--- title: "20 Ways to Get a Better Backyard Today" description: "Landscaping experts share what you can build, plant, and fix up in the yard that will make a huge impact on its appearance—and your enjoyment of the space." date: "2024-02-08" modified: "2026-06-29" authors: - name: "Marisa Villarreal" job_title: "Contributing Writer & Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/marisa-villarreal/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/easy-backyard-updates/" categories: - "DIY" - "Easy DIY Projects" - "Landscaping" - "Lawn & Garden" - "Lawn Care & Gardening" tags: - "News" --- # 20 Ways to Get a Better Backyard Today ![A smooth DIY concrete pad in a backyard.]() *Photo: Colby - stock.adobe.com* There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars and commit to several weekends of backbreaking work to improve the look of a drab backyard. From adding potted plants to building a bench, there are many simple projects you can complete in an afternoon—and on a tight budget—that will help give your yard a facelift. Need some inspiration? Our experts have some high-impact ideas for you. ## 1. Build a Trellis ![Dark red clematis flowers bloom on a wooden trellis in a sunlit garden, representing natural beauty and growth on a summer day.]() *Photo: zhennyzhenny via Adobe Stock* Bringing lush greenery to a space-starved backyard is as easy as building and staining a DIY [trellis]() and then planting some climbing vines. This bit of garden ingenuity allows plants to grow up instead of out, allowing you to conserve [valuable outdoor space]() but still enjoy a verdant retreat. ## 2. Mulch or Compost Your Garden Beds ![Wheelbarrow with mulch next to garden.]() *Photo: iStock* It’s not fancy, but adding [mulch]() or compost to landscaped beds can freshen up your backyard. “Adding a compost improves your yard’s aesthetics because it has a very dark black, brown undertone,” says David Angelov, CEO and founder of PlantParenthood, a landscaping company based in Newton, Massachusetts. “It’s also great for your plants because it acts as a mulch and decomposes into nutrients.” If you go with mulch instead of compost, Angelov suggests using a bark mulch that will add nutrients to plantings while also beautifying your backyard. ## 3. Put in a Fire Pit ![Square metal fire pit with a roaring fire inside, atop a gravel base.]() *Photo: [AlabamaArts]() via Etsy* Add a cozy [fire pit]() to your backyard where you can enjoy technology-free quality time with the family, roasting marshmallows and telling campfire stories. You can assemble one in a few hours by either purchasing a kit or building one with landscaping bricks. Not thrilled with the idea of hauling heavy pavers to your backyard? Buy a metal or copper fire pit, which you can install in minutes. ## 4. Put Out More Potted Plants ![Potted flowers and greenery in a variety of pots on a patio.]() *Photo: Depositphotos* Adding a few potted [patio plants]() is a simple yet effective update that’s budget-friendly, doesn’t require much work, and is easy to maintain. “You can really make your backyard more inviting by just adding a pot or two next to a column or the door, or right in between two chairs,” Angelov says. He suggests bypassing the big-box stores and instead visiting a local nursery that offers [plants and shrubs]() native to your area, and therefore equipped to handle the weather. ## 5. Add Color to a Concrete Patio ![Backyard concrete patio with colorful squares.]() *Photo: A Beautiful Mess* This easy DIY transforms a bland patio into a fun and modern outdoor hangout. To get this look, spray [paint a few concrete patio tiles]() in the colors of your choice, and place them at random, or in a predetermined pattern. The best part is that it’s easy to pull the tiles up next season and update your color scheme. ## 6. Piece Together a Prefab Shed ![Backyard garden and shed.]() *Photo: Zillow Digs home in Pasadena, CA* Storage shortage is a common conundrum inside and outside the home, but here’s a way to make extra space in a hurry: A small [garden shed]() is perfect for sheltering your lawn mower, garden equipment, and off-season items. With so many [prefab sheds]() on the market and available for pickup at your local home center, this DIY addition is as easy as an afternoon's worth of assembly. ## 7. Assemble a Plant Pot Fountain ![Assembled plant pot water fountain.]() *Photo: [Addicted to DIY]()* The tranquil sound of running water can help turn a backyard from a play zone to a space to zone out. To turn your outdoor space into a [Zen sanctuary](), consider installing a [DIY garden fountain](). This three-tiered version is made from repurposed planter pots. All you need to complete this fountain project is a small pump, 1/2-inch hose, a drill, rocks, and a little bit of time. ## 8. Add Outoor Lighting ![Solar lights in garden edge.]() *Photo: iStock* A simple way to make your backyard more inviting and functional at night is by adding lighting, says Kody Ketterling, landscaping expert and founder of irrigation company K-IT Products. “You can get inexpensive [solar path lights]() in different styles and types and colors,” he says. “By adding them to your beds, decks, patios, trees, and other areas, it gives you a night oasis that looks pretty when it gets dark.” Not only does [outdoor lighting]() add ambience to your backyard, it also helps to enhance safety. ## 9. Edge Your Beds ![Beautifully manicured garden bed with bright flowers, mulch, and landscape edging.]