The Best Home & Garden DIYs To Enjoy The Summer On A Budget

With warmer weather and longer days, summer is the perfect time to let your creativity bloom. If you're feeling inspired to make some improvements to your home or garden, you don't need to hire a contractor or spend thousands of dollars to make an impact. There are many do-it-yourself projects you can complete over a weekend, even if the budget's tight. With some creativity and a can-do attitude, you can tackle these summer DIY projects without breaking the bank.

Not sure where to start? We've rounded up some budget-friendly updates you can make around your home, yard, garden, or pool. Most projects cost under $50, and some may set you back even less, depending on the tools and items you already have around your home. Whether you want to upgrade your outdoor space or bring a summer vibe to your interior decor, you can find some creative inspiration here. The best part? You don't need to be a DIY expert to pull these off. Check out these easy, low-cost projects you can enjoy all summer long.

Do you have 40 minutes to spare this weekend? If so, you can build a vegetable garden to enjoy some summer produce. This video from @katesbackyardgardening8451 explains how to make a raised garden bed with some 2-by-6-inch boards and concrete planter wall blocks, which you can find at Home Depot or Lowe's for less than $4 each. Simply slot the boards into the blocks, lay some soil, and start planting. In the summer, make sure you choose sun-hungry vegetable plants that can handle the heat, like sweet potatoes, beans, or tomatoes. Tend to your garden and enjoy the fruits of your (not-so-strenuous) labor all season long.

Imagine yourself surrounded by twinkling lights on a warm summer evening, relaxing on the deck with a cool beverage in hand. If that sounds too good to be true, think again. As @macy.blackwell shows in this video, it's easy to add a warm glow to your outdoor space with battery-operated fairy lights, like this option from Amazon. Using a remote control, you can turn on the lights at the touch of a button. Better yet, purchase lights with a timer option and set them to come on automatically each night. When summer ends, save the lights and reuse them to give your outdoor holiday greenery a charming upgrade in the winter.

Adding some colorful plants to your front porch is an easy way to boost your home's curb appeal on a budget. But some planters cost far more than the flowers they hold. Get creative and find a cheaper option, like @hometalk has done in this video. With two plastic pots from the Dollar Tree, a drill, and some hot glue, you can make a stylish planter for just a few dollars. You can use these planters for real or faux plants, depending on your green thumb. In the fall, use the planters for some vibrant annuals, like mums or marigolds.

What keeps you from enjoying summer to the fullest? If you're like many people, your answer can be summed up in one word: heat. With some inexpensive window tint, such as this product from Amazon, you can get some relief from the heat in the sunniest parts of your home. It's simple to install and easily removable, making it a good option for renters. Like @​​loganstonemoses explains in this video, the film doesn't block natural light completely, so you can enjoy sunny days without sweating. Plus, it may help with another not-so-fun part of summer: high energy bills.

An outdoor picnic can be a fun summertime activity, until you realize you're sore the next day from sitting on the ground. Fix the problem with some affordable outdoor seating, like this option from @hometalk. Search your home for some unused plastic crates, or pick up a few on your next shopping trip (Walmart sells some affordable ones). Attach a wood piece to the bottom of each crate. If you want to make your picnic seating look more upscale, spray paint the crate in your favorite color or stain the wood in a rich tone. For more comfort and style, you can even add a cushion in a fun pattern to match your other outdoor decor.

If you and your family spend hours on the patio in the summer, make sure it's a space that makes you happy. If your concrete patio doesn't spark Marie Kondo-level joy, give it a refresh with some paint. Choose a fun geometric stencil, such as this one from Amazon, to make a big impact. With this type of pattern, you don't need to worry about small imperfections, since they'll be virtually unnoticeable once you've painted the entire patio. As evidenced by @artteacherkim's before-and-after video, stenciling can make a huge difference to your outdoor space.

Fresh flowers can make your home feel more like summer. Display your floral arrangements in a Pinterest-worthy planter box, shown here in this video from @mama_canbuildit. Using some wood boards, you can easily build the frame to your desired dimensions. Once you have the box built, attach some landscape fabric to the frame and plant your favorite flowers, veggies, or herbs. The creator estimates the project only takes 15 minutes to complete, though you may want to give yourself some extra time if you're not an avid DIYer. You can proudly display your new planter box indoors or outdoors, but make sure you treat the wood if you plan to keep it outside.

