Credible
Get Rates
  • Refinance Student Loans
    • Compare Options
      • Best Refinancing Companies
      • Lender Reviews
      • Refinance Student Loans
      • Student Loan Consolidation
    • Learn the Basics
      • Fixed vs. Variable Rates
      • Forgiveness Programs
      • Consolidation vs Refinancing
      • Repayment Plans
      • More on Student Refi
    • How to
      • Consolidate Your Student Loans
      • Pay Off Your Student Loans
      • Lower Your Interest Rate
    • Tools
      • Current Student Loan Refi Rates
      • Refinancing Calculator
      • Repayment Calculator
      • Student Loan Score Calculator
  • Student Loans
    • Compare Options
      • Private Student Loans
      • Parent Student Loans
      • Law School Loans
      • Medical School Loans
      • Graduate Student Loans
    • Learn the Basics
      • Student Loan Limits
      • Living Expenses
      • Applying for FAFSA
      • Federal Student Loans
      • Student Loan Interest Rates
      • More on Student Loans
    • How To
      • Pay for College
      • Take Out Student Loans
      • Apply Without Cosigner
      • Apply for Student Loans
      • Pay for Grad School
    • Tools
      • Best Private Student Loans
      • Current Student Loan Rates
      • Student Loan Interest Calculator: Estimate Payments
      • Lender Reviews
  • Personal Loans
    • Compare Options
      • Best Personal Loan Lenders
      • Lender Reviews
      • Get Personal Loan Rates
    • Learn the Basics
      • How to Qualify
      • How to Get a Loan
      • Where to Get a Loan
      • Personal Loans with Cosigner
      • Pay Off Credit Card Debt
      • More on Personal Loans
    • Best for
      • Credit Card Consolidation
      • Debt Consolidation Loans
      • Home Improvement Loans
      • Good Credit
      • Fair Credit
      • Bad Credit
    • Tools
      • Current Personal Loan Rates
      • Personal Loan Calculator
  • Mortgages
    • Compare Options
      • Mortgage Refinance
      • Home Loan
      • Best Mortgage Refinance Companies
      • Best Mortgage Lenders
      • Mortgage Preapproval
      • Mortgage Payment Calculator
    • Compare Rates
      • Mortgage Refinance Rates
      • 30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates
      • 15-Year Fixed Refinance Rates
      • Home Loan Rates
      • 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
      • 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
    • Learn the Basics
      • How to Buy a House
      • How to Refinance Your Mortgage
      • How to Get the Best Rate
      • Cash-Out Refinancing
      • More on Home Loans and Refi
    • Pay Off Mortgage
      • Home Equity to Pay Off Debt
      • Paying Off Mortgage Early
      • Mortgage Refinance Cost
  • Insurance
    • Insurance Products
      • Insurance Products
      • Learn more about home insurance
    • Compare Options
      • Compare Insurance Quotes
      • Home Insurance Guide
    • Learn the Basics
      • What Home Insurance Covers
      • How Much Home Insurance You Need
      • Estimate Your Home Replacement Cost
      • How to Change Home Insurance
  • Company
    • About
    • Reviews
    • Blog
    • Lenders
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • FAQs
    • Press
  • Find My Rate
Advertiser Disclosure

10 Ways to Craft an Elegant Outdoor Space

Adding a fire pit or ambient lighting are just some ways to make your outdoor space more enjoyable ahead of summer.

Kim Porter Kim Porter Edited by Chris Jennings Updated August 5, 2021

Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as "Credible."

During the pandemic, interest in home projects climbed as home became the center of work and play. In a recent HomeAdvisor survey, 41% of consumers took on home improvement projects to better suit new lifestyle needs. And elegant outdoor spaces where people can relax and gather in a controlled environment have seen a big surge in demand.

If you’re looking to make an oasis out of your backyard, there are many great ideas to choose from, depending on your space and budget.

Here are 10 ways to upgrade your outdoor space — and how much you can expect to spend, on average:

  1. Put on a fresh coat of paint
  2. Install a fire pit
  3. Add an outdoor dining set
  4. Add ambient lighting
  5. Build a fence
  6. Add a hot tub
  7. Refresh your pavement
  8. Upgrade the landscaping
  9. Install a deck
  10. Install a pool

Put on a fresh coat of paint

1. Put on a fresh coat of paint

How much it costs: $600 to $2,958

Whether it’s for your home’s exterior or the deck, a fresh coat of paint can brighten up the space, make any surface look brand-new, and help create a cohesive color scheme. Using the right colors can even increase the resale value of your home, according to a HomeLight report.

The cost of this popular home renovation mostly depends on the amount of paint you need, the brand of paint you use, and whether you do it yourself.

