Get Creative With These Wallet-Friendly Outdoor Decor Ideas (2024)

Lucky enough to have a backyard to call your very own? Then you'll definitely want to make the most of the space and keep it top of mind the next time you're looking to scratch that design itch. We're here to help you get started with some extra creative backyard decor ideas. After all, with warmer days right around the corner, now is the perfect time to ensure that your backyard is in tip-top shape for the spring and summer.

Whether you're looking to take on a simple DIY project (like painting a patio wall) or are more of a shopper and prefer to hit the stores in search of a trendy patio set or new outdoor furniture, we've rounded up excellent decor ideas for you. Note that it's easy to take your outdoor space to the next level without spending much, either. Many of the following ideas are budget-friendly and will last in your pretty patio or yard for seasons on end. We're also sharing ideas for those looking to incorporate more green friends into the yard, up their hosting game and much more. You may be surprised at how much of an impact something like a new set of planters or a bar tray can have on your outdoor setup.

No matter if you've got a large or small backyard, get ready to have a blast in the space this spring and summer. Just don't be surprised when your friends don't want to head home!

Don't be afraid to go moody when picking a paint color for the patio walls, particularly if you plan to hang a TV out there. This dark gray shade, selected by Lindsie Davis at Blueberry Jones Design, looks sophisticated while helping to camouflage the black box.

Recover an outdoor sofa that needs a bit of a revamp using a fabric that inspires you. This peppy print that Ashley Macuga of Collected Interiors chose is welcoming and full of fun. Just be sure to select a performance fabric that can withstand the elements and not fade in the sun.

For a storied look in the backyard, weave in some antiqued-looking plant pots in the yard for that perfect vintage touch. Anastasia Casey of The Interior Collective scattered together a group of vessels on the ground and incorporated some smaller pieces onto her tablescape.

Keep gardening supplies and decorative pieces on a small outdoor-friendly bookshelf that complements the colors of your patio, as illustrated by designer Emily LaMarque of Emily LaMarque Design Studio.

Bar carts can also make excellent side tables, as seen here in this space by Suzette Donleavy, the founder of Well Designed Interiors. When you're hosting friends for co*cktails, you can switch things out so that these pieces serve their intended function, but we have to admit they look great solely with vases and candles, too!

Who says you have to stick to just one design when shopping for outdoor pillows? Create a playful arrangement like this setup from Susan Cohan of Susan Cohan Gardens. Just mix and match various patterns for a collected effect.

To freshen up this Santa Barbara, CA, patio, Taylor Anne Bliss of Taylor Anne Interiors chose to anchor it with a striped umbrella. "A whimsical umbrella surrounded by a neutral palette gives life to any small patio space," Bliss says.

For a cozy layout that sparks conversation, go for a round seating arrangement. Take note from Ryan and Kate Gross of Kate Anne Design and hang bamboo lanterns with dimmable bulbs to enhance the space.

Don’t let cool nights keep you inside. Gather around an outdoor fireplace or fire table with "all three sets of chairs facing inward," says Christine Vroom of Christine Vroom Interiors.

Lean into the summer season by arranging dining furniture right at the water’s edge. To create the ultimate retreat, choose pieces made of natural materials, like a weather-treated, all-wood table with chairs, that blend well with the surrounding greenery.

You can build a simple outdoor bar on a budget from 4x4 wood pieces and a treated-lumber top. Inject pops of color, advises designer Maggie Griffin to "balance the expanse of wood tones and draw the eye from the interior of the home to the exterior living areas seamlessly."