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There's no end to what you can do to liven up your backyard. Whether you've got a big budget, or only a few dollars to spare, here are 12 backyard ideas that are sure to please.
Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
Outdoors
12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every Budget
March 5, 2020
There's no end to what you can do to liven up your backyard. Whether you've got a big budget, or only a few dollars to spare, here are 12 backyard ideas that are sure to please. Scott McGillivray is a real estate expert and host of HGTV Canada's Income Property and Moving the McGillivrays.
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Low Budget: Clean and Remove Clutter
1/12Low Budget: Clean and Remove Clutter
1/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
First thing’s first. The best way to make your backyard look great is to clean up, remove weeds and get rid of any clutter. As long as your yard is decently maintained, it won’t take very long, and best of all, it’s totally free!Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetLow Budget: Clean and Remove Clutter
PHOTO 1 of 12READ LESS -First thing’s first. The best way to make your backyard look great is to clean up, remove weeds and get rid of any clutter. As long as your yard is decently maintained, it won’t take very long, and best of all, it’s totally free!Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Low Budget: Raised Planter Beds
2/12Low Budget: Raised Planter Beds
2/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
If gardening is your thing, raised planter beds can be a great, inexpensive DIY project. They can help you to grow a healthy garden and they act as a deterrent for rodents and pests. When planning, remember that you can use a traditional design, or use salvaged items to create a unique look for your yard.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetLow Budget: Raised Planter Beds
PHOTO 2 of 12READ LESS -If gardening is your thing, raised planter beds can be a great, inexpensive DIY project. They can help you to grow a healthy garden and they act as a deterrent for rodents and pests. When planning, remember that you can use a traditional design, or use salvaged items to create a unique look for your yard.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Low Budget: Twinkle Lights
3/12Low Budget: Twinkle Lights
3/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Twinkle lights can make any backyard look better. Seriously, a few strings of white lights overhead can transform even the drabbest backyard and turn it into a charming space for evening get-togethers.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetLow Budget: Twinkle Lights
PHOTO 3 of 12READ LESS -Twinkle lights can make any backyard look better. Seriously, a few strings of white lights overhead can transform even the drabbest backyard and turn it into a charming space for evening get-togethers.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Low Budget: Make a Path
4/12Low Budget: Make a Path
4/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
A garden path is a great way to add a little charm and character to a yard. Materials like flagstone and brick can get expensive, but a simple, small path made from salvaged wood only costs you a few dollars and a little elbow grease. <br /> <br /> Take a look at some more <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/50-beautiful-backyard-ideas-1050256/#">beautiful backyard</a> ideas that you could tackle this summer.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetLow Budget: Make a Path
PHOTO 4 of 12READ LESS -A garden path is a great way to add a little charm and character to a yard. Materials like flagstone and brick can get expensive, but a simple, small path made from salvaged wood only costs you a few dollars and a little elbow grease. <br /> <br /> Take a look at some more <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/50-beautiful-backyard-ideas-1050256/#">beautiful backyard</a> ideas that you could tackle this summer.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Low Budget: Chimenea
5/12Low Budget: Chimenea
5/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
People love to gather around a fire. So if it’s permitted in your area, consider an inexpensive chimenea. You can find them for a few hundred dollars and they’ll make your backyard feel like a cozy retreat. <br /> <br /> Take a look at even more <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/new-and-beautiful-backyard-trends-for-2018-1913537/#">backyard trends for 2018</a>.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetLow Budget: Chimenea
PHOTO 5 of 12READ LESS -People love to gather around a fire. So if it’s permitted in your area, consider an inexpensive chimenea. You can find them for a few hundred dollars and they’ll make your backyard feel like a cozy retreat. <br /> <br /> Take a look at even more <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/outdoors/photos/new-and-beautiful-backyard-trends-for-2018-1913537/#">backyard trends for 2018</a>.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Medium Budget: Build a Pergola
6/12Medium Budget: Build a Pergola
6/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
A pergola is a great way to add a practical, decorative structure in your backyard. You can make it as simple or complex as you want, and if you’re handy with a saw and drill, you can have it done in a weekend. There are also a lot of inexpensive prefab versions that look great.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetMedium Budget: Build a Pergola
PHOTO 6 of 12READ LESS -A pergola is a great way to add a practical, decorative structure in your backyard. You can make it as simple or complex as you want, and if you’re handy with a saw and drill, you can have it done in a weekend. There are also a lot of inexpensive prefab versions that look great.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Medium Budget: Pizza Oven
