This post may contain affiliate links. These help support this website.
Today, we are sharing 11 cheap backyard ideas to create a dreamy inviting ambiance.
Since I was young, being outside has definitely been my favorite place to be. I was the tomboy who spent every single moment outside in the summer, even when the weather was over 100 degrees. All I needed was a nice shade tree, a snack, and something cold to drink, and I was good to go.
11 Cheap Backyard Ideas to Create a Dreamy Inviting Ambiance
My parents always had a beautiful backyard when I was growing up. I always felt like I was in a forest or on a vacation somewhere when I ventured outdoors.
The thing was, they never spent a ton of money either. They just made sure to add the right elements and keep everything well groomed.
The moment my husband and I bought a house, we couldn’t wait to work on the backyard. I wanted a place I could enjoy in the evenings, reading a book or have a place to relax and get away from the daily stresses of life.
All of these cheap backyard ideas are easy, affordable, and create the perfect inviting ambiance for you to enjoy! P.s – be sure to follow us on instagram for more backyard scenes 🙂
Add a corner garden
Remember this cheap corner garden from last year, that really upped the game for our yard. This year, the honeysuckle is overflowing and adds not only a pretty touch, but a beautiful smell during the summer! The whole thing cost about $20 to do!
Add some vines
Vines are so dreamy, in my opinion especially when they spill over a pathway. I love when they start creeping up a tree too. Plus, they are a great option for a place that doesn’t grow grass well or to cover a large area. Want to know a secret? I use faux plants in my backyard too! Everyone thinks they are all real. I combine fake and real vines 🙂
Add a pathway
This is one we are working on now! Pathways throughout a yard are so pretty, and they are great space fillers. You can make them with rock or concrete. We have made some with rocks from the yard for a totally free project. We also use concrete molds to create pathways.
Potted Flowers
Container gardens are my favorite way to add a dreamy ambiance. I am obsessed with hibiscus and have them all over my yard in pots. They really make you feel like you are in a tropical paradise! I just love them! Read all my hibiscus tips here to grow your own too!
Tall Potted Plants Make Great Cheap Backyard Ideas
Aside from flowers, tall potted plants like trees or monkey grass are also really awesome. They add a certain elegance to you yard or porch area. Instead of digging a hole and potting them, you can keep them in containers for easy care and to move around too.
Add a pergola
Pergola’s are pretty expensive, but we built out own last year. We just bought the wood and the stain. It took a few days to complete, but it instantly added a dreamy ambiance to the yard. People come over all the time and are blown away by how good the yard looks with it!
Porch swing
I know I show you this on Instagram all the time, but I love my porch swing more than anything. I spend a least once a day on it, if not more. We hung ours from the pergola, but they are perfect handing from the house too. Having a place to swing is the best, plus they really boost the feel of your yard. This is from last summer right after we built it…the bulldog loves it too 😉
String Lights
Lights are an absolute must. Last year I shared my favorite backyard elements and talked about some of my favorite lights. We have them hanging from the pergola and they are great at night.
Lanterns
Like string lights, lanterns are so pretty at night. I bought this vintage one and filled with string lights last year. We also bought these cheap ones you can see hanging in the picture above!
Bird baths
I love bird baths! They are great for birds, of course, but they are also great for planters or just beauty!
Trellis
I made this trellis last year and have added on it (you see it in the photo above) now since my roses keep growing. It is a great statement piece and perfect for vines, climbing roses, or any climbing plant. You can do almost anything with them too. We spray painted ours and outlined it with another thick wood. You can add trellis to a fence or wall, even against a tree.
You can make your own trellis or buy it. Either way, it is a very affordable option and looks so pretty!!
There are so many cheap backyard ideas to create a dreamy inviting ambiance! P.s – check out how I grow big, beautiful roses here.
Make sure to follow us on instagram for more of our backyard adventures this summer 🙂 And feel free to like Chemistry Cachet on Facebook, I love sharing beautiful outdoor projects that I find!
Follow on Facebook | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Hometalk
Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
Yes to all of this! Two of my favorite romantic/dreamy additions are vines and string lights! So perfect! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
They are such a perfect addition!!! They make the backyard so inviting! 🙂
I really wish we had a spot for a porch swing. As it is, I’m glad to have a free-standing hammock!
I was so happy when we built that pergola so we could finally have a porch swing! Hammocks are also wonderful! I always had one growing up, and it was the best 🙂
What a wonderful, enchanting backyard you have Alexis, with different corners/nooks and styles…! Your pictures/descriptions sound better than some of the spas I’ve been to! No wonder you spend so much time out there, communing with nature. Do you have speakers outdoors for music or do you listen to nature…?
We do have some speakers that we put on during the day if we are outside or if we have people over. When it is just me, I am all about the nature 🙂 I love having different little nooks for different feels! Thanks Laurie! Have a wonderful day!
These are excellent ideas! My plan for this weekend is to work on my back patio and add some greenery and accessories for some relaxing ambiance. I love those lights. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy adding some fun touches to your patio, that is always so much fun!
Love these ideas! My husband has been wanting to create a pathway, and I can’t wait to see what it adds to the back!
Green Fashionista
Pathways add some a neat touch to the yard! I love them!!
We are planning to buy a house next year but until then I am trying to do what I can to make our little balcony a bit more inviting. I’m thinking of stringing lights and adding a few potted plants. I just want to make sure the lights don’t look like I left Christmas lights up all year and I don’t want the potted plants to attract a lot of unsavory bugs. 🙁
Congrats on buying a home next year! Most of these tips I started using when I had a balcony at my apartment. I always love the globe lights in white…they definitely don’t look like Christmas lights, but look really sophisticated! I have never had my plants attract bugs, in fact, many of my flowers keep away mosquitos, etc. I live in Texas, so our biggest issue is FLIES in the summer. I keep some strong plants and citronella candles outside at all times 🙂
People like me always took having a back yard that one could play in for granted it was just the way it was I didn’t realise as a child that some people didn’t have backyards, when we moved here I was excited that we would have a backyard for the girls to play in as when I was first married we lived in a flat over shops.
It is always sad to see kids growing up without a backyard. I am the same way, I always had one as a child and it was my favorite thing!! I am glad you get to have one for your kids to play in 🙂
Your ideas are absolutely beautiful!!!
Thanks so much!
All of these are so beautiful! The second we move out of our apartment and I actually have a backyard, I’m definitely going to be turning it into a little oasis!
Thanks Shannon!! That was definitely my favorite part of buying our house…getting to make the backyard an awesome place to be 🙂
Everything looks great….here from Rattlebridge
Thanks so much!
We justfinished a back deck makover. I really want to get some of those outdoor lights. I love them!
How awesome! I bet it looks great. Those lights add such a great touch 🙂