7 budget backyard patio ideas for dreamy al fresco inspo (2024)

FAQs

How can I make an inexpensive patio? ›

What is the most budget-friendly DIY patio material? Packed gravel is the lowest-cost option. Gravel is inexpensive, and installation involves digging, tamping, spreading, and adding borders. It's a fast way to add usable backyard space.

Gravel is the cheapest option when looking to create a patio on a budget. Otherwise, pebbles or reclaimed materials are also good options. If you're set on laying paving slabs, concrete is one of the cheapest materials, and when installed and maintained correctly, it can hold up well and last for years.

Bring on the cozy feeling with your favorite soft accents. Pillows, blankets, and rugs are all an easy way to transform your outdoor space into a snuggly oasis. Using these soft materials in juxtaposition with your furniture and the outdoors mimics your inside living spaces and adds so much to the coziness of it all.

Bricks and concrete pavers are the easiest patio materials to use because they have a uniform shape and create a relatively flat surface. That's helpful if you want to roll a grill across it, put down a mat to do Pilates or wear high heels while hosting a dinner party.

Concrete and gravel are the least expensive hardscape materials, often used to build affordable retaining walls, patios, driveways, and other outdoor structures.

A paver patio costs $10 to $17 per square foot installed. A 12x12 paver patio costs $1,400 to $2,500. A 20x20 paver patio costs $3,800 to $6,800. The cost of paver materials is $4 to $6 per square foot, while installation labor costs $6 to $11 per square foot.

Poured concrete is the most inexpensive hardscape option. Add decorative stamping and you get a high-end look at half the cost of pavers.

Composite decking and patios are gaining popularity among homeowners as they are stain-resistant and low maintenance. That is to say, you don't need to oil, paint, or stain them as compared to natural wood. Most importantly, they resist fading, staining, rotting, and splitting.

If you're squished up against your neighbor in an urban setting, try strategically placed containers with vining plants to create a green wall (and flowering plants or herbs to make the space feel warm and welcoming!), or something like decorative panels so you don't feel like you're always on display when you're ...

Keep it simple with a small gravel patio, or make the most of a large space by upgrading a porch with pavers. If you're decorating on a budget, small accents can make a big difference — like using sheer curtains to enclose a tiny patio, layering in gorgeous greenery or incorporating throw pillows.

How do you make a small patio look tropical? ›

The tropical look is all about lushness and abundance, so add vines to grow along a wall or a fence to contribute to the effect, and consider ferns as fillers that not only add both structure and softness to the space but also make the outdoor space feel as though nature has reclaimed it.

Rectangular patios are among the most popular and easy to build or design. You can use them for numerous purposes because they are versatile. Like rectangle patios, square patios are popular and easy to design or build. Homeowners who want a symmetrical appearance can go for this patio.

Price​: Concrete

Poured concrete is by far the more affordable option, but adding customizations can quickly increase the price. Pavers vary in price depending on the material and size but are generally more expensive than concrete for comparable square footage.

Costs and Return on Investment

A paving stone patio is a more affordable option if you're thinking about your costs now, as well as maintenance costs in the future.

Yes you can if you level the sand/ blocks. Just be aware it would be taller than the surrounding ground. And please don't forget to use a layer of heavy landscape fabric so water can go through but weeds can't.