Summer is the season for enjoying everything outdoors and under the sun. It’s a time for backyard parties, family picnics, and lots of dreamy hammock lounging. You don’t need a zip code in the Hamptons or oceanfront abode in Big Sur to create your own backyard paradise worthy of a magazine spread; all you need is some good old-fashioned DIY motivation and, of course, this handy on-trend guide!
50+ Brilliant Must-Try Backyard Projects for your Home
The following 50+ DIY backyard projects are not only a breeze to accomplish but make for truly enjoyable summertime ventures. From repurposed patio furniture to handmade hanging lights, and even a bespoke fire pit or two, these DIY backyard projects are sure to inspire, as well as garner more than a few compliments from friends and neighbors. With easy to find materials–many of which you may already have on hand–and infinite possibilities, now is the time to make summer memories the right way: in style.
1. DIY Horizontal Slat Privacy Fence
A privacy fence can create a stunning backdrop for your yard. This horizontal slat fence features tall, wood stained fence panels, gorgeous planters, and string lights. It’s the perfect addition to any outdoor space to not only add privacy but also add personality and flair. You can also save so much money by building it yourself, not to mention save on continuous landscaping.
2. DIY Privacy Screen to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space
Having a little privacy, especially in your backyard deck helps you feel more relaxed and secluded from the rest of the world. While adding a fence can help break up the barrier, a privacy wall can be a great cost-effective alternative and can be built yourself with just a few materials. This beautiful wood privacy wall adds warmth and with the added planters, it gives off a mini oasis feel.
3. A Unique and Creative Stock Tank Backyard Pool
Stay cool all summer long with this brilliant, unique stock tank pool. A stock tank pool is essentially a round, galvanized steel pool. They are a fun and inexpensive way to put a pool in your backyard without all the hassle. They also don’t take up much space and can sit on a deck, patio, or even just placed in your yard. You can even give it a nice paint job to match your existing outdoor décor. This pool gives off that down-home, farmhouse connection we all know and love.
4. A Tranquil Solar Fountain on a Budget
Create a fountain from scratch to give your backyard a calming, tranquil feel. A water feature can truly transform your outdoor space and give it a charming, more welcoming vibe. Since fountains and ponds can get pretty pricey, this is a brilliant cost-saving approach that you can easily do yourself. This stunning and creative DIY solar fountain will instantly make you feel like you’re on vacation every time you step outside.
5. DIY Wooden Garden Hose Stand
Let your garden hose hang in style with this creative and functional holder. A garden hose is an essential tool for your outdoor space whether you are watering your grass or garden or using it for spraying down your driveway or washing your car. This simple DIY garden hose stand will keep your hose stored and out of the way all year round.
6. Gorgeous DIY Wooden Gate Project
There may not be anything more iconic in a garden than a gate that leads you right to it. Garden gates can welcome your guests right into your backyard oasis without having to use the front door. Whether you are looking to hide an unattractive side of your backyard, close in a fenced backyard to just want to add a point of entrance, a wooden gate is the perfect DIY backyard project.
7. A Simple DIY Pergola Swing for Your Patio
There is something so relaxing and gracious about having a pergola in your yard. This is a weekend project that you can easily build using reclaimed or repurposed wood making this a very inexpensive, but gorgeous project. This free-standing pergola for your patio features a swing that makes this outdoor space so peaceful and soothing. Leave your new DIY pergola as is for a more minimalist look or decorate it with a few potted flowers to add in a pop of color.
8. A Gravel Patio That’s Easy and Affordable
Finding an affordable patio solution can be difficult, time-consuming, and expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. This gorgeous patio was built in a day and features gravel instead of the traditional cement or pavers we’ve been seeing. You can save a ton of money by adding gravel instead of the more traditional patio materials, which makes this DIY project more appealing. Surrounding the gravel with lumber adds style and dimension to this space and makes it look much more expensive without the expense.
9. A Backyard Paver Patio the Entire Family Will Enjoy
Warm weather means lots of time spent outdoors soaking in the sunshine and enjoying the company of friends and family. A backyard patio paver is a DIY project the whole family will enjoy. While this is a very detailed project, with a few helping hands you can easily achieve this same gorgeous outdoor space. The stone fireplace and floating wood benches are a bonus to this comfy cozy space.
10. Charming and Cozy Fire Pit Patio Feature
Fire pits are a lovely way to add charm, coziness, and relaxation to your backyard. You also don’t need a lot of space to create this cozy scene. Determine what shape you want your patio and you’re already on your way to building the perfect fire pit patio that shouldn’t take a lot of time or money to build yourself. Before you know it, you and your guests will be relaxing fireside sharing stories and roasting marshmallows.
