Spring is in full swing, and summer is soon to follow. With the warm weather comes days of relaxing with friends and family outside. So, what can we do to transform the yard into an outdoor oasis without breaking the bank?

 Outdoor Furniture

Outdoor furniture is a great way to add character to your deck, patio, or porch, and having outdoor seating is great for entertaining in the summer.

A budget-friendly way of furnishing your yard is to shop second hand. Now is a great time to check out local yard, garage, and estate sales, as many people are in the process of spring cleaning and decluttering. These events are great for finding useful and practical pieces for your yard without hurting your wallet.

You can even make Do-it-Yourself projects that are fun for the whole family by painting and upcycling pieces to make them uniquely your own.

Facebook marketplace and buy nothing groups are also great places to find new and used patio furniture for a low price. Check out our blog “Buy Nothing Facebook Groups” to learn more about how to join and what you can expect to find in buy nothing groups.

Landscaping

Another way to spruce up your space can be achieved through good landscaping (as long as you don’t mind getting your hands dirty).

Potted plants can add so much color and charm to your yard. You can find beautiful planters and pots second hand from the same places listed above, and flower seeds are inexpensive. Just make sure you do your research before you buy to make sure you’re getting seeds that flourish in your area during the summer months, and that you’re caring for your plants with the proper amount of water, soil, and sunlight.

Gardens are also a wonderful way to utilize your yard space, and who doesn’t love fresh, home-grown produce! For smaller spaces, planters like this one from Home Depot would be perfect, or you can designate a patch of your yard to gardening if space is permitting.

For more inexpensive landscaping hacks, check out our blog “Cheap Landscaping Hacks That Will Elevate Your Yard.”

Cleaning your Outdoor Space

When you bring out your existing summer furniture and outside décor, wipe off any dust or dirt from storage. Use your hose to spray down furniture, railings, windows, garage doors and siding and create a mixture of dish soap and water to gently remove any build-up on these surfaces. Power washing your driveway, deck, or patio could also give your outdoor spaces a fresh look for summer!

Ambiance

Finally, you can add some ambiance to your space by installing a variety of light fixtures around your yard. You can add path lighting around your patio or driveway, or you can even string some outdoor lights (like these ones from Home Depot) from your deck, porch, or patio. These lights are great for entertaining at night and help make your space useful at any time of the day or night.

How do you utilize your outdoor space? Leave some tips in the comments!

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