20 Best Budget Small Backyard Ideas for Summer in 2024

With the economy this tight, renovating or upgrading your property is not something you are likely to be considering any time soon. However, what if there were some tight budget, small backyard ideas that you could try out without having to break the bank? 

At Autonomous, you can find the modern summer house that you have always dreamed of owning, but this time, you can get it at very affordable prices. There are also so many other awesome additions you can make to your backyard at very little cost. 

Without further delay, consider the following 20 low-budget, small backyard ideas for 2023:

20 Best Budget Small Backyard Ideas to Fully Enjoy Summer

1. Build a Prefab ADU

The right prefab ADU could be the answer to all your problems. It would look great sitting in your backyard while providing you with the perfect place to escape for a little while. Once you have added an ADU to your property, you can rest assured that its value will soon skyrocket.

2. Get a Garden Shed for Extra Storage

There are many low-budget, small garden ideas that you can consider, but not all of them will offer you the kind of intrinsic value that a beautiful garden shed will. 

Not everyone has the space to implement their shed house ideas, so if you are lucky enough to be one of the few who do, you should make the best of it by visiting Autonomous and picking the perfect ADU to use as a garden shed.

3. Consider a Rental Unit

One of the best things about making prefab home additions to your property is that you will have potentially added an extra source of income. In such a tough economy, having a little bit of rental income to rely on is a good thing. When you are not using your ADU as a shed or sleep pod, you could rent it out and enjoy earning passive income. 

4. How About Your Own Studio/ Home Office?

The drive to switch from commuting to work every day to working from home means that many low-budget, small backyard ideas have to do with adding either a studio or home office to the property. 

Depending on the type of housing you have, you can easily make space for the best home office ever in your backyard. Say goodbye to wasting time driving to work every day.

5. Turn It Into a Man Cave!

One of the best small backyard design ideas on a budget that can prove to be very useful is to turn your multi-dwelling housing unit into a man cave. Everyone needs a place to go where they can relax and enjoy some of the things that they love. A man cave can be the perfect option. 

6. Add Some Patio Furniture

Not all backyard renovations have to be expensive. If you are looking for cheap backyard ideas for small yards, simply adding some patio furniture could do the trick. You can create an awesome place to hang out with your family and friends. Visit Autonomous and take a look at some of the awesome outdoor furniture that is available. 

7. Build a Backyard Pool

Who doesn’t crave a dip in the pool on those hot summer days? With just a few adjustments to your backyard, you can find a way to fit a small pool right there on your property. No need to visit the public pool for a dip anymore. Simply step outside and enjoy your very own backyard pool.

8. Light It Up!

You will be surprised at how beautiful your backyard can look with just a few lights added here and there. This is a great choice if you want a few small backyard ideas on a budget. Simply get some outdoor lights from Autonomous and transform your backyard instantly.

9. Go for Mulch and Gravel

Many people love having a great lawn in their backyard, and spend thousands of dollars on landscaping. However, maintaining a good lawn is not as easy as you might think. To avoid having to water and weed your grass regularly, why not substitute it for mulch and gravel instead? 

Of all the low-budget small backyard ideas you can choose, simply adding some gravel to your backyard is one of the easiest. No need to always keep an eye on it and invest a lot more in its maintenance.

10. Relax in Your Hammock

What could be easier and more affordable than simply setting up a hammock in your backyard? Cheap backyard ideas for small yards do not come any cheaper than this. With just a little bit of effort, you will have the best place to read a book or take an afternoon nap.

11. Make DIY Planters

It is not a surprise that most of the low-budget small garden ideas that you will find involve a bit of DIY. This is one of the best ways to save money. You could, for example, design your own DIY planters to hold a wide range of flowers scattered across your backyard. It is affordable and produces great results. 

12. Add a Nice Water Feature

While some water features are too expensive to be considered small backyard design ideas on a budget, there are a few small ones that you can try. A water feature is a great way to create a peaceful atmosphere on your property. You can even add some Koi fish in there if you want. 

13. Set up Your Own Movie Theater

How about enjoying your favorite movies in your backyard as if you were at the cinema? All you need is a projector and a blank wall and you have the makings of a great theater. You can combine this idea with your patio furniture to create the kind of backyard everyone will want to hang out in. 

14. Create an Outdoor Kitchen

If you want to try something unique that will set your backyard apart, you can consider creating an outdoor kitchen. This will provide you with the perfect place to host barbecues and outdoor lunches for your guests. Instead of having to go in and out of the house all day, you will have everything you need right there in your backyard.

15. Get Creative With What You Have

The key to tight-budget, small backyard ideas is to try and make the best of the items you already have in your backyard so that you can cut back on the total costs. 

If, for example, you have some old furniture and tiles in your house, you do not have to throw them out. With a few licks of paint and some slight refurbishment, these items could make awesome additions to your backyard. 

16. Look Out for Bargains

There are a lot of places where you can get the best furniture items that are suitable for cheap backyard ideas for small yards. At Autonomous, you can always find great bargains on outdoor furniture, lighting, ADUs, and other items that you may need to bring your backyard ideas to life. 

17. Repurpose the Old Landscaping

Landscaping can be one of the biggest costs you will have to shoulder when renovating your backyard. If you are working on a tight budget, why not consider repurposing the landscaping that you already have? Old tiles, for example, can be converted into a great garden path across your backyard at very little cost.

18. Start a Rock Garden

One of the best low-budget small garden ideas that you need to consider is starting a rock garden. This is probably something you never considered doing, but after seeing how beautiful some rock gardens are, you will likely change your mind. 

