If you feel like your backyard could look better and be a bit more functional and useful, you’re not the only one. Now would be a good a time as any to start working on some projects out here so we went ahead and gathered a bunch of ideas that will hopefully spark your imagination and give you some inspiration. Let’s get started.

You can do plenty of small little things to make your backyard more inviting but there are also lots of larger-scale ones to consider as well. For example, it might be cool to build a modern pergola in case you don’t already have one. It’s not the easiest thing in the world to do but it’s definitely achievable and if you have some help that would be even better.

A hammock is another really cool thing to have in the backyard. It would sure be super easy to just buy a hammock but if you want something a bit more special and personalized, then go ahead and make a macrame hammock like the one featured on hunker.

If you’re the type that enjoys having friends over and entertaining others, it could be nice to have a big picnic table out in the backyard with some benches around it so everyone can sit around and have a good time. You can build the table from scratch out of wood but you can also give an old table a makeover and just make it look nice and pretty once again. Check out akailochiclife for more details.

How about a coffee table for your patio? You could add some comfortable chairs, a bench or a swing and turn this into a really lovely area where you can relax and spend time with others. You could quite easily build a pallet coffee table and install casters or wheels on it so you can easily move it around.

Add a bit of mood lighting to your backyard with these lovely cube lanterns. You can make them out of dowel rods and you can paint them so they match your decor. Put pillar candles at the center of each one. You could add a few more details if you want to customize the lanterns even more.

This looks like a regular outdoor dining table and can be used as such but there’s actually more to it than that. You can take out the panels at the center of the table and reveal a hidden cooler box. You can fill this with ice and keeps your drinks nice and cool outside. If you want to find out how to build this table, check out remodelaholic.

The floor in your backyard could use some attention as well. One idea is to lay a flagstone pathway and you can make it look really natural and organic if that’s a style that you think suits your backyard. Of course, you can also choose a different style in case of something a bit more modern and simple would suit your backyard better.

There are some other useful and practical projects that you could do for your backyard. One of them is a garden hose hanger that you can build with a wooden post and a few extra supplies. Find a good spot for this, somewhere accessible but out of the way and either stain or paint the wood so it matches your style and surroundings.

A grape arbor is another somewhat complex project that you can do out in the backyard or in your garden. It can be customized in a variety of different ways depending on the space available and also the style that you prefer. Since it will become a permanent feature in your backyard once installed, make sure you find the perfect spot for it.

Adding a window box planter (or several) can change the look of a house quite a bit. It can add curb appeal and make your house all pretty. It’s also a pretty simple project. All you need is some wooden boards and a few screws along with some basic tools.

Similarly, you could make a large planter box out of pallet boards and have it displayed on your porch or patio. Using pallet wood will make it a very cheap project and you can similarly use any leftover supplies that you might have from previous projects.

Part of having a beautiful backyard is keeping the deck in good shape so every once in a while you should take some time and do some maintenance work, trim the deck and add some finishing touches. That’s, of course, assuming you already have in the deck. Otherwise, you’d have to build one first which wouldn’t necessarily be super difficult either.

Something else that would really make your backyard stand out is a water feature. Making a pond with a tiny waterfall would actually be fairly easy. It doesn’t need to be big so you can find room for it in a corner or anywhere there’s space and you can customize it in lots of different and beautiful ways. Check out ohmy-creative for more details if you’re interested in the project.

This right here is a really creative way of storing and at the same time hiding your garden hose. As you can see, this is a large planter box with a secret storage compartment inside, big enough to hold the garden hose and to keep it out of sight but at the same time accessible and within reach. If you want to build something similar for your own backyard, check out diycandy for additional details.

A fire pit is another amazing feature for a backyard. It would be easy to just place a few chairs or logs around the pit and call it a day but if you want to make this space a bit more special and to give it more character then you can also build a small patio around it, to frame it and to make it stand out a bit more. There’s quite a bit of work involved in that so be sure to check out recapturedcharm to find out all the important info about this project.

This is one of the most creative and clever uses for a wine barrel we’ve seen in a while. The barrel, as you can see, was turned into a planter and at the same time it serves as a stand for an outdoor umbrella. This would look lovely out in the backyard, allowing you to create a small shaded area that actually looks like it belongs there. This idea comes from spruceyournest.

If you want to encourage the kids to spend more time outside, it could be fun to build them a playhouse in the backyard. You could just buy one if you want to really simplify things but that can be quite expensive and not nearly as fun and as interesting as doing this yourself from scratch. Check out madewithhappy for some extra tips and details.

Installing a pea gravel patio is yet another large-scale backyard project that you could tackle and also one that would have a big impact on the entire area surrounding it and would totally transform the backyard. You’ll need a pretty big area to start with so make sure you get everything out of the way and you take some measurements before you start digging and terraforming. Additional details and info can be found in cityfarmhouse.

In case you were wondering, building a fire pit is not that difficult. There are plenty of easy ways to do it. This round pit made out of stone is a perfect example. While you’re at it, maybe you’d also like to add some custom benches around the pit and create a nice and cozy seating area. You can check out this tutorial from abeautifulmess to find out the rest of the details.

If you have space in your backyard, it might be fun to add a small pool. You can surround it with some fences or create a sort of nook around it and add some extra features like an outdoor shower for example. Also, consider covering it up and either installing some sort of roof or using an outdoor umbrella. The idea comes from astrollthrulife.

A large backyard tree is a real treasure. One of the ways in which you can take advantage of it is by making a tree swing. A wooden board and some rope is all you’re going to need for this little backyard project. Make sure everything is nice and secure and pick a sturdy branch to hang the swing from. In case you need more details, you can head over to themerrythought.

If you have kids it would definitely be nice to build something in your backyard for them as well. For example, if you have a dining table outside, you could also add a small miniature version of it for the kids to be able to use. There’s a really nice tutorial for a modern kids’ picnic table on lovelyindeed that you can check out if you’re interested in this idea.

Another interesting project idea for the backyard can be to build a raised planter box. You can fill it with succulents, flowering plants, herbs or anything else you prefer and you can keep it outside during the warm months, moving it indoors once it gets cold or just moving all the plants into individual indoor pots. What’s nice about this particular planter bed is that it allows you to stand up as opposed to bend down and sit on your knees, making it a lot more comfortable to do gardening in the backyard.

As we mentioned before, window box planters make nice decorations, adding character and color to the house and increasing its curb appeal. Sure, they usually suit rustic and traditional homes the best but you can also make this work in a more modern setting as well. It’s all in the details.

Speaking of planters and greenery and other such things, there’s also another really cool project idea that we want to share with you today and it comes from beyondthepicket-fence. This is a project which shows you how to repurpose drawers and to turn them into planters.