Making the Most of Your Outdoor Space on Any Budget

Lazy Sunday BBQs, drinks out on the patio, or running through the sprinklers with the kids. If these memories resonate with you, then you already know that outdoor living is a huge part of the Australian lifestyle, especially through the summer months.

The best part is, you don’t need a huge garden or big renovation budget to make your outdoor space the place to be, and it probably has more potential than you think.

Whether it’s through small improvements like decorative updates or major structural renovations, anyone can transform their backyard into a relaxing and functional extension of their home.

In this article, we have collated a few changes you can make to make the most of your outdoor space on any makeshift budget.

First, determine how you want to use the space

Before starting anything, it is important to work out how you want to use your outdoor space. Only then can you begin to plan accordingly. Some ideas might include:

Entertaining: If you love gathering your friends and family for a backyard feast or a couple of drinks on a hot summer’s day, a space that caters to entertaining would suit you best.

Relaxing: If you enjoy sitting back and embracing the ambiance, enjoying a quiet book, or even taking a cheeky outdoor nap on a lazy weekend afternoon, designing a space for relaxation would be a priority.

Gardening: If you have a bit of a green thumb, planning to maximize your sunny and shady locations to suit your different gardening needs should take focus.

Family play: If you have a young family who loves hanging together outdoors, creating communal places to chat and play is the way to go.

For each of these ideas, it is important to set a clear budget and priorities before starting. You should focus on spending on items that will have the biggest impact on your desired space; for example, comfortable seating if you plan to relax, shade solutions if you are family-oriented, or weather protection if you love entertaining rain, hail, or shine.

Consider creating an indoor-outdoor area

Indoor-outdoor living blurs the boundaries between a home’s interior and its exterior. It creates a seamless, expanded living space that offers increased natural light, improved air quality, superior entertaining options, greater square footage of functional living space,  and an enhanced connection to nature. Evidence has also shown that there is even a remarkable correlation between exposure to outdoor and indoor greenness, which can help improve mental health and reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.

Some ways to create a functional indoor-outdoor space include:

• Open up the space by knocking down walls or current doorways and installing large sliding or bi-fold doors.

• Adding or refurbishing outdoor decking for seamless integration.
• Installing built-in seating or an outdoor kitchen for the ultimate dining experience.
• Investing in durable, outdoor furniture that is weather-resistant, good lighting, and shade structures.
• Add custom fly screens for windows and doors from a company like EZ Windows to keep bugs out without sacrificing the summer vibes.

Not only do these upgrades improve your lifestyle, but they can also add value to your property.

Consider smart solutions for small spaces

If your outdoor space is on the smaller side, you are a renter, or perhaps all you have is a balcony, there are still smart solutions to consider to upgrade the space. Creating a cozy, flexible space that can move with you is the goal here, and may include:

• Portable furniture and foldable tables are great for renters and those with little space to still have seating or dining options that can be pulled out and put away as required.
• Hanging plants or railing planters are great space-savers while still allowing for a little greenery to liven up a space.
• If your neighbors are a little too close for comfort, consider outdoor screens for some privacy, while also creating a more “dedicated space” feel.
• Temporary flooring like deck tiles can change the entire feel of an outdoor space, without the permanency of proper decking.

Investigate budget-friendly improvements

If large-scale changes are not on the cards, there are a number of small changes you can invest in to make a big impact. These improvements focus on styling, greenery, and repurposing what you already have.

• Affordable styling ideas may include adding a new outdoor rug to your space, finding fun cushions or throws for your seating (and for warmth), hanging string lights or using solar garden lights for ambiance, or creating your own fun DIY planters.
• Adding greenery helps bring life into the space. You may consider simple potted plants, fun vertical gardens if you are challenged for space, or even investing in small herb or veggie gardens for a more practical spin on it.
• Repurposing existing furniture through upcycling old pieces with a fresh coat of paint, turning crates into plant stands or coffee tables, or using pallets as DIY seating, offers a budget-friendly way to dramatically change the feel of the space without major costs.

Finding pieces that work for you and your style does not need to break the bank, and can instantly lift the feel of any outdoor space.