Summer is the best time to get outside and put your creative mind to work. It’s not hard to spend some time outdoors and improve your outdoor living space. You have countless options! We’ll go over 10 affordable and easy summer DIY projects.

1. DIY Fire Pit

Don’t have a grill? No problem. A DIY fire pit that makes a great addition to any backyard. It’s a quick and easy DIY project. Not to mention it will provide years worth of roasted marshmallows and cozy conversations by the fire.

2. DIY Garden Box

Why not enjoy fresh vegetables every morning, even if the soil around your home isn’t nutrient-rich. A simple DIY garden box (either above ground or below) is a great way to try your hand at gardening.

A garden box is easy to build too. All you need is treated wood and soil from your favorite home improvement store.

3. DIY Pergola Swing

So you’ve read our article on pergolas and finally built one. If you have spare wood lying around and can grab a few steel chain links from a home improvement store, you can build yourself a quick and easy DIY pergola swing for your patio area. Or, stick it in the corner of your garden for a cozy place to read a summer book.

4. DIY Outdoor Bench

If you don’t have a pergola or a place to tie a swing, an outdoor bench can be made quick and easy. All you need is a few pieces of lumber and cinder blocks.

5. DIY Gravel And Patio Set

Have you been wanting a backyard patio but don’t have a ton of time or money? Maybe you’re looking for a project less involved than hiring or supervising a contractor. If so, consider a gravel patio set. They are quick, affordable, and becoming more popular as lumber prices rise.

This may also be more your aesthetic. They are quintessentially European country garden style and give a cozy cottage feel to wherever you decide to create it.

Colored gravel can also be heat-resistant so you won’t have to worry about burning your feet if you prefer to be barefoot. Add a fun sandpit in the corner and you have your own beach oasis in your backyard.

6. DIY Tree Swing

This one is simple and nostalgic. A rope swing! For those of us who grew up in the south, you know that every grandparent had a rope swing in their backyard.

7. DIY Table Cooler 

Are you someone who loves to host outdoor parties? Try this quick and easy table cooler. It makes serving guests convenient so you don’t have to constantly go in and out of the kitchen.

You can use a patio table that you already have and just make a hole large enough for a bucket, fill it with ice, and you’ll never have to go in the kitchen to grab a drink again!

8. DIY Hanging Planter Box

Add a bit of color to your patio with a few DIY hanging planter boxes. This project can be made from all of the items from your local dollar store or that “junk” in the corner of your garage.

9. DIY Arbor

If you’ve been wanting a gazebo in your backyard but don’t have the money or the space why not try a DIY garden arbor?

An arbor can provide the same cozy space for summer reading without having such a heavy backyard presence.

10. DIY Backyard Projector

The cost of movie tickets is getting extreme. So why not bring the theater to your backyard with a DIY projection screen. It’s quick and easy to build but will provide your family, and maybe even the neighborhood, with hours of outdoor entertainment!

There you go: 10 Affordable and Easy Summer DIY Projects

You don’t need to spend a fortune to have a wonderful backyard.  Whether you’re a novice or a master craftsman, these 10 simple DIY summer projects will give you a reason to spend time outdoors.  

For more grilling tips, outdoor kitchen ideas and design inspiration, check out our Pinterest. Happy building!

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