24 Cheap Backyard Makeover Ideas You'll Love

A trellis is an excellent idea for adding a little charm to your yard. Create your own trellis out of metal poles or wooden boards, and plant climbing roses on either side to grow your flowers to new heights. Trellises make a great DIY addition to gardens with vertical-growing vegetables, too. Inspire imaginative play with these no-sew theater curtains.

Visit your local thrift stores and check the classifieds online to find local garage sales. By purchasing used planters, furniture and even gardening tools to spruce up your lawn, you can save hundreds of dollars, and keep some really nice items out of the trash. Ultimately, to keep your backyard landscaping costs low, all you need is time and a little creativity.

Fully loaded playground sets with more than a dozen play features might be the grandest of all backyard ideas for kids. Multiple swing seats, monkey bars, a climbing wall and a slide on the ground level give your children and their friends little reason to be bored but there’s even more fun up above. A clubhouse on the upper deck has plenty of room to play and after they’re worn out from all of the activity, they can relax in the shade on a bench swing hanging below.

Introduce some architectural character in your backyard ideas for kids with wood swing sets. Your new addition can have the aesthetically pleasing look of a wood roof with dormers and still have fun activities like multiple swings, trapeze rings and a sandbox. Other features like bench seating, a telescope and ship steering wheel high above the ground let children keep an eye on their play kingdom. With so many play features, your kids are sure to enjoy their outdoor swing set for years to come. Go beyond an outdoor fireplace and add even more warmth to your ultimate backyard with one of these highly-rated patio heaters.

Just make sure it's not near any structures, under a roof, or on top of a wooden deck. Not all shade has to come from umbrellas, though. You can create shade using gazebos or pergolas, awnings, vines growing over arbors, and leafy trees. Perennials come back year after year, which means you'll save money on landscaping in the long run.

Even if grilling isn't your thing, you can still serve an easy-to-prepare menu that'll free you from kitchen duties. Handheld bites, like these Mini Tacos, are easy for guests to enjoy while mingling. Check out more easy-to-nosh nibbles that both you and your guests will love, below. A beautiful centerpiece makes any get-together feel more special, but they can be pricey. No worries, we have 10 ideas for DIY-ing a florist-worthy centerpiece on the cheap, like this bright arrangement featuring backyard blooms and citrus slices. Outdoor fun For many pet parents, pups are family, so include well-behaved fidos in the festivities.

Take your spring, summer or fall soirée from just fun to fun-tastic with our tips. Small, portable splash pads can be purchased online and are a good option for folks with smaller backyards or limited budgets. These are so affordable that you can pick one up for less than $10 and have it set up in minutes. Including one or more age-appropriate play structures is a good way to encourage being physically active while having fun.

Mix shapes and colors, or work within a visual theme. One great advantage of container gardening is its flexibility. You can easily move plants around your yard, create different spaces, and completely change your mind from season to season if you like.

Also, be sure to consider the overall size of your backyard. Some people like the idea of designing out every square inch of their backyard while others enjoy the look of a fresh, green lawn. Here's how to create a miniature piece of real estate that kids can call their own; we think it would also be the perfect vacation home for a toad.

I've made a few time capsules during my school days. No idea what happened to them or whether they've been found, but that's all part of the fun. Give the kids a run down and include some items that represent where they're at right now - it's a great way to reflect on the memories you've built so far. Make sure to relish those warm Summer nights, too!