Install a fire pit

2. Install a fire pit

How much it costs: $700

A fire pit is a great way to add a conversation area to your outdoor space and keep you warm during the colder months. These can be built for around $700, or you can purchase a modest one for about $150 to $300.

To maximize the space, buy a fire pit that fits within the yard layout and place outdoor furniture around the pit. But remember to follow the laws in your area, as some local governments don’t allow residents to install certain types of fire pits.

Add an outdoor dining set

3. Add an outdoor dining set

How much it costs: Around $800 or less

You’ll be far more comfortable in your outdoor oasis if you have somewhere to relax, hold conversations, and enjoy a meal. Adding a dining set or a swing can help you create a welcoming environment.

Outdoor furniture will take quite a beating from the elements, so be sure to buy furniture made for the outdoors using weatherproof material such as teak, wicker, aluminum, or metal.

Check out: 15 Simple Summer Decor Ideas

Add ambient lighting

4. Add ambient lighting

How much it costs: $2,000 to $4,500

Outdoor lighting allows you to maximize the time spent outdoors, increase security, and add style to the exterior.

For about $100, some of the less-expensive options include string lights along the fence or hanging from the porch, tiki torches on the deck, and candles on the table.

Higher-end lighting includes strategically placed lanterns, incandescent path and deck lights, and motion and solar-power lights.

Build a fence

5. Build a fence

How much it costs: $2,841

Adding a fence to your yard can help create privacy for a truly relaxing space. There are several options to choose from, such as vertical or horizontal wood fences, large planters, green hedges, and outdoor screens. If you only have a porch, consider adding curtains around the main opening or adding large plants around the perimeter.

Learn More: Should You Refinance to Pay for Home Improvements?

Add a hot tub

6. Add a hot tub

How much it costs: $3,400

Hot tubs are a great way to relax and can even provide some health benefits. They’re also a good compromise if you want to occasionally dip your toes in the water but don’t have the money to install an inground pool.

Refresh your pavement

7. Refresh your pavement

How much it costs: $4,740

If the pavement surrounding your home is crumbling or has numerous cracks and potholes, repaving it can help improve the safety and aesthetics of your yard. It costs $4,470 on average to pave a 600-square-foot area — the size of an average U.S. driveway — or $1,000 to $3,500 to repair the area.

Modest decorative upgrades include engraving, stamping patterns, stenciling, adding a border, or staining the concrete.

Upgrade the landscaping

8. Upgrade the landscaping

How much it costs: $4,750

Landscaping upgrades lend a luscious feel to your backyard. And according to a National Association of Realtors survey, a standard lawn care program is one of the most effective ways to bring joy to current homeowners and appeal to future buyers.

Some modest improvements may include mowing the lawn and planting grass thickener, installing a walkway, adding stone planters, adding mulch around the shrubs, and planting flowers and trees.

Install a deck

9. Install a deck

How much it costs: $7,641

If your backyard is made of mostly grass, it can be tough to place lawn furniture or a grill on the surface and keep everything sturdy. A deck or patio space creates a hardscape area with a designated cooking-and-entertaining space. Remodeling’s 2021 Cost vs. Value Report states that adding a wooden deck yields a return on investment of 65.8%.

Install a pool

10. Install a pool

How much it costs: $51,907

If you imagine yourself lounging on a pool floatie throughout the summer, hosting backyard get-togethers, and adding freestyle swimming to your exercise routine, a pool can help you meet these goals. But it’s important to understand the costs involved, as pools are one of the most expensive home projects out there.

While pools earned the highest “Joy Score” of 10 in the NAR survey, real estate agents say homeowners typically recoup just half of what they spend on this project.

More: 18 Home Improvement Projects You Can Wrap Up in a Day

How to pay for backyard upgrades

You have many options when it comes to paying for backyard upgrades, including tapping your home equity or taking out an unsecured loan.

Loan typeBest if:
Cash-out refinanceYou want to take advantage of low interest rates. Credible can help you find the best refinance rates.
Personal loan

You need cash fast. Get started with Credible.
Home equity loan

You need a lump sum but don’t want to refinance. Learn more about home equity loans.
HELOCYou want to pay for a series of projects over time. Learn more about HELOCs.
Credit cardYou could benefit from a 0% introductory APR. Use Credible to find a card that works for you.

Cash-out refinance

Best if: You have various costs to cover and you’ve built up a good amount of home equity

A cash-out refinance allows you to use the equity in your home to take out a larger mortgage. You borrow more than you currently owe, pay off your loan, and keep the extra cash, minus any closing costs. That extra money can then be used to pay for home upgrades or any other expense.

Cash-out refinances may come with lower interest rates compared to personal loans and credit cards, but that’s because your home secures the loan.

Be sure to shop around and compare rates with multiple lenders if you decide to go with a cash-out refinance. You can do this easily with Credible — and you’ll be able to see your prequalified refinance rates in only three minutes.

