Backyard Design Ideas: Create a Better Backyard (On Any Budget)

A relaxing and inviting outdoor atmosphere for your backyard has many benefits.

Being outside and breathing fresh air can not only improve your health and happiness…

It can also strengthen relationships with the people you love.

In this article.

We are going to look at backyard design ideas that fit a variety of budgets.

Hopefully, you’ll get some inspiration for what might work best for you.

So you can get outside and enjoy your backyard the way you have always wanted!

Let’s get started with one of the most popular outdoor living features chosen by homeowners.

Warm Up Around A Fire Pit

A popular addition to many backyards is a fire pit.

A fire pit a great space for your family and friends to gather!

With a fire pit you can cook various food items like:

• S’mores (Most Popular)
• Hot Dogs
• Popcorn
• Shish Kabobs
• Corn On The Cob

There are so many creative dishes you can cook over your fire.

Not only can an outdoor fire pit be useful for cooking…

Your fire pit will be a great spot for friends and family to gather and play music, sing along, host celebrations, socialize or play some awesome campfire games.

Memories made by a campfire last forever!

Fire pits also create a beautiful aesthetic for your outdoor living space, and there are many unique fire pit designs you can choose from.

If you want to take it to the next level, you can even add a water feature to your fire pit.

Two of natures primary elements…. water and fire together create an amazingly relaxing area in any backyard.

There are many other fire pit design features you can also consider to customize your fire pit.

A few of which include:

• Stone benches
• Rock, brick or stucco options
• Gas fed flame or gas starters
• Table top fire pit

Redo Your Landscaping

A huge factor in any outdoor living space is the landscaping.

Landscaping can add color, texture and balance to your yard.

Due to the enormous variety of plant and yard feature options, it’s best to invest some time in landscape design for your backyard.

This can be as general or specific as you would like.

If you’re like most of us, it can be difficult to “envision” what you might want for backyard landscaping.

In that case, you might consider getting some backyard landscaping design ideas using an app like iScape.

iScape is a free app that allows you to photograph your backyard and virtually add plants, furniture, walkways, pergolas and more.

You can browse their options to begin creating a game plan for your new backyard.

Of course…

If you need help at any stage, one of our experienced backyard design specialist will be happy to help.

Let’s look at a few categories that fall under the landscaping umbrella.

Plants

You can plant flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, a garden and more.

There are lots of low maintenance plants that are beautiful and colorful.

To keep your plants healthy and happy they need two things…

Sunlight and water.

To ensure that you can keep your plants alive and healthy, it’s important understand just how much sunlight and water each item needs.

Great planning can help with plant layout.

For plants that only require a couple hours of sunlight, it may be better to put them close to a wall or fence that can act as a barrier to provide shade.

Full sun plants can be positioned at the edges of walkways or away from structures.

To water your plants, you may want to use sprinklers.

Sprinklers

In most places you will not be able to rely on rain to water your plants, so you will have to do it yourself.

You can water your plants manually with a hose by attaching a spray nozzle or watering wand.

There are portable sprinkler options that attach to a hose.

A portable sprinkler may be a good option if you only have one specific area you need watered…

…or you don’t mind walking outside every day to move the sprinkler around.

A better option for a large backyard may be an inground sprinkler system.

Sprinkler systems take the hassle out of watering.

Sprinkler systems are essential during hot months in Oklahoma and many other states.

Sprinklers can be programmed to turn on and off at specific times, so you can set up a custom schedule for your plants.

Walkways

A walkway can be useful to provide a path for people to use through your backyard.

A walkway can discourage people from walking through landscaping.

Keeping plants safer and shoes cleaner.

These can be built from limestone, gravel, bricks, concrete, wooden planks, stones or pavers.

Walkways can add style to your backyard.

There is a wide variety of color options, material choices, placement, size and layout options to choose from when designing your walkway.

Walkways can add a warm welcome to any outdoor living space.

Create Ambiance With Landscape Lighting

Outdoor lighting can set a great mood for your backyard after the sun goes down.

Lighting is also essential for the safety of people that may be walking outside in the evenings.

Options for outdoor lighting include: garden lights, spot lights, tree lights lamp posts, wall lights, motion lights, string lights, step lights and more.

Lighting can transform the look and feel of your backyard space.

It is one of the best ways to enhance the ambiance of your backyard in the evening.

Learn more about landscape lighting options in Tulsa.

Relax More With A Paver Patio

To create an inviting sitting space in your backyard design, you might consider a paver patio.