The beauty of a rock garden is, unlike a regular garden, there is no need to water it continuously. With so little maintenance required, this will be the perfect addition to your property. 

19.  Add a Decorative Centerpiece

There is nothing like a beautiful centerpiece right in the middle of your backyard to draw attention and add the finishing touch to your property. Keeping in line with small backyard ideas on a budget, you can find a wide range of affordable items to use as part of your centerpiece. 

20. Create a Play-area for Kids

If you have young children in the house, your low-budget small backyard ideas have to include something for the kids to enjoy. Creating a play area for them can be a lot of fun, and does not have to be very expensive either. 

You can start with simple items, such as a swing and a sand pit for the kids to play in. Over time, you can add some extra items until you have the perfect playground where your kids and their friends can enjoy hours of fun.

Three Awesome Autonomous ADUs to Consider

Many homeowners dream of having a quaint little modular guest house sitting in their backyard but always assume they cannot afford one on their limited budget. However, what if all you need is to find the right supplier to give you exactly what you need at affordable prices? 

Autonomous has three top-notch ADUs that would look great sitting in your backyard right now. With these three very different types of ADUs to consider, you are sure to find the best design to suit your taste and needs. 

If you are looking for the ultimate centerpiece for your revamped backyard, look no further than one of the following top-quality ADUs from Autonomous: 

Autonomous WorkPod

Out of all the office pods for sale that you are likely to come across online, none have the perfect blend of features and affordability to match the Autonomous WorkPod.

This multi-purpose ADU comes packed with fantastic features to make it the perfect addition to your backyard. When you need the perfect place to escape for a little while, the WorkPod is the ideal solution.

Autonomous WorkPod

Shop now

Specifications

Dimension	8’6’’W x  11’9’’L x 11’H
Ceiling height	6’10’’ to 9’4’’
Window material	Wooden frame, 5/16” tempered glass
Door material	Anodized aluminum frame,  5/16” tempered glass
Material	Siding: bitumen, housewrap, vinyl silding Roof: bitumen, housewrap, shingles roof Floor: plywood Balcony: composite wood
Include	Optional: SmartDesk Connect, ErgoChair Pro+, Dual Monitor Arm, Cable Tray, Steel Cabinet, Anti-Fatigue Mat. Always included: Electrical Cabinet & Bookshelf
Floorspace	98 square feet
Capacity	2.9 tons

Autonomous WorkPod Versatile

With the right ADU, you can do a lot more than simply relax in your backyard. Take this prefab studio for example. The Autonomous WorkPod Versatile is designed to provide the best place to set up a home office or work studio, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Its solid walls make it a great place to work when you need privacy and solitude. When you are done working, you can simply convert the WorkPod Versatile into an awesome sleep pod to relax in.

Autonomous WorkPod Versatile

Shop now

Specifications

Dimension	8’4”W x 12’6”L x 9’10”H
Floorspace	105 square feet
Ceiling height	7’3”
Weight capacity	2.9 tons
Pedestal	18”W x 43”L x 7”
Window & door material	Powder-coated aluminum,  5/16” tempered glass
Material	Siding: plywood 1/2”, steel frame, honeycomb paper, plywood 3/8”, bitume, housewrap, vinyl siding Roof: roof shingles Floor: plywood Pedestal: steel frame & wood plastic composite
Electrical devices	RCB, Wall outlet, Ceiling light switch, Ceiling light, Ventilator switch, Ventilator, Ethernet wall port, 66ft power cable with 2 connectors
Include	Optional: Cabinet, Desk, Small & Big Bookshelf, TV Shelf, Foldable Sofa Table, Convertible Sofa Bed. Always included: Electrical Cabinet
Power input	Maximum voltage : 110V AC (US standard) Maximum current : 25A Maximum power dissipation : 2750W

Autonomous WorkPod mini

When looking for small backyard ideas on a budget, most ADUs will be too expensive for your requirements. However, the WorkPod mini is one of the few exceptions. This affordable prefab ADU will give you access to all the great features you would expect to find in a much larger ADU but for a fraction of the cost.

While it is small, it is still large enough to allow you to move around freely, create a great home office, or even convert it into a cozy sleep pod. Its size also means you do not have to worry about obtaining a permit in most localities.

Autonomous WorkPod mini

Shop now

Specifications

Dimension	8.7"W x 8.12"L x 9.3"H
Material	Window and door: powder-coated aluminum, 5/16-inch tempered glass Siding: plywood 1/2-inch, steel frame, honeycomb paper, plywood 3/8-inch, bitume, housewrap, vinyl siding Roof: metal roofing Floor: plywood Balcony and Pedestal: steel frame and wood plastic composite
Pedestal	24"W x 103"L x 9"H
Electrical devices	RCB, Wall outlet, Ceiling light switch, Ceiling light, Wall light, Ethernet wall port, 66ft power cable with 2 connectors
Weight capacity	2.3 tons (including Pod body)
Floorspace	80 square feet
Ceiling height	7.3-inch

Upgrade Your Backyard Easily With Autonomous

With so many low-budget, small backyard ideas to consider, what is stopping you from upgrading your property today? These ideas will bring a lot of joy to you and your family, while also increasing the value of your property.

Some of the ideas in this article are very simple to implement, and what's more, they will not cost you an arm and a leg to do so. When it's time to make some changes to your backyard, head over to Autonomous and see which of these ideas is perfect for you.