Our backyard was a total disaster when we first moved into our home. You may not believe, but for three whole summers, I avoided inviting friends over for barbecues because I was honestly embarrassed about our outdoor space.
Then last spring, I decided enough was enough. Why should we have this gorgeous chunk of land behind our house if we never use it? So my husband and I started researching simple additions we could make without breaking our budget or requiring professional landscapers.
The transformation has been amazing! Our backyard went from the space we avoided to the place where we spend every possible minute. The kids play outside more, we eat dinner on the patio several nights a week, and I’ve even started hosting those barbecues I avoided for years.
I wanted to share some of the backyard additions that made the biggest difference for us, in case you’re staring out your window right now thinking “there’s got to be a way to make this space better.”
10 Simple Backyard Addition Ideas
Before diving into specific ideas, remember that your backyard should reflect what your family loves. Our neighbors installed a huge vegetable garden because they love cooking with fresh produce. We focused more on creating areas for relaxing and entertaining because that’s what makes us happy. There’s no wrong answer here!
All these ideas can be done on different budgets and scaled up or down depending on your space.
Add a Water Feature
My absolute favorite addition to our backyard has been our small fountain. There’s something magical about the sound of running water that instantly makes any space feel more relaxing.
We started with a tiny pre-made fountain from the garden center that cost about $150. It took us less than an hour to set up, and the impact was immediate! The birds came first, then butterflies, then my stress levels dropped every time I sat near it.
If you’re handy, you can build something custom. My neighbor Brand, created a gorgeous stream with river rocks that winds through his garden. He spent a weekend on it and says it was his “most rewarding DIY project ever.”
For beginners, I recommend the plug-and-play fountains. They come with everything included and require zero expertise. Just place it where you want, fill with water, plug it in, and voila! Instant backyard upgrade.
Add a Backyard Fence
When we first moved in, our backyard blended right into the neighbors’ yards without any clear boundary. It felt weird to be grilling while watching Mr. Thompson trim his hedges ten feet away.
Adding a fence was a game-changer for privacy. Plus, it gave us a canvas to hang planters and string lights! We chose a wooden fence because it warmed up the space and created a cozy feeling.
Don’t worry, it’s not that complicated as it seems, a local professional installer like Cox Fence can walk you through the options based on your needs and budget.
My friend Niah, went with a living fence using fast-growing arborvitae trees. They took a few years to fill in completely but cost much less than traditional fencing.
If you have small children or pets, a fence is necessary. Our dog Luke stopped trying to visit everyone in the neighborhood once we installed ours, which was a relief for everyone involved.
Add Flower Beds
Flower beds were my gateway drug into gardening obsession. I started with one small bed along our fence, and now they’re everywhere! They soften the edges of your yard and add color that changes with the seasons.
Start small with one area that gets good sun. You don’t need to go crazy buying plants right away. I began with just five coneflowers and three black-eyed Susans in my first bed. They’ve divided so many times I’ve had to give plants away to friends!
My husband and I made our newest flower bed last summer, with knockout roses. We laid out a garden hose in the shape we wanted, then used it as a guide to cut the edge with a spade. Some cardboard topped with mulch killed the grass underneath, and by fall we were ready to plant.
Remember to choose flowers that bloom at different times so you aren’t left with an empty-looking bed after spring. I plant daffodils and tulips for spring, coneflowers and daisies for summer, and asters and mums for fall.
Create an Outdoor Living Space
The biggest transformation for our backyard was carving out a proper living space. Before, we had a couple of plastic chairs scattered around. Now we have a defined area with actual comfortable seating where we can relax.
You don’t need fancy furniture to make this work. We started with an outdoor rug (got ours on clearance for $40) to define the space. Then we added seating gradually as our budget allowed.
Last year we splurged on a porch swing that hangs from our big oak tree. It’s now the most fought-over spot in the yard! The kids read books there, my husband and I have coffee there on weekend mornings, and our teenager even brings her homework out there sometimes.
According to a survey by the American Society of Landscape Architects, outdoor living spaces are the most requested backyard feature, with 96% of homeowners wanting some version of this. So we’re definitely not alone in seeing the value!
