32 Cheap And Easy Backyard Ideas That Are Borderline Genius

Can’t afford that dream deck or in-ground pool you’re dying for? There are still ways to get a beautiful backyard perfect for entertaining.

01. Replace the light bulbs in an old chandelier with inexpensive solar lights. Hang it from a tree branch.

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You’ll have gorgeous outdoor lighting without having to provide electricity.

02. Turn an old chair into a swing.

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Get the instructions here. (In Swedish.)

03. Put diapers in the bottom of your potted plants.

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They’ll help your plants retain their moisture and keep them looking fresh longer.

04. Place scraps of yarn in a suet feeder, and birds will use them to make their nests.

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Get more information here.

05. Make a giant outdoor water bed for the kids.

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Get the directions here.

06. Use glow necklaces and glow bracelets for a few rounds of nighttime ring toss.

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07. Break glow sticks into water bottles for some nighttime lawn bowling action.

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08. Plant some ornamental Kochia Scoparia grass.

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It’s a hardy and drought-tolerant foliage plant that germinates super fast. They start green but turn pretty red once it gets colder.

09. Having a party? Tie vases to the fence and fill them with plants or flowers.

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10. Spray paint metal folding chairs for entertaining in the backyard.

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Go here to learn what spray paint is best to use on metal.

11. Make a wind chime out of old keys and acrylic paint.

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Get the directions here.

12. Don’t own a grill? This camping grill is a more inexpensive way to have a BBQ.

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Get it here for $29.99-39.99.

13. Opt for a splash pad instead of a pool.

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They start at about $2-3k, which isn’t cheap, but they are significantly more affordable than a pool. And safer, too, because there’s less risk of drowning.

14. But this DIY splash pad made from a tarp is even cheaper.

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Find out how they did it here.

15. Reuse your empty wine bottles by making mosquito-combating tiki torches.

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Fill them with citronella oil. Get the directions here.

16. Plant lemongrass as a natural way to keep mosquitoes away.

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Buy a mature plant from an Asian market or grocery store. When you get it home, trim the tops of the plant and remove any dead parts. Plant it in a clear jar of water and place it on a sunny windowsill. Within a few weeks, it will develop roots and can be transplanted into your garden.

17. Rinse your dirty feet off in a waterproof frame filled with flat stones.

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The flat stones will feel so good on your feet!

18. The sedum sarmentosum plant makes a fast-growing ground cover.

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In June, it grows tiny yellow flowers!

19. Coat planters with glow-in-the-dark paint for instant night lighting.

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20. Put mirrors on your backyard fence to make the yard look more prominent.

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Find out how to make this upcycled one from old windows.

21. Toilet paper makes the best, cheapest seed paper.

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It cannot be easy to space out tiny seeds like carrots. Get the directions on using seed paper to plant your small seeds here.

22. Repurpose your tree stumps.

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Turn one into a table or a planter, or cover it in moss and flowers to make it look pretty.

23. Enlist the kids to help you make stepping stones out of cement, cereal boxes, and glass stones.

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Get the full directions here.

24. Grow a sunflower house for the kids to play in.

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25. Get some rainbow fire crystals for your fire pit.

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At $14.95 for a pack of two, these are pretty enough to be worth it if you have people over.

26. Set up pool noodles for a game of kickball croquet.

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Get the directions here.

27. Sugar water or apple juice in a milk jug will trap bees, wasps, and hornets.

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There are plenty of reasons NOT to kill these creatures, but if someone’s allergic to stings or you need a way to deal with them without using chemicals, here’s an easy method. Fill with sweet sugar water and cut a small slit into the side. They won’t be able to escape.

28. Epsom salts make the best and easiest fertilizer.

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For potted plants, dissolve two tablespoons of Epsom salts per gallon of water, and substitute this solution for regular watering at least once a month. Or sprinkle it into the soil before planting seeds. It’s considered the secret to a lovely, lush garden.