(Updated September 3, 2024)

Outdoor spaces are great for unwinding after a long work day, for spending time with family and friends and for playing with your kids. If your backyard doesn’t feel welcoming, these budget and eco-friendly decorating tips will help you beautify it in no time. You don’t have to break the bank to spruce up outdoor spaces. Sometimes, the most striking decorating ideas are the cheapest. If you’re not intimidated by the idea of a DIY, here are 7 suggestions for reviving your backyard or patio. 

1. Create a Welcoming Entrance

A welcoming entrance sets the tone for your outdoor space, and using a doormat is a simple yet effective way to enhance both the front and back doors. A doormat not only adds a touch of style but also serves a practical purpose by keeping dirt and debris outside. You’ll find many low-cost options available that are both durable and functional. Rubber matting is a popular choice for its resilience and ease of maintenance. These mats are often designed with patterns or textures that trap dirt, making them a practical addition to any entryway.

For a more natural and sustainable option, consider coir matting. Made from coconut husk fibres, coir mats act like a weeping brush, effectively scraping off mud and dirt from shoes before entering your home. They’re not only eco-friendly but also highly durable, making them an excellent investment for your outdoor spaces. Whether you choose rubber or coir, placing a well-chosen doormat at your entrances is a simple step that can make a big difference in keeping your home clean and inviting.

2. Make a Trip to the Thrift Shop

Thrift shopping is one of the most cost-efficient ways to decorate outdoor spaces. If you’re patient and you don’t mind examining dozens of items, you can find unique vintage pieces that would cost you an arm and a leg in malls. From affordable outdoor furniture to lawn ornaments, big thrift shops usually have it all. You can can also get high-quality and personalized door mats that fit your style in some of these shops, if you’re looking to save money.

Use your creativity and look for items that you can upcycle or that serve a double purpose. For instance, if you’re good at sewing, look for curtains that you can transform into throw cushions. Keep your eyes peeled for big plant pots that regularly cost hundreds of dollars. You can thrift them for much less and they will instantly elevate any outdoor space.

3. Hang Patio Curtains

This budget-friendly DIY is not only practical but also aesthetically pleasing. Patio curtains will keep the summer sun at bay, allowing you to enjoy the great outdoors without getting sun burns. The easiest way to make no-sew curtains is to fold 2-3 inches of the canvas drop cloth (or the material of your choice) and use clip rings to hang them on a metal conduit.

The beauty of this simple weekend project is that you can easily customize the curtains to suit your preferences. You can experiment with the fabric and patterns. Use a thin fabric if you want some of the sun light to peek through or a thicker fabric for a completely opaque effect.

4. Make Your Own Flower Pots and Stands

No outdoor space is complete without plants and flowers. Greenery adds a warm touch and makes everything look ten times better. If you don’t have a green thumb, choose low-maintenance plants that don’t need a lot of watering and do well outside.

When looking for low-maintenance plants that can thrive outdoors on a patio with minimal watering, consider succulents, such as jade plants, aloe vera, and sedums. These plants store water in their leaves and don’t need much attention. Additionally, ornamental grasses like blue fescue and fountain grass are drought-resistant and add a beautiful aesthetic to your patio. Herbs such as rosemary and thyme are also excellent choices: they tolerate dry conditions and work great for a variety of cuisines, including Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. For a pop of color, try petunias or marigolds, which can withstand some neglect in terms of watering, making them perfect for busy plant enthusiasts or those who prefer a low-maintenance garden. Just remember that marigolds do best with regular dead-heading. Pinching the tops of spent flowers with your fingers will keep your marigold plant producing new blooms for many months.

Whatever you choose, make a statement with the flower pots and stands. You can upcycle basically anything that will hold some soil. From empty tin cans and decorative vases to old drawers, the sky’s the limit.

You can improvise when it comes to flower stands too. Unused coffee tables, trolleys with deep shelves, wood ladders and flower boxes are just some of the items you can use. These look unique and will reflect your style and personality. You can further personalize them by using spray paint in your favorite color.

5. Add Solar-Powered Fairy Lights

String lights are inexpensive and can make a world of difference to any outdoor space. They can make your patio feel cozy and romantic. Solar-powered fairy lights are eco-friendly and easy to use. Since you don’t have to plug them in, you can hang them wherever you want. There is a plethora of lights to choose from. It all boils down to your taste and the style you’re going after.

Colorful lights are playful and modern. They look beautiful at night and complement small spaces that don’t have many ornaments. Regular, yellow lights are more traditional and stylish. They suit larger spaces that are decorated with bright colors and furniture.

6. Make Your Own Wind Chimes

This is an excellent DIY project if you have kids or if you enjoy crafting on your own. By using materials like driftwood and shells, your handmade wind chime is guaranteed to be eco-friendly and affordable. To complete the item, you will also need some tiny bells, assorted beads and twine. You can add in any small ornaments that you might have collected over the years. Everything that makes a pleasant sound is welcome.

Assembling the wind chimes is easy. All you have to do is thread the beads, attach the bells, shells and other trinkets and tie everything to the piece of driftwood. The wind chime can be as big or as small as you like, depending on the size of the driftwood. 

7. Hang Canvas on Your Walls

Canvas arts are very flexible in terms of sizes and can be used for everything from small paintings to larger, expansive works. Also, the other main reason why canvas is such a popular surface among home designers is due to its obvious longevity and how much can one canvas have an impact on the room. The best way to choose the right canvas for your room is to start doing some online research. There are many canvas shops advertised online, in magazines and in catalogs, and many offer discounts or free shipping to first-time customers. Great tip: if you see a picture arrangement that you find beautiful at a friend’s home or in your favorite coffee shop, take a photo for reference. Many print shops can create a stunning piece of art by copying your photo to a canvas board.

Your outdoor oasis awaits

Creating a beautiful outdoor space doesn't have to break the bank or harm the environment. By incorporating budget and eco-friendly decorating ideas, you can achieve a stunning oasis while being mindful of your finances and the planet. Start by using repurposed materials for furniture and decor to reduce waste and save money. Embrace native plants or low-maintenance ones that require less water and care, which can promote local biodiversity while enhancing the aesthetic of your outdoor space. Consider DIY projects for garden art using found objects or secondhand treasures to add a personal touch. Additionally, using natural materials like bamboo or jute for rugs and cushions can elevate your space's look while being sustainable. Lastly, don't underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint; choosing low-VOC paints can refresh your outdoor furniture without harming the environment. With these ideas, you can create an outdoor haven that is not only cost-effective but also kind to nature.