Backyard Landscaping Ideas on a Budget

You look out at your backyard, and you have ideas: Ways to transform your outdoor living space and give it a new look and feel.

You see pathways and patios and hedges and trellises and maybe even a fountain. You see big backyard barbecues and scores of admiring neighbors.

And then you see your bank account and begin to worry.

Maybe that big landscaping project just isn’t in the cards, you think to yourself. But don’t fret. As long as you’re willing to start small, there are ways you can pull off backyard landscaping ideas on a budget.

1. Put in a flower bed border

This is probably one of the easiest, least-costly ways to spruce up your landscaping. A humble stone edge and a bag of mulch is all you need to give a standard flower bed new life.

2. Clean your sidewalk

This method might be even simpler. Just invest in some concrete/sidewalk cleaner, a hose and a large scrub brush and you can have your pathways looking new.

3. Make a path

Pathways through your yard don’t need to be that elaborate. We’ve seen garden trails made from reclaimed pallet wood or just a selection of stones, as well as more complex ones that use concrete and salvaged wood.

4. Let there be light

Instead of adding to your landscaping, consider enhancing what’s already there with outdoor lighting, allowing neighbors and visitors to see your hard work day and night. As an added bonus, landscape lighting makes your property safer by ensuring paths and trip hazards are visible after dark.

5. Cover your AC unit

We live and die by our air conditioning in the summer, but let’s face it: the big outdoor unit that powers your system wasn’t designed to be pretty. Adding a cover can keep it out of sight but still doing its job. You can do this by putting up a fence with some climbing vine plants, or by planting trees and shrubs.

6. Retaining walls

Putting up a retaining wall in your yard or garden can help flower beds stand out. More importantly, they can guard against soil erosion.

Of course, these ways to do backyard landscaping on a budget are all smaller steps. But what if you’re planning a larger project, but are still concerned about the cost of keeping your yard looking its best?

In that case, you may want to consider these tips:

• Make a plan before you buy – You may even want to sketch out your design before you begin to build to keep from wasting money.
• Consult with an expert – Even if you don’t want to hire a landscape designer for an entire project, shelling out the money for a one-time consultation might give you an idea of what to do – and not to do – as you proceed.
• Cheaper may not be better – Most big box home improvement centers can offer you the best prices for landscaping materials. But that may not mean you’ll be getting the highest quality or widest selection. Your local specialty shops might be able to offer you a better selection and more expertise.

If you need materials – or guidance – in transforming your backyard, turn to Woodward Landscape Supply. From hardscaping to masonry to fire features to fountains, we have what you need for your project, no matter how big or how small.