41 Easy DIY Patio Ideas & Tutorials: On A Budget

Adding lighting to your patio is one of the best ways to makeover your patio on a budget.

Check out how they got the poles for the string lights to stay anchored on their brick patio area. It’s both creative and aesthetically pleasing.

If you’ve got a small patio, then a vertical garden is the perfect solution for adding greenery to your space.

Instead of placing a potted plant on the ground, build lots of them going up. Visit A Life Unfolding for the tutorial details.

This gravel garden is a combination of a patio and garden!

The 5" deep gravel prevents weeds from coming up –without needing landscape fabric. Which makes this 80% less maintenance than a regular garden bed! It is an extension of a paver patio. Such a great way to utilize the space!

It amazes me that people can make outdoor furniture, or any furniture for that matter, that looks like it came straight from the store.

Head on over to the DIY tutorial to see how to make this modern outdoor patio chair.

While this flagstone path was made as a garden walkway, it's a great option for a patio.

You can choose to do moss in between the flagstone pavers like we did, or add paver sand and gravel instead. Flagstone really adds a lot of charm to a space and is a great project to DIY instead of hiring out.

Don’t you love this geometric wall art? And can you believe it can be made for cheap!

Check out the tutorial at At Lane and High so you can see how you can make your own patio wall art.

Well, this might not fit into the easy project category, but it was a complete and total makeover.

The new concrete pavers completely modernize the space and the patio is now completely safe after replacing the old pavers that were caving in.

The detailed, step by step instructions in this tutorial will be a big help.

And don’t forget, patios require cleaning from time to time. And this article will show you the best way to clean your paver patio– without a pressure washer!

If you are looking for an easier alternative to a paver patio, then a patio with a pea gravel base material might be the right choice for you.

This type of patio will take several steps less than a gravel paver patio to make.

But if you’ve got a lot of slope or soil drainage issues, then you’re going to want to opt for the paver patio tutorial above this one.

This pea gravel patio is a good choice if you’ve got well draining soil, and somewhat of a relatively flat surface to begin with.

Paint those old adirondack chairs in bold, bright colors for a complete patio furniture refresh.

Here's a unique piece of patio decoration. This lighted twig piece sits on a floating concrete base.

The LED fairy lights are solar powered, so no cords to trip over. Check out the DIY tutorial.

Customize your own concrete pavers for cheap! These patio pavers were made with an easy to find material and can be made in a day! No silicone or rubber mold materials needed.

What an ingenious way to create an outdoor rug that is mildew free! It also gives you tons of flexibility in size and even shape.

I’m not going to give away the secret, you’ll have to click to check out the DIY tutorial.

Here’s a great way to transform a large backyard. The addition of the brick patio, side garden beds and a raised vegetable garden made a world of difference!

Add an easy-to-make planter box using cheap concrete blocks! This one flanks a DIY cinder block bench.

This is a way to get comfortable seating in your outdoor space. Check out the tutorial for how to make these durable outdoor pillows.

Make patio furniture on a budget, using pallets! This is one of the more clever cheap patio ideas I’ve seen, plus it really is a simple DIY project. Check out the tutorial for how to make your own patio sofa.

Here’s a simple project that will go a long way. These mason jar centerpieces will add a fresh look to any rustic patio.

If you like the pallet couch, here you can see the rest of what they did over at The Boondocks Blog. There’s several clever decorating hacks you may be interested in. 

A simple outdoor bench with wooden boards is the perfect piece of patio furniture.

You can cut the boards down to adjust for size. Add cushions and candles to add extra ambiance.

It’s amazing how far a fresh coat of paint can go. Using a milk can to make this patio table was a great idea. Check out the tutorial for the material details.

Yes, you can spray paint plastic and have it last, but there’s a few tricks.

If you follow the tips in this tutorial, you’ll see how to use a can of spray paint to get a fresh look for your patio.

This awesome tongue and groove porch ceiling was a great addition to this porch.

It really makes such a difference and was pretty light on the budget, considering the transformation. 

A cinder block planter wall is a great way to make great use of vertical space.

You can build an architectural living wall on your patio just by stacking cinder blocks. Catch all the details in this tutorial.

Okay, maybe not the easiest DIY project, but it still is worth a mention due to the cost savings from repurposing the wood.

This outdoor seating is totally custom and can fit any size patio space. Check out the tutorial at Designed Decor. 

Here’s a creative idea for a patio coffee table or a side table using thrift store items.

With a couple of power tools, you can make formal furnishings for your patio too.

Here are several steps you can take to give a refresh to a worn wooden deck or porch, along with a few other tips for creating a beautiful outdoor space.

A private outdoor living space really makes an incredible difference. It feels so much cozier when you feel like no one else is around.

The beautiful privacy wall is made to allow for the hanging of potted plants.

This is a slightly different twist on a painted patio umbrella.

In addition to paint, add decorative elements for extra visual interest.

This beautiful patio was created by staining wood, adding lighting and textiles. And this set up works great for someone with a small backyard.

Check out Making Manzanita for their best tips and tricks for recreating this space in your yard.

Patio wine bottle fairy lights! These have decorative cement bases to help weigh them down in stormy weather.

These outdoor decor lamps are so cute and whimsical, they will add charm to any patio and are also great for lining garden paths.

Here’s a simple and straightforward way to add some color to your patio with paint, tape and an old rug.

When you see the before and after photos, you’ll see what a difference this outdoor rug makes.

Make curtains the easy way. Use inexpensive materials to add some texture to your patio.

Curtains don’t need to be pricey, with a few clever hacks, you can do this for cheap.

I just love this idea. Hang on to that BBQ grill that stops working so you can transform it into a patio cart!

How great is that? You can use it in your outdoor dining area to make serving easier.

This is a thrifty way to create a show-stopping container display –perfect for patios.

Here’s a great and easy solution for revitalizing a concrete patio slab.

Add some visual interest with this special patio paint to freshen up your patio.

These fun mason jar decorations make great focal points on any patio or porch.

For a quick DIY, head on over to Crafts By Amanda.

If you have rattan furniture in disrepair, here’s a tutorial that will save you the cost of having to buy new furniture to replace it.

Simple solar lights will make your evenings aglow with a warm ambience.

Deck rail lighting is functional and aesthetically appealing in an outdoor space and one of those important backyard patio ideas rhat also adds curb appeal to your home.

Let’s face it, sooner or later that patio umbrella is going to fade.

This time, don’t throw it away. Make it look as good as new with paint. It’s a great way to save money, and transform your patio space.

Here’s another creative DIY idea for making curtains for your patio or porch.

You’ll need a sewing machine for this one, but it will be worth it. 

Decorate your backyard patio with lots of color with these easy to make batik flags.

The colors and designs are limitless for these beautiful porch decorations.

Think outside the box when it comes to outdoor furniture projects. There are plenty of chairs and tables you can make.

But how about making a potting bench to add charm to your patio and a whole lot of functionality.

If woodworking isn’t your thing, but you need a side table, then perhaps this concrete side table is the perfect project for you.

Using concrete is a great way to make your own furniture on a small budget and when you don’t own a lot of power woodworking tools.