Want a few spring DIY crafts to fill your weekends up? We’ve got you covered!
We’ve created a list of ideas, supplies and steps to help you create your own outdoor decor, even if you’re on a tight budget or have a small patio!

Follow our suggestions for these 3 cheap and easy DIY backyard patio ideas — and maybe even get them all done in one weekend! Liven up your home this spring and design the exact look you’re going for, from rustic and welcoming to hip and eclectic.

1. DIY Welcome Mats & Wooden Signs

If you’re looking for a few of the easiest outdoor decorating ideas for any budget, DIY welcome signs and mats are a great place to start. The supplies won’t break your budget, and these projects are not labor intensive, so be sure to stock up on materials so you can unleash your creativity.

Soon you’ll have personalized doormats for your front and back entrances, and unique signs you can hang up in your backyard, patio, or wherever!

Difficulty: About 1-2 hours: You could even knock out enough decor items for your home and your neighbors!

What you need:

Doormats:

• – Plain doormats (get one for every entrance!)
• – Paint brushes & stencils
• – Outdoor acrylic paint
• – Spray polyurethane

Signs:

• – Wooden slabs of various sizes
• – Paint brushes, stencils, & sandpaper
• – Outdoor acrylic paint
• – Wood sealers and/or water repellent preservatives
• – Optional: Small rope or twine and a drill

How to do it:

Doormats:

1. Choose your mat, paint colors, & stencils
2. Stencil on your quotes and paint in the designs
3. Spray polyurethane over the painted areas
4. Optional: Paint the whole mat a solid base color and then layer on quotes and designs for a more finished look

Signs:

1. Choose different types of wood (opt for thin slabs to hang and larger blocks to be placed on tables and ledges)
2. Evenly sand down your wooden blocks on all sides and edges for a smooth finish
3. Apply a wood sealer to protect your slabs from moisture, chemicals, and pests, then let it dry completely
4. Paint on designs and quotes
5. Spray polyurethane over all of the painted areas
6. Optional: Drill small holes carefully to add rope for hanging signs

Find the best quotes for your mats or signs by borrowing ideas from these DIY wooden signs.

2. DIY Chair Cushions & Pillows

Making DIY outdoor sofa cushions and chair pillows is a cheap and easy way to add color to your backyard without going overboard. Create your own patio pillows to add just the right pop of color to your outdoor space.

Difficulty: 2+ hours: This may take a few tries, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be addicted!

What you need:

• – A few different sizes of pillows
• – Tape measure
• – Sewing thread, needle, & pins
• – Sunbrella or other outdoor fabrics

How to do it:

1. Shop for consigned decorative pillows to get sweet deals on quality pillows or upcycle old pillows you no longer use
2. Wash the pillows and remove the outer cover to avoid it showing through the new fabric
3. Choose a few different types of outdoor fabric and make sure to coordinate colors, textures and designs (to add variety to your decor without bombarding guests with too many different colors at once!)
4. The next steps depend on the fabric you choose:
   – Want to use trendy, yet casual fabrics? Follow these step by step instructions
   – Have a few beach towels laying around that you rarely use? Upcycle your towels into chair pillows and sofa cushions for your patio by following these easy steps!

3. DIY Mason Jar Decor (Flower vases that double as candle holders!)

Nothing is better than a two-in-one decor item that you can use over and over again! These mason jar vases can hold flowers during the day. Then, when the sun starts to set, slip a faux candle in and you’ll instantly have soft lighting that adds the ideal ambiance to any patio.

Difficulty: Less than 1hr: Make a few, and once you’re a pro, try selling them to boost your budget!

What you need:

• – Mason jars
• – Rubbing alcohol and disposable cotton pads
• – Acrylic or spray paint (in a couple of colors that match your patio theme!)
• – Fake candles & batteries if needed
• – Flowers from your garden or local farmers market
• – Optional: Jute wrap or twine, extra-strength glue, sandpaper

How to do it:

1. Find a few old mason jars from your local thrift or consignment shop
2. Remove dirt and oils by rubbing your jars clean with rubbing alcohol and disposable pads
3. Paint or spray on a few coats of your color of choice
4. Work from the inside out by pouring in acrylic paint, rolling the jar slowly to apply the paint evenly, and then setting it upside-down to drain and dry
5. Optional: For a more rustic look, use sandpaper to edge off parts of the paint — or — for more flair, wrap and glue twine around the jars in a pattern of your choosing!
6. Finally, pick up a few flowers from your local farmers market to place in your jars for the day or week! And, always have a few tea light candles ready to place inside when the sun starts to set

Ready to get started on a few weekend projects of your own?

Create unique backyard decor pieces that spark conversation and impress your guests this spring — all without dipping into your summer funds! Test your DIY skills, channel your creativity, and never worry about spending a fortune when you shop your local Turn Style! Find the perfect hidden gems for all your DIY projects and start crafting your new favorite pieces today.

Are all of these outdoor ideas making you reconsider your indoor interior design as well? Freshen up your entire home before summer sets in with these 5 DIY project ideas for any room!