Is your outdoor space summer ready? If you’ve been putting it off because you’re worried about the expense, you’ll be pleased to know that there are some very fun and attractive ways to spruce up your outdoor space without breaking the bank. 

The prices of everything have been going up lately, but with a little bit of creativity, you can create an inviting space that is perfect for passing those long evenings and making memories with your family. Check out these five outdoor space ideas on a budget.

1. Pillows, pillow everywhere

How do you make your outdoor space cozy, real quick? Pillows, pillows everywhere! For a quick way to make your outdoor space more inviting, pile pillows on every surface imaginable. This is a particularly good trick for cheaper patio furniture or metal pieces that that tend to be uncomfortable. 

There are a few ways you can approach this. If you’re not very crafty and just want a quick result, look for cheap or discounted pillows at your local garden centre. But if you have a little more time and want more control over the final result, you can make your own. You can find a range of affordable pillow inserts sold uncovered – you may even have a few extra ones lying around the house. Then, choose a durable outdoors-friendly fabric with fun patterns or colours and cover them yourself!

I went down the cheap route for years, but a few years ago I splurged on a set of outdoor cushions and they stay out all year long…and still look brand new!

2. Light up the space

One very affordable way to make your outdoor space summer ready is by adding outdoor lights. These days, you can find a range of LED string lights at very reasonable prices. Use them to wrap trees, create table centrepieces, or hang along the top of your fence for a warm glow and celebratory feeling. If you’re having guests over or enjoying date night outside, consider draping them above the table for a festive ambience.

You can supplement smaller lights, like fairy lights, with a few bigger statement lights like paper lanterns in different colours and shapes or clusters of flameless pillar candles. I love this tip myself and am due to buy a new set of fairy lights!

3. Create a DIY bench

Patio furniture can be pricey, but there’s no need to splurge on it when you can make your own! You can stack pretty much any type of brick or block imaginable against a wall, then cover the top with a long foam pad and add some pillow for a cute and cosy seating area.

You can also use other materials, like reclaimed logs or pallet boards, if you have the right tools to cut them into shape. Just make sure that however you choose to build your bench, you test it out carefully before letting anyone sit on it!

4. Make your own plant containers

Container gardens are a low-cost, low-commitment way to bring some greenery to your outdoor space and can go a long way toward sprucing it up as well. Whether you go for evergreen shrubs or colourful perennials, foliage and flowers can transform your space.

Best of all, the pots give you a chance to set the tone for the space, and you can even make it a fun family project! From traditional paint in bright, fun colours and textured or concrete spray paint to repurposed spice containers and bowls, there are so many ways you can make garden containers. If you have old pots or tin cans, you can wrap them with twine, use washi tape or get creative with stencils. The sky is the limit!

5. Get out your paintbrush

If you’re on a really tight budget and are looking for cheap backyard makeover ideas, the answer to freshening up your outdoor area for summer could be as simple as a can of paint. For example, if you have dark wood furniture outside, painting everything white can instantly brighten the area and make it feel new. I’ve also seen patios where the outer perimeter of a concrete floor was painted in a colour that contrasted with the rest; broad stripes can also look nice. 

You could also paint an accent wall, or spray paint a table and chairs. If you go outside and look around, you’ll probably find at least a dozen other things you can paint to give your outdoor space a fresh look this summer.

If you have wooden furniture, treating it with wood oils or varnish will breathe new life into the furniture! We just treated our table and chairs after 2 years, and they look brand new again!

Love,

Nakita xxx