11. Build Your Own Rustic Rock Firepit
Whether you want to cook your food over an open fire or cozy up to it with blankets on a cool night, firepits make a great addition to your backyard. This lovely rustic firepit was a do-it-yourself project using rocks from around the house, concrete mix, water, and a trowel. Once you know what shape you want your firepit, measure how big you want it and start building!
12. A Weatherproof Outdoor Chalkboard the Kids Will Love
What child wouldn’t love an outdoor chalkboard like this one? This weatherproof, durable outdoor chalkboard was built with a wooden stand and on a sandbox, they already had in their yard. This is a great way to add height to any area of your backyard. You could even attach it to your fence for an even easier DIY. Add a hook and a cup to hold the chalk in and your kids can go to town creating beautiful art right in their backyard.
13. Transform Your Backyard by Adding a Patio
Bring your backyard to life by building a patio all on your own. Building your patio can be achieved on a small budget and by following just a few simple steps. Take your grassy backyard, to a place where you can now sit back, relax, and enjoy the great outdoors. Not to worry if space is limited. A small patio can pack a mighty punch when it comes to upgrading and enhancing your outdoor space.
14. A Super Simple DIY Wire Trellis
Trellises are a great addition to any garden. You can use them to train and support plants, create a privacy wall, or simply add style and personality to your outdoor space. They’re also great space savers and focal points. Although you can use a variety of materials for this DIY project, this wire trellis was made using fence posts and galvanized steel wire.
15. A Stunning Patio Paver Area You Can Do Yourself
Looking to install a paver patio? This low cost, easy maintenance DIY can be created with a variety of materials. This stunning patio uses stone pavers, which is much easier to lay than concrete but with the same look. There are so many design ideas when it comes to designing your patio like placing a table and chairs on top for family gatherings, adding a stone fireplace for cool cozy nights, or even both.
16. Backyard Getaway Pergola Project
Your favorite backyard builder can put together this beautiful pergola for your garden. The graceful lines of this pergola will complement your yard and provide a great space for a dining table or a shady seating area. Having a pergola will give your yard an awesome focal point and impress your guests.
17. Caribbean Blue Crochet Hammock
It’s much easier than it seems to make a DIY crocheted hammock chair. All you need are dowels, macramé cord, rope, and some basic woodworking tools. Macramé is similar to knitting, but you do it with your hands. This chair will provide a comfortable, breezy place to sit and enjoy your yard.
18. Rustic Druidic DIY Fire Pit
Building a fire pit can be done in just six easy steps. All you need is a fully dug-out hole in your yard, fire bricks, gravel, and paving stones. This fire pit project can easily be done in one weekend. For safety’s sake, make sure you clear the grass for several inches around your fire pit. Enjoy your fire pit with s’mores on a cool night.
19. Cedar & Cement Garden Bench
You can make this stylish and simple outdoor bench with cinder blocks and 4 X 4 wood posts. Assemble the sides of your bench with concrete adhesive. Paint the blocks. Sand the wood and feed it through the holes in the cinder blocks. This bench is great for the patio or at your poolside.
20. Summer Splendor Awning Style Canopy
This beautiful awning style canopy is lit with elegant candles and globe lights. This canopy provides a centerpiece to your backyard and provides a peaceful place to sit and have an outdoor meal with your guests. This canopy is attached to your house for safety. The graceful curtains at the sides bring the canopy extra style.
21. Lawn Party Luxury Table With Inlaid Icebox
This awesome patio table has an exciting feature: built-in ice boxes. Your guests can reach for a cold drink without even having to get up from the table. There are covers for the ice boxes so you can use the table by itself. The table has two long benches for comfortable seating.
22. Floating Island Outdoor Deck
Make a shady oasis for your yard by surrounding trees with an island deck. This is a simple project for an experienced woodworker. This is a great place to put flowers, as well as comfortable cushions for dreaming the day away. This novel project will set your backyard apart from the everyday.
23. Road To Rome Stone Walkway
Use concrete molds available at the home improvement store to make your own distinctive paving stones. These stones have a charming, historical look that hearkens back to ancient times. You can make the paving stones in place by pouring the concrete, leveling it, and carefully lifting the mold off.
24. DIY Stone Serenity Pond
Accent your yard with the relaxing sight and sound of flowing water. You can build a DIY pond in your yard using a small pool liner. Build up the sides of the pond with fieldstone and create a waterfall. Surround your pond with beautiful plantings. Your new pond will make a stunning accent to your backyard.