A paver patio is made from either concrete, stone or brick pavers.

With nearly unlimited design options to choose from when it comes to color, size and style…

…with pavers, you can create the exact look you want.

While a stamped concrete patio may be an excellent choice, pavers have skyrocketed in popularity.

And for good reason.

While concrete may require expensive repair if it cracks, paver patios can be repaired by replacing individual stones.

Paver patios are super durable and may offer a higher resale value for your home later on.

Paver patios are wonderful for pool decks, patios, walkways, driveways, porches and sidewalks.

Add Shade With A Wooden Pergola

Looking to add shade to an area of your backyard?

A wooden pergola is a wonderful addition you can make to your outdoor living space.

Wooden pergolas can be used to cover a seating area or can be left open.

Resting under a pergola is relaxing for all.

Decorate your pergola with string lights or plants to make your outdoor space more inviting.

This is a great space to entertain and host parties…

Your pergola can add some shade during the day and create an inviting mood in the evening when in combined with lights.

Create a magical escape by adding floral vines to grow up and over the top of your pergola.

Adding one of these gorgeous plants to the top can add more shade for your outdoor living space.

A wooden pergola is typically built with open sides, but can also be customized with lattice walls for added privacy. 

Rest Easy Under A New Pavilion

If you are looking for total shade and rain coverage over an outdoor space then you may want to invest in a pavilion.

A pavilion is a beautiful addition to any backyard and can be decorated with plants and lights.

They offer total coverage and can be used in combination with rain resistant curtains for additional protection.

There are many design options for a pavilion in terms of build type, stain and coatings, roofing materials, style and size.

A pavilion can protect your hot tub, outdoor kitchen space, grill, seating area, plants and more.

It can also be used to store items like a boat, motorcycle, mower, bikes, ATV, etc.

If you have an outdoor space you need to keep protected by rain for either practical or decorative reasons, a pavilion may be right for you. 

Build A Decorative Concrete Patio

A customized decorative concrete patio can add a very classy element to your backyard design.

Concrete patios and walkways can be poured in nearly any shape.

Stamped concrete patterns and concrete stain colors offer unlimited style choices to simulate stone or brick or to introduce unique textures to fit the style of your property.

Concrete dyes also offer color options.

A decorative concrete patio or pool deck may be the perfect solution for your backyard.

Go All Out With An Outdoor Fireplace

An outdoor fireplace creates a beautiful, warm and inviting focal point for your outdoor living space.

It is a perfect gathering place for cool nights in Oklahoma.

The conversations you will have around your outdoor fireplace will be priceless.

An outdoor fireplace is often combined with a pergola or pavilion and plenty of outdoor furniture.

This can make your outdoor fireplace the perfect place to gather and socialize.

Add seasonal decor to the mantle and around the base of the fireplace to make it yours.

Fireplaces are commonly built with stone or brick and come in a variety of colors, size and design options.

An outdoor fireplace is especially awesome when combined with an outdoor kitchen.

Entertain With An Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen may be perfect for your backyard if you like to entertain.

With an outdoor kitchen you can host cookouts right from your backyard.

There are so many design options you can choose from, so you can customize your outdoor kitchen to match the feel of your home and backyard design.

Your countertop or island can be made with a combination of stone, concrete, granite, quartz, travertine tile, stainless steel and other material.

Adding cabinets is a great option so you can store items like smaller cooking appliances, cooking utensils, grilling tools, charcoal, dishes and cleaning supplies.

Here are some common appliances you might choose for your outdoor kitchen:

• Outdoor Fridge
• Outdoor Kitchen Grill
• Hybrid Grilling Drawer
• Icemaker
• Sink
• Oven
• Gas Stove Top or Side Burners
• Dishwasher
• Pizza Oven
• Wine Cooler

Add an outdoor table and chairs or a picnic table.

A bar is also a great option for additional seating and serving.

An outdoor sound system sets the vibe.

The addition of a flat screen TV makes it just perfect for sitting around enjoying the day (or night).

In Summary

When it comes to backyard design ideas…

There are so many options for you to choose from.

From simple lighting and landscaping to impressive spaces for entertaining.

We hope this article has helped you with a few ideas, so you can get started thinking about what you want in your new backyard.

From start to finish…

918 Outdoor can help with concept planning, detailed design and construction to bring your vision to life.

View our gallery of Tulsa area outdoor living projects ›

If you have any questions or would like a quote, contact us.

We are more than happy to help.