Backyard patio ideas on a budget {our patio makeover}
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It’s that time of year to start looking at backyard patio ideas on budget and today I am sharing our patio featuring paver stones that extend from our back door to our pool area. Our large patio is overwhelming and I have struggled in the past with how to keep it cozy and not spend a lot of money filling it with outdoor furniture. Here are some of my DIY budget patio ideas when decorating a backyard patio. This post contains affiliate links. You can read my disclosure here.
Towards the end of the post, you will find updated product shopping links .
Backyard patio ideas on a budget {our patio makeover}
Our patio has older paver stones that vary in earth tone shades. The patio leads from our back door to the pool house and pool.
FLASH BACK a couple years ago: Do you remember the swamp monster in our backyard post and the 19.5 hours of power washing the pavers around the pool and patio?
If you are a new follower, be sure to check out the yard and excavation project and pool when we first bought the house.
Here is the patio before I started decorating for Spring and Summer.
Here is the patio after we added a seating area under the windows. One budget idea when it comes to decorating a patio is to mix faux plants/trees with real flowers. I have a handful of faux trees that I keep indoors during the winter months as they are expensive to buy “real” every year and honestly, I don’t have the space indoors to keep them alive during the cold New England months. It is costly to buy new live patio trees each year so I invested in a handful of faux and reuse them year after year.
Backyard Patio Furniture Ideas
This wicker set is a set that my mom bought from my brother a few years ago when he purchased a larger set for his patio.
I get so many questions about where to buy outdoor wicker furniture on a budget so I rounded up some of my favorites.
This is a similar wicker set (does not have the metal arms) that will allow you to “get the look” and has great reviews from Wayfair.
These floor plants (behind the chairs) are faux from Homegoods and they are the best! I love that they look real and don’t require watering! I have had this faux plant for 3 years and as long as your patio has a covered area, it will hold up fine.
Greenery (especially floor plants) can really transform your patio and add a lush tropical feel.
Related: See the before pictures of our backyard prior to excavation
Setting up multiple seating areas with lounge chairs, adirondack chairs or a small bistro set is a create way to fill a backyard patio on a budget.
You can find these wicker lounge chairs on sale from Wayfair . I have had these wicker lounge chairs for years and we do cover them at night to protect them from the rain and weather.
If you are looking for single outdoor wicker loungers, try these! They have an arm but are very similar and have fantastic reviews on Wayfair.
Flower beds or a garden with a bench are also a nice addition to any patio. They provide year round greenery , a backdrop when decorating your patio and a cute place to sit.
Small backyard patio ideas on a budget
If you have an apartment or you are limited on space, you can still implement many these patio ideas but you may need to pick smaller scale furniture. A bistro table with slim lined chairs like this one, is a great option for a smaller space. I also love this 2 person wicker seating chair set.
Add shade to your backyard patio. Whether you have a large or small patio, use an umbrella (ours is linked here) to cover your seating area. A pergola is also a nice addition to any patio to provide shade. I cannot say enough good things about our oversized umbrella.
This budget friendly cantilever umbrella at Walmart is also a great choice and I love the price!
Our backyard patio before:
I find that using indoor / outdoor area rugs to define seating areas an easy affordable way to decorate a patio. Here are some of my favorite indoor/outdoor rugs that will go with any patio furniture. I like this brown/gray rug in 6×9 (good size for a small sofa and 2 chairs) . I love this brown braided rug as well and it comes in a variety of colors and sizes.
Backyard concrete patio ideas on a budget
A concrete patio is an affordable alternative solution to pavers which are typically more expensive. Although, stamped concrete can also be pricey from what I have read. Our previous house had a concrete patio around the pool and ended up putting a textured coating on top of the original cement which helped preserve the original concrete and give the pool patio a modern makeover.
This is a picture of Jim’s old house and he had gorgeous concrete patio that wrapped around his cabana and pool area.
I like how he defined certain areas with pavers and concrete. You can see the paver patio with a fire pit and the border of horizontal pavers between the concrete patio area.
The concrete patio around the pool looks amazing and ties in nicely with the cabana area. You can see more of Jim’s yard and split level house tour by reading this post, “Jim’s split level house that sold for 80K over asking price.”
Looking for more backyard patio ideas on a budget, check out our pool design featuring potted hydrangeas & entertaining at our pool.
Don’t miss our classy patriotic patio setup (click here) (I’m showing you easy ways to decorate with red, white and blue) with the furniture completely switched around and a very cool 4th of July beverage station!
We updated our patio last summer and spread paver sand over the patio (after power washing) as the weeds were taking over so I am hoping this year, the weeds poking through will be minimal.
The unique metal planters I planned to use as trash cans lined with a trash bag for parties but they were too cute to not use all the time so they became planters.
At night ( I don’t have a picture) but we have string lights that run along the backside of the seating area and it’s so cozy with the ambient lighting.
Are you ready to shop the look? Click the images below to shop!
Related: Don’t miss this space featuring classy patriotic decor ideas for 4th of July and Memorial day!
Are you inspired to tackle your backyard patio, pool or deck and create your own resort style space?
The biggest expense is outdoor furniture and maybe a rug or two. Once those those are purchased, you will have them year after year so the fun little touches like, plants, greens and throw pillows are definitely more affordable each year.
Disclosure: I have included affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Read more about my affiliates on my disclosure page.
About The Author
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
Looks beautiful!!! I like the idea of using rugs to complete the areas. I have never used an outdoor rug. Do they hold up well and can they be cleaned by just hosing them down?
Beautiful! May everyone enjoy it to the fullest degree. All of you should be very proud of your accomplishments! TFS
It’s beautiful, Jess! You execute a vision so well!
Beautiful! You yards and patios look like a park.
Absolutely fabulous. A true show place. Be proud of all your hard work it was worth it!
I find those big clean up projects like power washing a great form of exercise. (I hate going to the gym.) I like my exercise to accomplish getting a project done and working out my body!
Beautiful transformation, enjoy!
It looks amazing!!!! I wish I had your talent of putting things together!
It looks fantastic!! What a lovely area to relax and spend time outside!
so pretty and inviting!…..Jacquelyn
It looks just beautiful and a perfect place to relax. Can you tell me where you got your rug, and what size it is? Were are also working on an outdoor space and I am having trouble finding a rug. thank you!
Can you tell me where you got your rug? I am working on an outdoor area as well and am having trouble finding a rug that is big enough. What are the dimensions of yours? It is all absolutely beautiful, and gives you many areas in which to hang and entertain. You have a gift!
Can you tell me where you got your rug as well as the dimensions? I am having trouble finding a rug for our outdoor area. Your space is beautiful and gives you lots of options for entertaining and just hanging out. You have a gift
Hi! The rug is from Dash and Albert and is an 8×10. You can find it here on Wayfair (affiliate link) http://bit.ly/2KiEgeS
Your place is gorgeous. Enjoy the beautiful outdoor space you created.
What a fabulous look,your hard work shows.
Just beautiful. I would suggest a rug with more color to anchor your furniture. Maybe that wouldn’t work for you. Please don’t use chemicals to kill the weeds and moss. You have a pool and the chemicals will migrate into the pool and your children will be walking on the pavers with chemicals. So many natural things you can use. They aren’t as strong but sure a lot safer.
You are a very talented lady.
Hi Diana! Thank you! I appreciate the tips 🙂