25. Sailor’s Knot Rope Seats
Old tires can easily be made into comfortable outdoor ottomans. Simply wrap the tires in rope to make a seating surface, then coil rope around them for a fun, nautical look. This is a fantastic way to reuse something that may be taking up space in your garage.
26. Midsummer Night Fairy Garden
Make this adorable fairy garden in an oversized planter. This is an excellent project to do with a child. Find a miniature park bench, a little bird feeder dish, some stones, and a bounty of beautiful flowers. Let your child decide how to lay the garden out to attract magical fairies.
27. Gardener’s Helper Planter Box & Hose Holder
This pretty wooden planter hides a coiled garden hose. It saves space and is much more attractive than a plastic hose winder. The hinged door in the front opens to take the hose out for use. There is a hole in the back for the end of the hose that attaches to the outdoor spigot.
28. Country Cosmos Handmade Grapevine Balls
Grapevine balls are a stylish way to hang fairy lights in your yard. Grapevine is fairly easy to work with at home. All you need to do is soften it in water to bend it into the shape you want. Wind the grapevine into a large ball and cover it with fairy lights. Hang the grapevine balls from a tree for a fun and stylish look.
29. Freestanding Circular Stone Island
Making a backyard patio doesn’t have to be complicated. This project has an unusual, eye-catching shape to bring visual interest to your backyard. Dig a circular area for your patio and add paving stones. Surround the paving stones with gravel. Add chairs and a fire pit to make a comfortable seating area.
30. Picturesque Outdoor Planter “Lamp Posts”
Use barrel planters in a novel way by placing “lamp posts” in them. Hang gorgeous flowering baskets from the posts, and fill the bottom planters with annuals. A row of these posts can set off the edge of your patio area and make a divider between it and the lawn.
31. Planted Poetry Garden Wall Lettering
Moss letters are growing on the brick wall in this backyard. This exciting project will have all of your friends wondering how you did it. Pick a cool and shady corner to grow your moss letters. Make a moss blend with beer, sugar, and moss. Paint it onto your wall in the letter shapes you want. This project will definitely be noticed.
32. Joshua Tree Fire Pit Corner
This contemporary bench wraps around the side of a stone fire pit. The geometric look gives your yard a stylish update. In the same stone as the fire pit, build pillars for the end of your benches. Add lighting under the benches for an attractive appearance and extra safety at night.
33. Tuscan Shelter Slide-Wire Canopy
Adding an extra touch to the basic wooden pergola, this project has integrated wires to make it easy to slide a cloth canopy for extra shade. The canopy is made from sail fabric or durable outdoor fabric. The canopy will add extra value to your pergola and make it a more inviting place to spend time on a sunny day.
34. Planted Posy Outdoor Umbrella Stand
This easy project adds a shady patio umbrella to a basic whiskey barrel planter. All you need to do is to pour concrete in the base of your planter and then add the umbrella stand. This umbrella stand planter gives your yard a nice shady area for a chair so you can relax without getting too much sun.
35. Bourgeois-On-A-Budget Solar Light Chandelier
This upcycled chandelier replaces bulbs with solar lights from the dollar store. You won’t have to deal with electrical wiring or candles when you use solar lights for your chandelier. Simply remove the wiring and secure the solar lights where the bulbs used to be. Your new chandelier will make a lovely nighttime accent to your garden.
36. Petite Treeless Tree House
You don’t need a tree to make an adorable “treehouse” for your children to play in. Put the “treehouse” on a platform instead. You can paint the inside to make it festive and add bright striped curtains to the front. This playhouse is attractive and will keep your kids busy all summer.
37. DIY Crafter’s Hammock Stand
If you don’t have trees to hang your hammock from, build this easy DIY hammock stand. Any home woodworker should be able to tackle this project. The stand is made from 2 X 4s for inexpensive, sturdy construction. This design is just as attractive as store-bought hammock stands at a fraction of the price.
38. Corner Jardin Pea Gravel Patio
Instead of digging out the area for a pea gravel patio, just put weed block fabric over the ground you wish to cover. This makes patio construction much easier and speeds up your project so you can enjoy your upgraded backyard. Add a grill, chairs, and a table for an attractive dining area.
39. Chevron-Patterned Wooden Piecework Box
Use various kinds of upcycled wood to make these chevron pattern planter boxes. You can paint the wood before you make the box, or leave it as is for a rustic touch. These boxes are a nice change from the traditional wooden planter boxes that are available at the home improvement store.