Design a Patio
We held off on building a patio for years because we thought it would be super expensive. Turns out there are options for every budget!
Our neighbors laid their own brick patio one weekend, and while it wasn’t perfectly level, it looks charming and cost them under $300 for materials.
We went with a simple concrete patio that we stained a warm terracotta color. The whole project cost us about $800 with materials and equipment rental, which felt like a steal compared to the quotes we got from contractors.
The biggest advice I can give about patios? Make it bigger than you think you need. We added two extra feet to our original plan, and I’m so glad we did! There’s room for the grill, a dining table, and still space for the kids to move around.
Create a Roof With Patio
Adding some kind of roof over part of our patio extended the time we can use our backyard by months! Now spring showers and hot summer sun don’t force us indoors.
We installed a simple pergola kit and covered it with outdoor fabric that we can take down in winter. The whole setup cost about $500 and took a weekend to build.
My sister went fancier with a permanent roof extension from her house, but that required permits and professional help. Our DIY approach suits us just fine.
The unexpected benefit? Our patio furniture is lasting way longer now that it’s protected from the elements. What used to get replaced every two years is now going on four years without issues.
Get Outdoor Furniture
Good outdoor furniture makes all the difference between a backyard you use and one you don’t. We learned this the hard way after spending three summers with uncomfortable chairs that nobody wanted to sit in for more than 15 minutes.
Look for pieces that can withstand your climate. In our rainy area, metal frames with quick-drying cushions work best. My cousin in Arizona needs furniture that won’t get super hot in direct sun.
And don’t forget about storage! We have a small deck box that holds cushions during bad weather. It doubles as extra seating when we have a lot of guests over.
My favorite find was our secondhand picnic table that I refurbished with outdoor paint. It cost $50 from a neighbor who was moving, and it’s where we eat dinner almost every night in summer.
Create an Outdoor Kitchen
When I say “outdoor kitchen,” I don’t mean those fancy setups that cost thousands. Our version consists of a good grill, a prep table we built from cedar planks, and a rolling cart that holds drinks and supplies.
The prep table was a game-changer. Before, my husband was constantly running back and forth to the kitchen while grilling. Now he has everything he needs right there.
We added a mini-fridge last year that we found on sale. It’s perfect for keeping drinks cold during backyard parties and storing marinating food until it’s ready for the grill.
Studies show that cooking outdoors can reduce your summer energy bills by up to 30% because you’re not heating up your kitchen with appliances. That’s a nice bonus on top of the fun of cooking outside!
Build a Deck
I have to be honest, this is the one project we hired professionals for. Building a deck seemed beyond our DIY skills, especially since ours is elevated about three feet off the ground.
But I know plenty of people who have built their own ground-level decks successfully! My brother and his wife completed theirs over four weekends, and it looks amazing.
The beauty of a deck is how it creates a defined transition between your home and yard. It’s like having another room that happens to be outside.
If a full deck seems overwhelming, consider a platform deck. These sit directly on the ground and don’t require the same structural considerations as elevated decks.
Add String Lights
This last idea is probably the cheapest yet makes one of the biggest visual impacts. String lights transformed our backyard from “meh” to magical for less than $100.
We strung them in a zigzag pattern above our patio using eye hooks screwed into our fence posts. The warm glow they create makes everyone look good in photos too!
My neighbor hung hers in her trees, creating a starry-night effect that’s absolutely gorgeous. The solar-powered versions mean you don’t even need to worry about outdoor outlets.
We leave ours up year-round now, and they’ve become our signature backyard feature. When friends say “let’s go to Susan’s place,” they’re often thinking about sitting under those twinkling lights on summer evenings.
Conclusion
Our backyard journey has taught me that you don’t need a huge budget or professional help to create an outdoor space your family loves. Start with one project that excites you, then build from there as time and money allow.
The real magic happens when your backyard reflects who you are and what you love. Our space will never be featured in a magazine, but it’s perfect for us—a place where the kids play, friends gather, and I’ve discovered my love of gardening.
What backyard addition are you most excited to try? I’d love to hear your plans or answer questions about our projects. Happy backyard transforming!
