A backyard should be an oasis — a place for you to escape the troubles of the world around you and relax. Sometimes, though, our backyards don’t reflect the oasis we dream of. That means it’s time to get to work creating the perfect backyard oasis you’ve always imagined for yourself.
You might be wondering how to get started creating the space of your dreams, and we’re here to help!
Luckily for you, we know a thing or two about creating backyard escapes (sometimes out of nothing). The trick is to create something that makes you happy and is as easy as can be on your budget.
But, sometimes splurging on something like your backyard oasis isn’t always a bad thing.
The good news? We’ve found some of the most affordable DIY projects that are sure to take your backyard from drab to relaxing in no time flat.
With simple projects like adding string lights all the way to more in-depth projects like building a wooden deck, there’s something for everyone on this list of backyard ideas.
You can certainly choose the project that’s easiest for you to get started with right now and add to your oasis little by little. Either way, these projects are great for creating the space you need to relax and escape right in your own backyard.
Let’s take a look at some ideas for a DIY backyard oasis you can start enjoying today!
Table of Contents
1. No Deck, No Problem
One of the first things that can totally transform your backyard into a true oasis is a deck.
Chairs, couches, and even hammocks on a grassy area aren’t necessarily the worst things in the world. But, when you add a deck to your backyard, you take it to a whole new level! And an even sweeter bonus is that it adds serious resale value to your home.
So, if you ever decide to leave your dream home, you will be adding money to your pocket.
Building a deck is easy to do, even as a DIYer. You could opt for an easy concrete deck that requires little-to-no prep work.
In fact, you can check out a DIY guide and get to work today! Or, you could go for a more rustic feel with a wooden deck, which you can also learn how to do, and with a small budget, by using an online guide.
What we really love about building your own deck is how customizable it can be for your specific needs/wants. Concrete can be painted just like wood, which means you can make it look any way you desire. Take it the natural route and leave it the way it comes, or paint a design on it.
Sometimes, stepping out onto a deck with a colorful design or art piece can take you to a whole new world instantly.
Do whatever makes you happiest with the design, but know that adding a deck to your backyard will create the oasis you’ve been wanting.
2. Create a Path
You might already have a deck that serves another purpose. Maybe what you’re looking for is another escape within your backyard away from the hustle and bustle of your actual home.
Most decks are attached to the home itself, which means you may not get much relaxation from sitting on it every day. However, there is another solution.
Create a path made of stonework to another area of your backyard where you can truly escape.
Stone is such an easy material to use to create a path in your backyard that you can build it in one day flat. A great thing about a path made of stone is it can make you feel like you’re traveling to hideaway destination without much effort.
You could make the path lead to a fire pit, a hammock, or even a small water feature. No matter where the path leads you, there is no doubt that you’ll find solace in the silence, the path leads you to.
There are other options you can explore with paths, too. Check out our rustic pathways blog to get more ideas on how to create the perfect pathway in your backyard.
3. Tree Benches
If you are one of the lucky ones who live in a highly wooded area, you may have trees galore in your backyard! Most people would kill for this type of landscape in their yard, so consider yourself lucky.
The problem is that you might be wondering what exactly you can do with the trees to create an escape from the world around you.
Hammocks are an instant way to take yourself to an island somewhere far away (we’ll talk about that in a minute, don’t worry), but create tree benches are also a great way to cozy up to nature and escape reality for a bit.
Tree benches are constructed around the tree in a pentagon shape (the shape actually depends on the size of the tree trunk). With legs protruding from the bottom of the bench, the seats are screwed into the tree with heavy duty screws.
Consult a professional about the best types of screws for the job, though, to ensure that your seat stays put while you’re sitting on it.
Add some cozy pillows and blankets and take your book out to your tree bench to get away from everything and everyone. You may even enjoy it so much that you find yourself taking little naps on the tree bench. We won’t judge you at all, we promise.
In fact, we might even be kind of jealous.
4. Swinging Hammocks
We told you we’d get here!
Everyone knows that a good hammock will create your backyard oasis in no time. And, they’re so easy to hang that you could have five hammocks in your backyard oasis before you know it. Just kidding — 5 hammocks might be a bit extreme (or not, who knows).
However, what we do know is that hammocks are great for helping you find the escape you need no matter when it is or what’s happening in the world around you.
If you don’t have large trees in your backyard, you could build a pergola or use a hammock stand to hang your hammocks. No matter how they get put up, you can rest assured that swinging in your hammock will transport you to an ocean on an island somewhere in an instant.
Hammocks are also great for hot summer days when a breeze is exactly what you need.