Add some charm and whimsy to your outdoor space with a few hula hoops and some string lights. This child's toy can make your backyard feel magical, as you can see in this video by @hometalk. To achieve this affordable look, you only need the hoops, a can of spray paint, and some fairy lights. When you're done, use fishing wire to hang your glittering hoops from tree branches, fence posts, or garden stakes. For under $20, this simple DIY can transform your yard or garden into a charming oasis, making you the envy of your neighbors this summer.

The sound of a gurgling fountain can instantly conjure memories of summers spent on the water. But the price of a fountain, not to mention the installation and upkeep, can make this water feature unattainable for many people. Luckily, there are ways to build a budget-friendly fountain for your garden, like this DIY project from @reclaiminghomedecorating. You'll need an old planter, a bowl, and a fountain pump. You can search online to find affordable pumps for small fountains, such as this one from Home Depot. Don't have a planter? Look around your home for another item you can repurpose, like an old wheelbarrow you can transform into a beautiful outdoor water feature.

If your home is the place to be this summer, bring a smile to your guests' faces with a cheerful doormat. Sure, you could buy a summer-themed doormat for relatively cheap, but where's the fun in that? Instead, gather your painting supplies and use a plain doormat as a blank canvas, letting your creative juices flow. Freehand some designs or use stencils to add patterns, shapes, or quotes. For some inspiration, look to @eliza.lynne, who made mats featuring strawberries and daisies. You can even create themed designs for the summer holidays, like a flag mat for Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.

When you want to enjoy a summer day with a good book or a leisurely nap outside, the last thing you want is to be interrupted by your neighbors. Create some privacy in your outdoor space with an easy-to-make screen. In this video, @tinalemac demonstrates how to make a privacy screen with an affordable outdoor mat, like this one from World Market. You can find similar options at many other stores. Grab a few in the same design, or pair complementary ones together for a stunning effect. It's a great, affordable privacy option, especially if you only need one or two mats for your space.

Do you need some extra space to store outdoor clutter, like towels and games? Instead of spending money on a deck box or similar option, make a cute, functional end table with hidden storage. TikTok creator @macy.blackwell shows how you can do this simple DIY in a few steps. You'll need an old planter and a round wood board, which you can usually find at a good price. This option from Lowe's, for example, costs under $10. This easy, no-fuss project provides nearly endless storage functionality. Use it to hold gardening tools, bug spray, sunscreen, outdoor tableware, or any other small items you want to keep outside for easy access.

For many people, the porch or deck becomes an extension of their living space in the summer. If you want to decorate outside without spending tons of money, consider using simple, versatile pieces, like this DIY tray from @d1paolap. You can make a similar tray with a few wood boards and some peel-and-stick wallpaper. To keep costs lower, recycle some wall art you don't display anymore as the base for your tray. Keep the tray outside and use it to hold lanterns, candles, or potted plants. Don't care so much about decor? It's also a functional way to bring out food and drinks when you're hosting a picnic or barbecue.

A fire pit offers a cozy space where you can make memories in the summer evenings. If a full-size fire pit isn't in the budget this year, make your own tabletop version instead. In this video, @kelligalla shares how you can create one for under $25. You can pick up the same fuel canister and torch fuel at Walmart. Place the canister in a small planter or bowl and fill it with fireproof rocks, stones, or sand. Light the wick and voila! You have the perfect place to gather when the sun goes down.

Can't get to the beach this summer? Bring the beach to you with an easy DIY decor project, like this one from creator @kashsavingkeycha. Simply glue some jute rope around the base of a glass vase and fill it with shells. You can find shells in stores or use ones you've collected from your travels for a personal touch. If you don't have shells, you can fill the vase with other seasonal items, like sand, marbles, fairy lights, or fruits. Make a few vases and display them around your home until it's time to decorate for fall.

If you're lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard, add some budget-friendly lighting so you can keep swimming well into the night. In this video, @brittanytaylor5193 explains how to attach solar lights to your above-ground pool. You can find these inexpensive lights at many retailers, such as this option from Amazon. Get some cable ties and use them to secure the lights around the pool wall. Once the sun charges the lights, they should come on and add a warm glow to your pool area. You can also use solar lights in other parts of your yard or garden for some extra ambiance on summer nights.

There's nothing better than cooling off in the pool on a hot day. Take your pool game to the next level with a DIY floating chair. This project, as explained in a video by @randomwithbettie, uses foam pool noodles you can buy for about $1 each. It involves cutting, gluing, and tying some noodles together to form a floating lounge chair you can use throughout the summer. Since you can tailor the size, make custom ones for each family member to use on your next pool day. If you have extra noodles when you're done, put them to good use with some other creative hacks that won't break the bank.