will find plenty!

Rock Paths

Mulch Paths

Stone Paths

4.  Mood Lighting

Another great hack for giving your yard a new look without spending a lot of money is to add some new lighting.  Everything looks better with the right lighting.  You can really change the mood of your yard if you add some pretty lights.

Consider hanging a string of lights like these trendy string lights.  They are only $28.95 and super cute!  Perfect to string across the patio.

Another fun lighting option are these solar garden lights.  They are a cute addition to flower beds or garden paths.  Plus, they are priced under $40 with fantastic reviews!

How cute are these solar hanging mason jar lights???  I just added them to my wish list and can’t wait to hang them up!  These lights would look cute lined up on a set of stairs, hanging from a tree, or around your patio.

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5.  Add a Trellis

A trellis is a very frugal way to add variety to your yard.  You can easily build your own trellis using the tutorial found here.  Or, buy a cheap one from amazon.  I love this pretty trellis below!

But, the very cheapest way to add a trellis to your yard is by looking for free materials to re purpose.  You can easily transform vintage metal into a beautiful trellis.  Keep your eyes out for materials at garage sales, thrift stores, or on free facebook share groups.

Look at this cute vintage metal gate!  It would make a perfect trellis!  When decorating, always keep your mind open to new ideas!

6.  Clearly Define Spaces

Make your yard more visually appealing by separating it into different spaces.  This is a great way to give your yard some variety.

There are so many different ways to define spaces.  You might not even need to buy a thing!  Look through your garage, shed, and house to find items you already own that you can use.

One easy way to make a distinct space is to use furniture to block off a specific sitting/visiting area.  Look for used yard furniture on facebook marketplace.  If you are patient you should be able to find a good deal!

I love this backyard below.  They have a few different patio sets making for distinct visiting areas and a beautiful yard.

Another frugal options is to add mulch to a playground area.  This looks much nicer than putting the play equipment straight on the grass.  You can usually find mulch for fairly cheap from your local garden store.

Here’s another cute space example. I love how they used pavers to make a fun sitting area.  This would make a great DIY project!

7.  Containers with Annual Flowers

Everything looks better with some color, and flowers are the perfect way to add color to a yard.  Annual flowers are much cheaper than perennials and are a great addition to all yards.  Annuals are a great buy because they stay colorful all summer, providing you with months of enjoyment.

Plant some annuals in containers to set around your yard.  This is an easy way to brighten up any space!

Look for items you already have around the home that can be refurbished as a planter.  Some of the cutest containers are those that have been refurbished.

Always remember to use your patience and creativity when updating your yard on a budget!

It can take time to shop around and find the best deals for a yard, but when you are on a tight budget the extra time is worth the effort!  Shop garage sales, facebook marketplace, thrift stores and your garage to find items that can be turned into something beautiful.  You can upgrade your yard, without having to spend a lot of money!

Don’t forget to pin for future reference!

Make your yard look new again with these cheap yard update ideas!