How to Budget for a Backyard Refresh?

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Brad Smith
Written By Brad Smith

It’s tempting to fantasize about what may occur when viewing the less-than-perfect conditions of a neglected backyard. A tiny garden might flourish in the sunshine, close to a grassy field where children and animals could roam around. Adults may gather around a fire pit next to a well-furnished kitchen protected from the sun by a pergola. If you want your home to look green without having to maintain it, consider installing artificial grass in Rialto, CA.

You could eventually ask the crucial question that separates this vision from reality when you adjust these fictitious backyard ideas, potentially adding paths, comfy chairs, and a tiny waterfall: What are the costs for each of these? However, check out these 4 tips for cost-effective, clever backyard renovations if it requires a bit of work but your budget won’t allow significant expenditures.

how to budget for a backyard refresh

1. Use Old Wood in New Ways

It’s advisable to keep everything in your remodeling calls for removing old timber. Using salvaged wood is another great way to build a privacy wall. Therefore, you may strip down the wood and make an attractive feature with it, even if it contains nail holes, as long as it is in decent condition. 

The most insect and rot-resistant woods, ancient cedar, redwood, or chestnut, can be found if you’re fortunate. You may use these woods to make quality outdoor wood furniture for your backyard. 

2. Spaces ought to serve several purposes

Versatility should be a key component of any design, especially if funds and space are limited. It would be best to create areas that may be used for socializing, unwinding, dining, and playing. Sustaining broad, accessible divisions between rooms, removing obstacles inside spaces, and relying on mobile furniture go a long way toward accomplishing this.

3. Increase the Size of a Patio

Extending your outdoor amusement space by building onto an established concrete surface, sticking with the “task with what you have” approach is advisable. All you need to do is add stones on top of that and dye the concrete a similar shade as the stones. You don’t need to start from the beginning and tear out everything.

You can compute the cost of concrete using an online calculator. To compute the cost of concrete for the patio extension, calculate the area to be covered and the thickness of the concrete layer. Then, local suppliers determine the cost per cubic yard. Use these values to find the volume of concrete needed and multiply it by the cost per cubic yard to estimate the total cost. Be sure to consider additional expenses such as delivery charges and labor costs.

Knowing the cost of concrete for extending a patio is essential for budget planning, project feasibility assessment, comparative analysis of different options, negotiation with contractors, and efficient resource allocation. It ensures accurate budgeting, helps in making informed decisions, and ensures the project stays within financial constraints while achieving desired outcomes.

4. Keep hold of the positives

If you can repurpose resources, you can keep landscape expenses in check, just as you would with interior decoration. You need to audit your yard before beginning your job. What’s in decent condition? What can be made to appear better with only a quick coat of paint? Keep these powerful core features in check and focus your efforts on making essential new additions genuinely remarkable. 

Using bumps or slopes rather than flattening them might save money, as can buying local plants. Another excellent technique to reduce paving expenses is to use crushed materials like gravel or decomposed granite.

5. Build a Trellis

Nothing could be better than constructing a DIY trellis, a significant backyard renovation on a budget. These are affordable, hassle-free, and incorporate a vast personality and privacy zone into your lackluster backyard. 

Do you want to build a vertical garden? If yes, making a trellis would be highly beneficial as you can utilize vertical growing veggies to encompass your backyard structure. However, the most elegant part is you can construct a trellis from bamboo, garden stakes, rebar, and wood, which will never cost a fortune. 

6. Construct a Patio with Decomposed Granite

Decomposed granite is relatively inexpensive; thus, using that material to construct a patio would be wiser. Additionally, this decomposed granite is a coarsely crushed rock pulled out of a grassy meadow, edged with decomposed granite, compacted, and then covered with another layer. Nevertheless, after being neatly compressed, this granite material produces a subtle hardscape that costs less than $1 per square foot.

To construct a patio with decomposed granite, prepare the site, install edging, lay down weed barrier fabric, spread and compact the decomposed granite, and optionally apply a stabilizing sealer. Once complete, the patio is ready for use and enjoyment.

7. Incorporate some lighting

Artificial lighting in the backyard looks mesmerizing and is enough to spruce up the space. Incorporating artificial lighting in your backyard elevates an ordinary backyard into a top-notch evening gathering location. However, outdoor solar lights can include a perfect ambience and a subtle touch of elegance to your backyard. 

This is how you can make your outdoor space more welcoming and inviting. You might consider solar-powered rock lights, one of the most prudent ways to lighten up your backyard.

When choosing solar-powered rock lights for your backyard, prioritize quality, durability, and solar panel efficiency. Opt for models with sufficient brightness, battery capacity, and backup options. Look for versatile lighting modes and features, including automatic on/off functionality. Consider designs that complement your backyard’s aesthetics and ensure ease of installation and placement. Verify high waterproof and weatherproof ratings for durability. Review customer feedback to gauge performance and satisfaction.

8. Try Xeriscaping

You may try your hands on Xeriscaping. It is the best strategy to incorporate visual charm into your backyard while generating a garden area requiring the slightest maintenance. Hence, trying Xeriscaping means it won’t cost the earth! 

But while Xeriscaping, you need to examine the pH level of the soil and keep it ventilated. On the other hand, you may also utilize inorganic and organic mulch to shield the soil’s surface.  
You might say that you have a lot of control over how much an outdoor remodeling job will cost. It will mostly depend on the goals you establish for the project and the method you choose to implement them. Follow the aforementioned budgeting strategies for a backyard refresh, and make the most of Christmassy and outdoor party memories in your backyard.  

smith brad omni

Written by Brad Smith

CEO & Lead Interior Designer

Brad Smith is an experienced interior designer and the founder of OmniHomeIdeas.com. With a Master's degree in Interior Design from Pratt Institute and a passion for creating safe and healthy living spaces, Brad shares his expert insights and innovative design ideas with our readers. His work is driven by the belief that home is where every story begins.