Create the beautiful outdoor living space of your dreams with these inexpensive backyard landscape design ideas. Weekend project ideas for your patio and yard designs including lighting ideas, DIY projects, garden hacks and outdoor design tips.

Backyard Landscape Design Ideas

When our family moved to a new house, it was at the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Our yard began to bloom before our very eyes, day after day. My family and I loved seeing what surprises the next spring day would bring.

You see, our new home backs against the woods, and even has a beautiful little creek that runs into the Potomac. Nature was totally doing its thing with our backyard landscape design, and I was willing to let it take the reins. My husband, however, had a different opinion. He pointed out that heavy rains would raise the creek levels, causing flooding. Plus, he noticed that the lower areas would become muddy, fast. And finally, he knew that the grass would grow uncontrollably — even taller than our kids! Regardless, I waved off his warnings. I didn’t see a real need for backyard landscape design.

Okay, okay. I’m big enough to admit where I’m in the wrong. After two months living at the new house, the grass did in fact reach the boys’ shoulders. I have begged my husband to hire someone to help us get our backyard landscape design in order, ASAP. While he is looking for help, I am searching Pinterest for low-cost backyard landscape design ideas to perfect our natural space.

Without further ado, here’s what I have found so far! (I figured I would share with all of my frugal friends, too!) Read on to discover some of the best, inexpensive yard designs that you can accomplish all by yourself.

Backyard Landscaping Ideas on a Budget

DIY Water Feature

You weren’t expecting an impressive water feature right off the bat, were you? It’s amazingly easy to achieve this beautiful backyard landscape design with your downspouts. For your liner, cover the bare ground with plastic trash bags. Add your river rock, plants, and mulch. The rainwater will travel down the spout and over the rocks to provide a beautiful rock water feature. | Woo Home

Flower Basket Yard Designs

Line your walkway with these wooden posts topped with flower baskets. These yard designs can be customized to fit whatever color scheme you’ve chosen for your backyard landscape design. Just paint, assemble, and enjoy! | Cottage at the Crossroads

Weathered Wood Renewal DIY

Has your old wooden outdoor furniture seen better days? I’ve got good news — you don’t need to buy a completely new set! This outdoor furniture improvement project renews weathered furniture to polish up your patio. All you need is Howard Products SunShield Outdoor Furniture Wax with UV Protection.

DIY Outdoor Lights

Light up the night with this backyard landscape design. This super simple project shows how to string lights from natural elements like tree limbs using galvanized buckets and concrete.  (As seen in our Backyard Movie Ideas) | Ida klipper och klistrar (in English)

Cheap Patio Lighting DIY

In our cheap patio ideas, we introduced this cheap patio lighting idea. Hang string lights in potted lamp posts for a chic look, even with a small backyard. The glow of the lights with the beautiful flowers is a winning combo! | I Should be Mopping the Floor

DIY Horizontal Slat Fence

Transform your backyard landscape design on the cheap with this DIY Horizontal Slat Fence. The fence looks so modern — your guests won’t know it’s DIY until you tell them! | Fresh Mommy Blog

Christmas Lights Backyard Landscape Design

Who says Christmas Lights are only meant for winter? Light up your backyard every night of the year with inexpensive Christmas lights. | Shop Wayfair for Lights.

DIY Patio String Lights Tutorial

How amazing do these string lights look? Transform the ambiance of your patio with this simple, step-by-step DIY Patio String Lights Tutorial. | Place of My Taste

DIY Newspaper Hack for Weeds

You don’t have to use chemicals to solve your weeds problem. This newspaper hack prevents any grass and weed seeds from germinating for the be-all, end-all of weed solutions! Something to keep in mind: unlike WeedBlock Barrier fabric, the newspaper will decompose after about 18 months, so you’ll have to be ready to replace them. | Rosemary on the TV

DIY Marble Fence

I know I can’t be the only one that loves incorporating color into my yard designs. Easily transform your garden fence with this cheap backyard landscape design idea. All you need are colored marbles and a drill! Create your holes, insert colored marbles, and let the light do the rest. I can guarantee your kids will love this one — imagine the colors of the sunset! | Garden Drama

DIY Planter

Planters can be expensive, and they’re not even the focal point — the plants are! Luckily, you can easily upcycle a humble Styrofoam cooler into a DIY Planter. Such an unexpected backyard landscape design! | Salvage Sister and Mister

DIY Beverage Tub

Keep beverages cold without that expensive cooler (this one’s way cuter, anyways!). Use it inside or outside to keep all your beverages in one adorable place. This DIY Beverage Tub comes with two SVG files.

DIY Glowing Orbs

You’d never guess that it only costs $1 to $3 (if anything!) to create these DIY Outdoor Glowing Orbs. You might even have all the materials at home right now! | The Art of Doing Stuff

DIY Fire Pit Tutorial

Kids and adults love fire pits (did someone say s’mores?) But, I’ve been holding off on getting one — they can get way too pricey. This DIY Fire Pit will only set you back $60! Make it a weekend backyard landscape design project to complete with the whole family. | Keeping It Simple Crafts

DIY Upcycled Armoire

This couple took a $20 yard sale armoire and used one half of it to cover unsightly wires from their outdoor electrical box. The other half became a garden bed for growing vegetables. So smart! | Shabby Glam

DIY Pot-In-Pot Gardening Hack

As seen in our garden hacks and tips, try this pot-in-pot method. This DIY backyard landscape design lets you switch up your plants instantly! | Florida Friendly Plants

DIY Bean Pole Teepee Plant

This fun and inexpensive backyard landscape design idea also becomes the perfect DIY outdoor hangout for the kids. They will love patiently watching it grow before their eyes! | Artful Parent

DIY Rock Garden

If areas of your yard are brown and dead, don’t hire a costly landscape designer. Instead, replace dead grass with a DIY Rock Garden. You’ll save money and create an interesting element of your yard designs! | Home Talk

DIY Terracotta Pot Garden Hack

Calling all green thumbs! I love the look of this herb garden. Transform your flower beds with humble terracotta pots. Place your terracotta pots inside the ground and put a variety of herbs in the pots! | Town Mouse

DIY Rock Wall Garden Design

Elevate the look of your front or backyard landscape design with a rock wall edging against a colorful flower bed. It’s amazing how rocks can effortlessly improve your yard designs! | Pine and Prospect

Decorative Fencing Hack

HVAC units and garbage cans are eyesores that can get in the way of a beautiful backyard landscape design. Hide these unsightly items with easy to install decorative fencing.  | All Things Mama

DIY Wood Pallet Walkway

Keep mud and dirt off of your shoes with this frugal, upcycled wood pallet walkway. This is one of my favorite garden yard designs, and something a little different from the traditional stone path! | The Homespun Hydrangea

Look at these DIY Midsummer Nights Backyard Lighting Ideas.  Pin to Pinterest.

Save these Garden Tips and Hacks when creating your own perfect space. Pin to Pinterest.

WHAT’S TRENDING? Take your kids on a HALLOWEEN SCAVENGER HUNT for candy or fun non-spooky goodies.


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