Get the cash you need and the rate you deserve

  • Compare lenders
  • Get cash out to pay off high-interest debt
  • Prequalify in just 3 minutes

Find My Loan
No annoying calls or emails from lenders!

Trustpilot

Personal loan

Best if: You need the money quickly or you don’t want to use your home as collateral

Personal loans — such as home improvement loans — are usually unsecured, which means you won’t need to use collateral to secure the loan. You’ll receive the loan as one lump-sum payment upfront and repay it in fixed monthly installments over a specified number of years.

Home equity loan

Best if: You don’t want to refinance your home and you know you can make your payments

A home equity loan provides you with a lump sum of money, much like a personal loan. But since a home equity loan is a second mortgage, your home serves as collateral.

HELOC

Best if: You aren’t sure how much you need or are paying for the project in installments

A home equity line of credit also uses your home as collateral. You can tap your line of credit anytime during the “draw period,” pay down the balance, and replenish the credit limit, much like a credit card. Once the draw period ends, you’ll need to pay off the balance with interest.

Credit card

Best if: You qualify for a promotional APR and can pay off your balance before the intro period ends

Credit cards are another type of line of credit, but these are usually unsecured and come with higher interest rates. You might qualify for a credit card with a promotional 0% APR.

With this benefit, you won’t pay interest on your balance as long as you pay it off before the intro period ends. This could be cheaper, faster, and easier than taking out a second mortgage.

About the author
Kim Porter
Kim Porter

Kim Porter is an expert in credit, mortgages, student loans, and debt management. She has been featured in U.S. News & World Report, Reviewed.com, Bankrate, Credit Karma, and more.

Read More

Home » All » Mortgages » 10 Ways to Craft an Elegant Outdoor Space

Home Improvement


  • Refinancing for Home Improvements
  • Projects to Increase Home Value
  • Tax-Deductible Renovations

Home Improvement Project Ideas

  • Popular Pandemic Home Renovations
  • Outdoor Space Upgrades

Paying for Home Improvements

  • Cash-Out Refinance
  • Home Equity Loan
  • Home Equity Line of Credit
  • Personal Loan
  • Renovation Mortgage

Tools and Resources

  • Refinance Your Mortgage
  • Best Refinance Companies
  • Pay Off Your Mortgage Early
  • Today’s Mortgage Refi Rates
  • How to Find the Best Lender
  • Lender Reviews

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Related Articles

Mortgage Refinance

8 Exterior House Trends to Save Up For This Year

Mortgage Refinance

15 Home Improvement Projects to Complete Before You List Your Home

Mortgages

15 Simple Summer Decor Ideas

  • Read More
    • Refi Student Loans
    • In School Loans
    • Personal Loans
    • Mortgages
    • Insurance
  • Resources
    • Lender Reviews
    • Loan Calculators
    • Student Loan Score Calculator
    • Data Insights
    • Debt Statistics
    • Sitemap
  • Compare
    • Student Loan Refinance
      • Current Student Loan Refi Rates
    • Student Loan Consolidation
    • Private Student Loans
      • Current Student Loan Rates
    • Personal Loans
      • Current Personal Loan Rates
    • Refinance Mortgage
      • Mortgage Refinance Rates
        • 15-Year Fixed Refinance Rates
        • 30-Year Fixed Refinance Rates
    • Home Loans
      • Home Loan Rates
        • 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
        • 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Rates
    • Insurance
  • Top Lenders
    • Best Student Loan Refi Companies
    • Best Private Student Loans
    • Best Personal Loans
    • Best Mortgage Lenders
    • Best Mortgage Refinance Companies
  • Company
    • About
    • Reviews
    • Blog
    • Editorial Staff
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • News
    • Press
  • Legal
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy

© 2023 Credible


Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS ID# 1681276 | NMLS Consumer Access | Licenses and Disclosures
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Disclosure

Affiliated Business Arrangement Disclosure

Credible Operations, Inc., (“Credible”) has a business relationship with Young Alfred, Inc., (“Young Alfred”), an insurance broker. Please click here for the full Affiliated Business Arrangement disclosure form. You are not required to use Young Alfred as a condition for settlement of your loan.

Similarly, Young Alfred has a business relationship with Credible, a mortgage broker. Please click here for the full Affiliated Business Arrangement disclosure form. You are not required to use Credible as a condition to obtain access to any settlement services, such as homeowners or other insurance products.

Acknowledgement

By clicking “Accept” below, I/we acknowledge that I/we have read the applicable full disclosure form, and understand that any referrals by Credible for insurance settlement services or any referrals by Young Alfred for mortgage settlement services, may result in Credible, Young Alfred, its parent company, and/or its affiliates receiving a financial or other benefit.