7/12Medium Budget: Pizza Oven
7/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
There are some pizza ovens that are way up there in terms of price, but if you’re ok with a simple version, you can get something for a few hundred dollars – or you can build one yourself. Just make sure you have the necessary permits if required.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetMedium Budget: Pizza Oven
PHOTO 7 of 12READ LESS -There are some pizza ovens that are way up there in terms of price, but if you’re ok with a simple version, you can get something for a few hundred dollars – or you can build one yourself. Just make sure you have the necessary permits if required.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Medium Budget: Install a Patio
8/12Medium Budget: Install a Patio
8/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Installing a simple patio using pavers or patio stones is a great way to create a little extra living space without spending a fortune. The stones vary in price, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. And once it’s done you’ve got a great space for a living room or dining room furniture arrangement.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetMedium Budget: Install a Patio
PHOTO 8 of 12READ LESS -Installing a simple patio using pavers or patio stones is a great way to create a little extra living space without spending a fortune. The stones vary in price, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. And once it’s done you’ve got a great space for a living room or dining room furniture arrangement.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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Medium Budget: Build a Deck
9/12Medium Budget: Build a Deck
9/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
Yes, decks can be expensive, but the reason I’m putting this in the medium category is that while decks can be costly, they can get you decent return on your investment. And if you’re up for the challenge of building it yourself, it can be very affordable. Just make sure you’re doing it safely.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetMedium Budget: Build a Deck
PHOTO 9 of 12READ LESS -Yes, decks can be expensive, but the reason I’m putting this in the medium category is that while decks can be costly, they can get you decent return on your investment. And if you’re up for the challenge of building it yourself, it can be very affordable. Just make sure you’re doing it safely.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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High Budget: Swimming Pool
10/12High Budget: Swimming Pool
10/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
I love swimming pools, but they definitely don’t come cheap. A new in-ground pool can cost upwards of $20,000, and more often than not, they don’t get you any kind of financial return on investment. Financially speaking, it’s always better to get a house that already has one than pay to do it yourself. But if you have the money and want it for yourself, go for it. <br /> <br /> Looking for more value-adding tips? See Scott's <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/15-ways-to-add-value-to-an-income-property-1911117/">15 Ways to Add Value to an Income Property</a>Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetHigh Budget: Swimming Pool
PHOTO 10 of 12READ LESS -I love swimming pools, but they definitely don’t come cheap. A new in-ground pool can cost upwards of $20,000, and more often than not, they don’t get you any kind of financial return on investment. Financially speaking, it’s always better to get a house that already has one than pay to do it yourself. But if you have the money and want it for yourself, go for it. <br /> <br /> Looking for more value-adding tips? See Scott's <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/15-ways-to-add-value-to-an-income-property-1911117/">15 Ways to Add Value to an Income Property</a>Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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High Budget: In-ground Irrigation System
11/12High Budget: In-ground Irrigation System
11/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
These are definitely handy, and definitely useful if you have a lot of space and a lot of plantings, but they’re also fairly expensive. They really only give any kind of return on investment in higher-value homes, so consider this a “just for you” investment.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetHigh Budget: In-ground Irrigation System
PHOTO 11 of 12READ LESS -These are definitely handy, and definitely useful if you have a lot of space and a lot of plantings, but they’re also fairly expensive. They really only give any kind of return on investment in higher-value homes, so consider this a “just for you” investment.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
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High Budget: Professional Landscaping
12/12High Budget: Professional Landscaping
12/12Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
I always tell people not to go overboard with landscaping when it comes to adding value and ROI, but if it’s just for you, have at it. Professional landscaping can be expensive, but like with any art form, the finished product can be incredibly beautiful.Outdoors12 Beautiful Backyard Ideas for Every BudgetHigh Budget: Professional Landscaping
PHOTO 12 of 12READ LESS -I always tell people not to go overboard with landscaping when it comes to adding value and ROI, but if it’s just for you, have at it. Professional landscaping can be expensive, but like with any art form, the finished product can be incredibly beautiful.Photo Credit: iStockphoto.com