() *Photo: iStock* [Landscape edging]() defines the border between the flower bed and the lawn, and prevents soil erosion in a sloped garden bed. There are any number of [edging materials]() from which to choose, including concrete, PVC, wire, bricks, and stones, and all can be installed in an afternoon. For an eco- and budget-friendly solution edging, insert wine bottles neck-down into the ground. The bottles’ glass bottoms will reflect sunlight, and give your garden a unique look. Bottoms up! ## 10. Pour a Patio ![Recently poured concrete patio with broom]() *Photo: iStock* Why confine your family to a [tiny patio space]()? With a few tools and a bag of concrete mix, you can make a bigger, DIY backyard patio by adding a new [concrete]() slab. To create a safe, skid-resistant finish, gently brush a broom over the freshly [poured concrete]() once it has lost its sheen. ## 11. Create Shade With Curtains ![DIY outdoor privacy screen.]() *Photo: Ohoh Blog for BobVila.com* While a sunny backyard is an asset, a west-facing deck or patio may soak up more rays than your party guests can handle. To keep the cookout going, consider building a [budget-friendly DIY shade]() that doubles as a privacy screen. To make the space even more inviting in the evening, [hang string lights]() on the posts to illuminate the space. (For added stability, we recommend using [canopy weights]() around the structure’s legs.) ## 12. Erect a Cinder-Block Bar and Planter ![DIY cinderblock bar and planter.]() *Photo: Hunted Interior* Clever if a little austere, the look of this cinder-block bar is softened by succulents planted in the holes of the blocks. (Chicken wire and landscape fabric support the soil and plants.) Before [building your own backyard bar](), plan your dimensions and location, and then join everything together with concrete adhesive. For a rustic finishing touch, [stain a wood board]() to serve as the bar top. ## 13. Replace Old Plants ![Person wearing garden gloves plants a young shrub in the yard.]() *Photo: iStock* Ketterling suggests updating tired landscaping by replacing mature plants that are unhealthy or overgrown with fresh plantings. “Changing out old plantings with new ones changes the scenery with something different, adding to the look and appeal of your yard,” he says. Ketterling advises his customers to make changes in landscaping every 3 to 5 years. ## 14. Construct a Cinder-Block Bench ![Outdoor patio with cinder-block bench.]() *Photo: [Somewhat Simple]()* If you have 20 minutes, then you have enough time to build this [outdoor bench]() for your patio. In fact, it may take longer to purchase the materials than put them together! The sturdy seat consists of wooden posts that have been slid through the holes in the cinder blocks. Colorful cushions enhance comfort and liven up this utilitarian bench. ## 15. Tidy Up ![Male arm putting away garden rake.]() *Photo: iStock* One easy way to improve the look of your backyard is to get rid of all the junk that’s crowding it. Gather up any bags of mulch, garden tools, stray building materials, athletic equipment, and toys, and then [stow everything neatly away](). Next, take some time to weed out garden beds and collect any dead sticks or branches that are littering the landscaping. ## 16. Raise Up a Garden ![Raised garden bed in modern backyard.]() *Photo: [GoodDIYplans]() via Etsy* Raised garden beds make gardening easier and more successful: They prevent soil compaction and provide good drainage, and the structures help [keep pests and weeds to a minimum](). If you’re planning on growing any edible plants, don't build your bed with pressure-treated lumber, which is imbued with harsh chemicals. The [best woods for raised garden beds]() are rot-resistant hardwoods, like cedar. ## 17. Build a Sandbox With Seating ![DIY Child sandbox with seating.]() *Photo: [HorizonDesignStudios]() via Etsy Photo: [HorizonDesignStudios]() via Etsy.com* This DIY kid's sandbox is made parent-friendly (and cat-proof) by the addition of built-in seats that fold to cover the box when it’s not in use. The smart design of this [backyard wood project]() prevents leaves and debris—as well as local wildlife—from getting into the sand, and the seats provide a comfortable place for both kids and adults to perch. ## 18. Decorate With Repurposed Planters ![Old bathtub used as flower garden.]() *Photo: iStock* When it's time to select new planters for an [outdoor container garden](), the options are endless, but they can set you back a pretty penny. Save your money for the plants themselves by recycling household items into whimsical planters. Explore the house and garage for likely candidates, such as old tires, a no-longer-used wheelbarrow or wagon, discarded furniture, or galvanized tubs. To [repurpose old tires](), use chicken wire and landscape fabric to cover the hole at the base of each tire, paint the tires, and then arrange them in your garden for cheerful pops of color. ## 19. Provide a Bird Haven ![Solar bird bath fountain with birds.]() *Photo: Walmart* Wildlife enhances the natural beauty of a backyard. Angelov suggests attracting birds by installing a small [solar-powered bird bath fountain](). “They add sound and tranquility, and give you something interesting to look at,” he says, adding that you can often find inexpensive secondhand bird baths on Facebook Marketplace and similar sites. ## 20. Show Your Yard Some TLC ![Person uses string trimmer to edge the lawn alongside a driveway.]() *Photo: iStock* Angelov says one of the easiest and cheapest things you can do to improve the appearance of your yard is to spend a little time on maintenance. He suggests using a [lawn edger]() to create a clean delineation between the lawn and landscaped beds, scraping soil and moss off brick edging, and filling any [holes animals may have dug]() in the ground: “This is low-hanging fruit you can do with basic tools to improve aesthetics and the health of the plants.” ## Author Marisa Villarreal is a landscape architect trained at [Harvard University Graduate School of Design](), where she was co-chair of Women in Design, the program's largest student-run organization. Ms. Villarreal also served as the editor of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design Student Guide. As a media professional, her career has included roles at BobVila.com, [Food52.com](), and [20x200](). ### Author social links [Instagram]()