If you’ve been wanting to create your dream backyard but don’t have the budget for professionals, you can undertake a variety of DIY projects that will take your backyard to a new level.
By following proven tips, your DIY projects will save you a bundle, and you’ll have a backyard your neighbours will envy. Don’t let expense cause your backyard dreams to die. Try these DIY tips to help you create your dream backyard yourself.
1. Make a Plan, and a List of Must-Haves
Every backyard project should have a plan; nothing will come together properly if you just build random things. Sit down and see what kind of space you have to work with. Make a list of the things you must have, whether décor, aesthetics or functionality. Your plan should include the features you want, where you want them to go, the materials you’ll need and the cost to purchase them. Once your plan is in place, you can focus on creating your dream backyard.
2. DIY Backyard Patio Ideas
A backyard patio makes sense for most families. You’ll have a place to relax and unwind and a great entertaining space when you have guests. You’ll quickly discover that your backyard patio becomes the focal point of your yard and is likely to increase your home’s resale value. Here are a few DIY backyard patio ideas to consider:
- A new surface for your existing patio, perhaps porcelain tiles
- A raised patio (Pro Tip: This is easier than you think when you use a pedestal system)
- Adding a pergola
- Updating the patio furniture
- Shading options
- Plants and planters
3. DIY Backyard Lighting
Your dream backyard isn’t just for daytime use. Backyard lighting can extend the hours you can enjoy the fruits of your labours. These days there are plenty of options, ranging from string lights to lighting built right into your deck, including the stairs. Here are a few lighting ideas to consider for your DIY backyard plans.
- Garden lights
- Paver and deck inset lighting
- Citronella candles
- Decorative baskets
- Backyard solar lighting
- Mason jar candles
- Tree & shrub lighting
- Wall-mounted safety lighting
4. Add a Grilling Station
While you may not be able to afford an outdoor kitchen right now, a dedicated grilling station is the next best thing. If you’ve got the space, add some shelving, and maybe even put an outdoor dining table & chairs nearby to make al fresco dining a regular part of your family’s life during the warmer months. This is also a good area to install built-in coolers and lighting.
5. Install a Fire Element
Nothing says summer like a firepit, fire table or even an outdoor fireplace. One of the easiest DIY backyard projects, a fire element can be as simple or as involved as you want it to be. More than just decorative, a fire element in your yard will quickly become the focal point of your outdoor living space when entertaining or a place for quiet, cozy nights. Fire elements can be as simple as an old wheel rim or a storebought appliance, or you can easily build one into your patio if you’re using heat-resistant surface materials like porcelain pavers.
6. Add a Water Feature
A water feature can turn your backyard into an oasis of tranquillity, adding a meditative quality and transforming the space’s ambiance. As simple or complex as you want them to be, water features are a welcome natural element in today’s busy world.
Are you looking for materials for your DIY dream backyard? Stonedeck.ca has innovative materials to help you save time, labour and money. We are Canada’s deck life experts and can help you transform your outdoor living space with products that will save you time, labour and money.