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5 Budget-Friendly DIY Ideas to Revamp Your Backyard Patio

by Justin Richardson

Are you daydreaming of a picturesque backyard patio, but you’re on a tight budget? Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with 5 affordable DIY ideas to give your outdoor space a fresh new look. With these tips, you’ll be able to create a stunning oasis without breaking the bank. Let’s dive in!

An aerial view of a spacious patio deck featuring a firepit area with chairs, a round outdoor table area, and a paver walkway stained with light charcoal concrete. The patio deck floor is made of natural stones in various sizes, stained in Tweed, Charcoal, and Silver Gray concrete stains, creating a serene and inviting atmosphere.
Create a cozy and inviting outdoor space with a custom-stained patio deck and paver walkway. The combination of natural stones and concrete stains in Tweed, Charcoal, and Silver Gray creates a beautiful and relaxing ambiance, perfect for entertaining or unwinding after a long day.

1. Build Your Dream Deck or Patio

A deck or patio can transform your backyard into a functional and stylish space. With the right tools, materials, and some guidance from our how-to guides, you can construct your dream patio over a few weekends. You can opt for patio stones that you align to create your desired patio shape or choose to pour your own concrete.

A DIY patio design showcasing an inviting fire pit, surrounded by multicolored stones stained to resemble slate, creating a warm and welcoming outdoor space.
Cozy evenings await with this DIY slate-inspired stained patio featuring a charming fire pit for unforgettable gatherings.

For example, you can choose patio stones to create a more natural-looking patio. With a little bit of effort and creativity, you can align the stones to create unique patterns and designs.

A DIY patio design featuring multicolored, slate-like stained stones, creating a serene and Zen-inspired backyard ambiance.
Transforming a backyard into a tranquil oasis with DIY multicolored, slate-inspired stained patio stones.

Don’t forget to use concrete stains to customize the color of your stones and make your patio truly one of a kind.

A DIY patio stone design in progress, featuring individual stones being meticulously hand-stained with sponges, using various concrete stain colors to achieve a realistic slate appearance.
Crafting a stunning slate-inspired patio, one stone at a time, with the skillful use of sponges and multicolored concrete stains.
Antiquing™ Trial Kit
Antiquing™ Trial Kit
ProClean Degreaser
ProClean Degreaser™
Charcoal Antiquing Swatch
Antiquing™ Charcoal
Silver Gray Antiquing Swatch
Antiquing™ Silver Gray
Tweed Antiquing Swatch
Antiquing™ Tweed
EasySeal Satin
EasySeal™ Satin

Alternatively, consider pouring your own concrete to create a one-of-a-kind patio.

A woman hand-troweling her DIY poured concrete patio, intentionally creating texture for a unique and personalized outdoor space.
Adding a personal touch: Woman creates texture on her DIY poured concrete patio using a hand trowel.

With the use of concrete stains and pigments, you can easily customize the color of the concrete to achieve your desired shade. This allows for a personalized and unique look that perfectly matches your style and taste.

A woman skillfully applying Antiquing Cafe Royale stain to her cured DIY poured concrete patio, enhancing its visual appeal and character.
Infusing warmth and rustic charm into a DIY concrete patio with the rich tones of Antiquing Cafe Royale stain.
A finished DIY poured concrete patio featuring a warm and rustic look, achieved through the simple application of Antiquing Cafe Royale stain.
Rustic simplicity: A DIY concrete patio brought to life with the warm tones of Antiquing Cafe Royale stain.
Antiquing™ Trial Kit
Antiquing™ Trial Kit
ProClean Degreaser
ProClean Degreaser™
Cafe Royale Antiquing Swatch
Antiquing™ Cafe Royale
EasySeal Satin
EasySeal™ Satin

For more inspiration and creative ideas, be sure to explore our post on Stained Concrete Patio Ideas: Before And Afters, Tips, And Customer Stories.

2. Add a Concrete Fountain

Introduce an eye-catching focal point to your backyard with a concrete fountain. The soothing sound of flowing water will make your outdoor space even more inviting.

refinished concrete water fountain
EverStain Cola and Antiquing Terracotta
Antiquing™ Trial Kit
Antiquing™ Trial Kit
Cola EverStain Swatch
EverStain™ Cola
Terra Cotta Antiquing Swatch
Antiquing™ Terracotta
EasySeal Satin
EasySeal™ Satin

Building a concrete fountain is an affordable way to incorporate a unique feature into your patio design. Customize the color of your fountain with concrete stains to match your desired aesthetic.

3. Illuminate Your Space with String Lights

A vibrant scored concrete patio stained with a mix of Milano Red, Driftwood, and Pumpkin Antiquing concrete stains, complemented by eye-catching red wooden patio chairs, a vivid yellow table, torches, and string lights for a lively outdoor atmosphere.
A lively outdoor haven: Scored concrete patio stained with a colorful blend of Milano Red, Driftwood, and Pumpkin Antiquing stains, paired with vivid red chairs and a contrasting yellow table.

A simple yet effective way to enhance the atmosphere of your backyard is by adding string lights. They provide a warm, cozy ambiance and can be draped, mounted, or hung wherever you need them. String lights are also quite affordable, making them an excellent option for budget-conscious homeowners.

4. Create a Stone Path

Illuminated Residential Backyard Garden by LED Lights. Modern Architectural Concrete Wall and Stairs Elements Design.
Illuminated Residential Backyard Garden by LED Lights. Modern Architectural Concrete Wall and Stairs Elements Design.

Stone paths are not only practical but can also add a touch of elegance to your backyard. By placing stones at equal distances, you can create an attractive walkway that leads to different areas of your outdoor space. To make your stone path even more unique, consider using concrete stains to customize the color of the stones.

For additional inspiration and creative walkway makeovers, don’t miss our ‘Stained Concrete Walkway DIY Gallery.’

5. Design Custom Concrete Planters

Concrete planters offer an industrial-chic look while providing a durable home for your plants.

concrete planters by @wellplantedco

To create your own, follow these simple steps:

  • Choose containers of appropriate size for your concrete planters.
  • Grease the inside of the containers with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
  • Mix concrete following the package instructions. Add concrete pigment while mixing if you’d like to color your concrete.
  • Place a cup or other cylindrical container inside the greased container, greasing the outside as well.
  • Pour concrete inside the larger container and around the smaller one.
  • Weigh down the interior container with rocks or pebbles for stability.
  • Tap the containers to remove bubbles.
  • Let dry for up to 24 hours.

Once the concrete has dried, remove the planter from the mold, and you’re ready to add your plants! If you didn’t use concrete pigment during mixing, you can still customize the color using outdoor concrete stain once the planter has dried.

These affordable backyard DIY projects can help you transform your outdoor space into a beautiful oasis. For more inspiration and guidance on using concrete stains and pigments, explore our how-to guides or browse our selection of concrete colorants.

diy concrete stain contest