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Looking for a productive way to spend some time at home? Why not tackle some satisfying and useful DIY projects to spruce up your backyard or patio space and essentially ‘add another room’ to your home.
With the days stretching out now that daylight savings is upon us and the weather warming up now is the perfect time to action plans for your dream backyard!
To get you started we’ve collated a stellar list of backyard renovation ideas:
1. Fire Pit
Whether your space is small or large, there’s always room for a fire pit to add some cosy to your backyard space – not to mention toasty marshmallows on a Saturday night! A fire pit will offer warmth on a spring evening, as well as charm and a sense of relaxation for the whole family. There are both built-in and free-standing options available with the cost from as little as $50 up to $1000s if you’re looking to build something into a permanent space. Whatever you decide, just don’t forget the marshmallows! Check out these 27 inspiring fire pit ideas.
2. Add a Patio Area
Got a space in the backyard that is underutilised? Why not add your very own patio area for kicking back with the family and enjoying the spring sunshine or the warmth from your very own DIY firepit – see what we did there?
If you’re on a tight budget consider paving an area, as opposed to expensive concrete, or choosing one of the many low cost, easy maintenance DIY options when it comes to materials. Think outside the box, and reduce the planning, preparation and hard work by but using gravel over weed block matting over an underutilised corner of your backyard.
Your patio renovation can be as small or as grand as you like, and there are ideas for all budgets. Consider a shady corner - or afternoon sunny locale with a nice view looking back to your home. The choice is yours. Check out these 50 awe inspiring patio ideas.
3. Revamp Your Patio Seating
Already got a patio area in your backyard. Consider giving it a patio makeover or even just revamping the seating with a fresh lick of paint or revamped cushion covers with new season materials. Also think about changing your seating structure from individual seating to benches, or even bean bags or a hammock. Even a good sanding and staining for your aged wooden setting will bring your space to life.
New cushion or seat covers can be relatively inexpensive, particularly if you’re a handy sewer, and you can spend a little or a lot of bean bags and bench seats. A DIY timber bench seat could be an ideal weekend project for the whole family. Get your creative juices flowing with these awesome DIY patio seating projects.
4. Backyard Movie Projector Screen
If you’re like us, then you’ll be missing the local cinema and maybe you’ve also overdone the TV over these past few months in lockdown?
Why not install your very own backyard movie projector to ensure you’re not missing your favourite shows or latest flicks, but in a completely new location – without leaving your backyard. You can use a sheet, or curtain for your screen or if you’re looking for a very cool weekend DIY project, you could make your own.
5. Revamp your cubby or tree house.
Kids’ tree house looking a little tired and in need of a makeover? This is a great weekend DIY project to get the whole family involved. You could repaint the walls – inside and out – or make new curtains to give your cubby or tree house a whole new lease on life. Check out some awesome cubby house ideas the kids will love.
Don’t have a tree house or cubby?
Also, if the kids are keen for a treehouse and you don’t have any large trees in your backyard, don’t stress as there are loads of options within your reach. Use a standalone platform to create a cubby house and rope the kids in to give you a hand. Check out this creative solution for a treehouse without the tree here.
6. What about a hammock?
Hammocks are a great way to spend more time outdoors and can be the ideal place to escape outside and curl up with a pet or good book if the sun is shining! Hammocks can be easily (and quite economically purchased online) and hung between two existing trees in your yard, but what if you don’t have any trees in your backyard. Simple. Make your own hammock stand. It’s actually easier than you think, and you can source all the intel you need here.
7. DIY Flower or Veggie or planter box
There’s never been a better time to grow your own veggies or pretty up your garden with flowers to enhance your backyard.
Making your own planter box is easy, as well as super helpful and practical. A DIY planter box can be made and shifted around your backyard to best suit what you're growing. Tomatoes love the sun and also keeping herbs and veggies close to the house allows you to keep a close eye on them to prevent them being neglected and left to the heat and garden pests of the warmer months. Start your love affair with with these 20 DIY planter box ideas and you’ll be well on the way to enjoying your summer harvest.