40. Chic Grecian Urn Style Plant Stands
Use wooden stands to transform the look of simple resin planters from the home improvement store. For an extra stylish look, paint the feet of the planter in the same shade as the resin. Make two heights of planters for a visually interesting look. Fill them with gorgeous blooms.
41. Cottage Garden Planter’s Stand
If you need a planter’s stand, construct this easy DIY version at home. This planter is in a sweet and charming cottage style to complement the décor of your backyard. This makes a practical accent to your yard. You’ll use it frequently to repot flowers. You can also use it for outdoor meal prep and serving dishes.
42. Stringing Night Lights Outdoor Poles
It’s simple to place light poles in planters. This DIY hack gives your backyard a charming look day and night. Garden lighting is trendy and makes your guests feel comfortable. Try accenting your seating area with these light poles. You can choose from many different styles of lights, from simple fairy lights to globe pendants.
43. Sweet and Shabby Handwoven Burlap Lampshades
Make your own DIY burlap lampshade and bring a little bit of shabby chic design outdoors. All you need to do is find a square basket, perhaps a wastebasket, or a lampshade you would like to repurpose. Cover the basket with woven strips of burlap for a cute and charming look.
44. Big Sur Style Fire Pit
This classic fire pit is easy to put together in a weekend. Use a metal fire pit ring and surround it with basic paving stones. Try finding different styles of paving stones to make this look your own. This makes a safe, attractive fire pit that will be the centerpiece of your backyard on cool summer evenings.
45. Stripped Down Steamer Style Outdoor Trunk
This stylish louvered style deck box will bring your yard a touch of elegance while holding all of your backyard items. It’s great for pool cushions, garden items, and toys. An experienced woodworker would be able to put this project together in one weekend. You can paint or stain it for the look you want.
46. Yard Yacht DIY Wire Railing
Give your deck railing a nautical update with this wire railing. It’s an easy way to add updated style to your deck while providing a railing that is safe enough for kids and pets. Simply drill holes in your deck posts to thread the wire through. Give it a new coat of paint and your deck is ready for a fun summer.
47. DIY Pacific Patio Pool
This novel project will give your yard an impressive update. Use a large metal tub from the farm store for your pool. Add a filtering system behind the fence and make a waterfall that provides beautiful sound. This little pool is great for a cooling dip on a hot summer afternoon.
48. Personal Cabana-On-Wheels Wooden Bar
An outdoor bar cart is a much-needed feature in your patio area. You could buy one, but it’s more economical and more fun to build your own. You can also add neat features like a covered icebox for cold drinks. This cart would also make a great place to hold cooking essentials while you grill for your guests.
50. Simple Nostalgic DIY Rope Swing
Make this traditional child’s swing for your yard. It’s easy with a few simple tools. Drill holes in the seat for the rope, and hang the swing from a sturdy limb. This swing will give your kids a low-tech way to enjoy the backyard and help them make lasting memories.
51. Grilled To Perfection Stackable Stone Counter Wedge
Make this impressive grill surround with faux stone panels. It will look like an expensive built-in stone counter. Add a granite top for an elegant and practical work surface next to your grill. This project will definitely be noticed. It will be a great centerpiece for your outdoor dining.
52. Uptown-Downtown DIY Patio Upholstery
Over time, patio cushions lose their brightness and can even become worn. Update your old and tired patio cushions with new upholstery. You can choose a fun and stylish new fabric for your project. It does take some basic sewing skills to make this project work. You will save a lot of money by reupholstering your cushions, rather than buying new ones.
53. Repurposed “Living Room” Patio Sofa
This minimalist outdoor sofa makes a comfortable addition to your patio or backyard. The base of the sofa is done in wood, though it is painted to look like stone. This is a handsome sofa in an updated style. Choose gray paint and black cushions for a sleek look, or you can dress this project up by painting it in any color you wish.
54. Flowering Hen House Chicken Wire Display
This DIY vertical garden is made from chicken wire for a fun, quirky touch. It’s simple to build and provides much needed greenery to any corner of your backyard. This is a fun alternative to a traditional fence if you want a little privacy when you are outdoors. Hang pretty flower pots on the wire. It would also make a great kitchen herb garden.
56. Sardinian Stone & Wooden Slab Bench
A simple stone bench provides a place to sit or a place to put your favorite plants. The bench is held up by plain, oversized stones with weathered edges for a rustic look. Add a plank across the top for seating or for a shelf. You can make this match your paving stones or contrast it.
