Budget Friendly Backyard Patio Ideas

Our backyard is definitely a work in progress. After raising 5 kids, numerous cats and several dogs it had seen better days. Early years of lush green had yielded to sand boxes, yard games, the sound of happy laughter and busy feet. Spending time with family in the backyard was a messy, cherished tradition.

 There’s a reason I’ve never shared this outdoor space on the blog! It just seemed like we were never finished with it. Or maybe I just hadn’t made it a priority or taken the time to slow down and enjoy its beauty.

Your home doesn’t have to be perfect to be loved.

 

I take absolutely no credit for any outdoor beauty at our house. My husband and I have always had the rule guideline that he takes care of the outside and I take care of the inside! Honestly, though, I’ve always had allergies and he enjoys puttering around outside so I’m perfectly content to let him “decorate” as he pleases.

So sit back and let me show you around!

After an amazing deck restoration project it’s been even more enjoyable to spend time outside on our back deck.

Throughout our busy parenting years we’ve hosted birthday parties, cookouts, a surprise graduation party, a sweet sixteen party (details coming soon!) and many holidays here with our extended family. 

My husband works hard and rests hard and on most cool Saturdays I can find him mid-afternoon sitting by the fire pit, half dozing but mostly relaxing!

I have to share his ingenious (and budget conscious) patio ideas and fire pit.

 

This little path leading up to the fire pit  was created in the place our above ground pool was for many years. Tim used landscaping timbers,  pavers and crushed bricks to create a fun little walkway in the backyard.

Come on down the brick path to our repurposed patio and fire pit.

There are plenty of chairs for sitting around the fire and chatting.

(No extra charge for the naturally distressed bench!)

My clever hubby asked permission from our church to retrieve the brick patio from a home they tore down.

In addition to those pavers and bricks he took the remnants of our old chiminea and built a fire pit around it. Talk about inexpensive!

Inexpensive if you don’t count the cost of the old van with the broken axle that died a slow death in the driveway. 

 

In the background you can see hints of our gazebo which is actually the frame from a long ago two story tree house (that wasn’t actually in a tree!)

If you were sitting by the fire pit gazing back at the house this is what you’d see. 

You might just want to take a chance on that hanging chair. Sure looks comfortable!

Tim is slowly nursing our grass back to a healthy green and eventually we will do more landscaping. 

But for now, my blog header says it all.

Home is where your story begins.

Our backyard is a reflection of the years spent with family, laughing and fighting and playing together.

If you come visit this summer I hope this will be what you see. It’s the way summer was intended.

If you join us in the evening we might even wrangle up some Snicker’s Smores for you!

Our big project outside this year has been the addition of a front deck on the house. I haven’t done a reveal yet but if you follow me on Instagram you can see the progress or you can read all about our plans for our dream deck.

 

 

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