5. Pergola
Building your own pergola is not as hard as it sounds, and there are even multiple online tutorials to help you every step of the way.
Pergolas are amazing structures that can take you from being exposed to becoming hidden in no time. They are typically built with open walls and a semi-open roof.
Made from wood or metal, pergolas are great for creating a space that is both private and airy at the same time.
To create your backyard oasis with a pergola, hang light-weight curtains or a mesh material that will give you the option to close off the space and create an outdoor room of its own. Inside of the curtained walls, you could add couches, chairs, pillows, outdoor rug, and even lighting to give it the home away from home feel.
Dinner parties, birthday celebrations, and general summer night relaxation can be enjoyed in your very own pergola. You can build your own pergola without breaking the bank, too.
Some material is cheaper than others, but the key is to get material that is meant to be outside. If you purchase wood to build your pergola, you will want to ensure that it is treated for the outdoors or treat it yourself.
You can seek professional help in determining the best route for your very own pergola.
No matter what you use to build your pergola, the backyard oasis is right at your fingertips.
6. Pallet Seating
A sure way to create an oasis in your backyard is to include comfortable seating. One way to do that is by making your seating out of old pallets.
Pallets are used to create bases for couches, chairs, and other seating options. They’re inexpensive (sometimes free depending on where you get them from) and sturdy.
One tip for creating pallet seating: be sure to get the wood treated for the outdoor weather exposure. If you don’t do this, you risk having the wood rot or become discolored over time.
You can treat the wood and then paint it the desired color for your design preference.
Add cute pillows, throw blankets, and seat cushions to the pallet furniture to give it a homey feeling outside. You can escape the world around you and enjoy comfortable seating in your backyard with these DIY seats.
7. String Lights
An easy DIY project for you to do is to add string lights to your backyard. This is an easy way to create an escape from the world around you in your backyard.
String lights sometimes are equated solely to Christmas time, but they’re great for use any time of the year. In fact, you can find white string lights that are versatile and great for entertaining or relaxing.
A great place to add string lights is to a pergola or on a deck. If you don’t have anywhere to hang the lights from, you can install wooden poles to string the lights from.
You can get small wooden poles that are inexpensive and easy to plant into the ground.
Place the wooden poles around the exterior of your deck/patio and hang the lights. You’ll instantly transform your space into an oasis under the stars!
8. Warm Up Your Backyard Oasis with a Fire Pit
To bring all of these beautiful oasis backyard designs together into one place, add a fire pit to be the central focal point.
You can make your path lead to the fire pit, hang hammocks around the area, and add comfortable pallet seating to create the ultimate oasis escape.
Fire pits are generally easy to build. They’re not the cheapest DIY project you can find, but they don’t break the bank either. You need a few pieces of stone/brick, a metal fire pit ring, gravel, and masonry adhesive to get the job done.
Some smaller hardware stores will have the masonry stone that you need to create the fire pit, but if you can’t find them there, you can find them at Lowe’s or Home Depot easily. You may even be able to find them on sale, which is always positive. These will be the most expensive piece of the project.
Remove the sod from a circular area. Make sure to measure it correctly so that you have enough stones to create the fire pit.
The area doesn’t have to be deep, but it does need to be deep enough to hold a layer of gravel. Add the gravel the sod-free area. Add the metal fire pit ring to the outside (enclosing the gravel).
This ring will help the fire to continue to burn appropriately. Then, place the stones around the outside of the metal fire pit ring and piece them together with masonry adhesive.
There you have it! You’re done with your fire pit before you know it. And, with seating, hammocks, and string lights, you’ll have the backyard oasis you always dreamt about.
9. Build An Outdoor Mini Bar With Drinks
It would be too cumbersome during a party, say, to have to go and fetch drinks from the neighborhood store. You can think of installing a portable cart from where you can serve drinks. You can also use a backyard bar cart. Alternatively, you can keep a mini-fridge there to hold all your wine and champagne. It would be neat to have some seating arrangements around the place.
10. Rustic Dining Table
There is indeed nothing like the feeling of having dinner while relaxing in the moonlight with friends and family. You can make use of an abandoned barn door or wooden stumps. These can be hoisted to create a convenient yet rustic dining table for the purpose. Additionally, you can use wooden crates which have been refurbished for storing food and the like.
Creating Your Space
Having your backyard oasis is easy and attainable. These DIY projects are easy to do in one weekend and can transform your space instantly. Relaxation and peacefulness are key to these DIY project designs.
If you’re ready to give yourself the oasis you desire, these DIY ideas are great places to start. There’s no better time than right now to give your backyard a makeover and create a space to escape from the busyness that surrounds you on a daily basis.