15 Amazing DIY Backyard Patio Ideas On A Budget (2024)

FAQs

What is the most cost effective DIY patio? ›

What is the most budget-friendly DIY patio material? Packed gravel is the lowest-cost option. Gravel is inexpensive, and installation involves digging, tamping, spreading, and adding borders. It's a fast way to add usable backyard space.

Gravel. Gravel is, on average, the cheapest material for a patio and requires the least time to install. It can match well with a less landscaped, wilder garden or backyard, and offers great drainage.

Bricks and concrete pavers are the easiest patio materials to use because they have a uniform shape and create a relatively flat surface. That's helpful if you want to roll a grill across it, put down a mat to do Pilates or wear high heels while hosting a dinner party.

Gravel is the cheapest option when looking to create a patio on a budget. Otherwise, pebbles or reclaimed materials are also good options. If you're set on laying paving slabs, concrete is one of the cheapest materials, and when installed and maintained correctly, it can hold up well and last for years.

Building a patio is typically far less costly than building a deck, costing around half as much on average for labor and materials. On top of that, many deck materials require regular power washing and sealing to maintain their beauty and structural integrity, which adds more maintenance costs over its life span.

Concrete and gravel are the least expensive hardscape materials, often used to build affordable retaining walls, patios, driveways, and other outdoor structures.

Whether you are swapping out your old slabs or paving over a grass lawn, porcelain pavers are the ultimate low maintenance patio solution. Not only are they extremely hard-wearing, but porcelain paving is also non-porous, meaning accidental spills and wayward stains cannot penetrate the surface of the slab.

The most significant benefit of pea gravel is the price. It's the cheapest option compared to other types of landscaping rocks. It's also easy to find and doesn't require professional installation. Pea gravel is versatile and can be used in many different ways.

What is an alternative to a patio? ›

Loose Gravel

It's cheap and works well as a semi-permeable surface that doesn't require expensive maintenance. Borders can be used to help keep the gravel in place, or you can just rake it and add more when needed.

Is laying a patio difficult? Follow our simple steps, and you'll find that any DIY beginner can lay a patio. Although the steps involved are simple, this can be a time-consuming process. However, thorough preparation and planning will ensure the project is successful.

As one of the cheapest paving options on the market, Limestone is a great choice if you are looking to create a bold finish to your patio without breaking the bank! Black limestone slabs look stunning when wet, offering deep tones which are great at disguising most types of spills from a garden party or BBQ!

Pea gravel is undoubtedly inexpensive, simple to install, and comfortable underfoot. It's also great for drainage in areas prone to puddling after rain.

On average, patios cost about $3,200 to build and around $10 – $20 per square foot to install. Then, the materials cost close to $1.50 – $30 per square foot. As shown, it's cheaper and easier to build a patio. The cheapest material to build a patio with is concrete.

Concrete is consistently known to be cheaper than pavers. There's no doubt about it.

Concrete aggregates are great options for patios. These consist of gravel, crushed natural stone, and rocks. The materials are compacted down so they stay in place and provide a firm, beautiful-looking surface to walk on, place furniture, and enjoy.

The best material for patios is paver. The different types of pavers are concrete, clay brick, and natural stone. It's the best patio material due to its strength, ease of repair, and material options.