Want to spruce up your NJ back yard? Here are 11 DIY-friendly ways to improve your space

Not everyone has the time and money to achieve a grand and luxurious backyard space. But that doesn't mean that there aren't a variety of simple and cost-effective steps you can take to transform your space into something you love, regardless of how much you have to work with.

Whether you're looking for simple upgrades like replacing your patio furniture and adding some lights, or more elaborate enhancements like creating your own patio, we have some suggestions for you.

Here are 11 DIY-friendly ways you can spruce up your North Jersey back yard, just in time for the summer:

Add, restore or upgrade your outdoor furniture

Whether you're just looking to sit back and relax, or want a designate spot to eat dinner with the family outside, you're going to need some furniture to do that.

If you don't have any outdoor furniture, or you need to replace what you already have, you can shop around for individual pieces of full sets at a variety of stores. You can visit places like Backyard Living in Ridgewood or Fortunoff Backyard in Paramus, as well as spots like Home Depot, Walmart and World Market. People also often resell gently used pieces on Facebook Marketplace, so that's another place worth browsing.

For those that already have outdoor furniture, you can refresh your items by giving them a good cleaning with a mild cleaning solution and a soft brush or cloth. And if you have any wood furniture, you can restore them with some teak oil.

Beyond this, you can add some extra decoration to your furniture by adding some outdoor throw pillows or putting down an outdoor rug under your seating areas.

Give your fence a fresh coat of paint or add some decor

Backyard fencing.

If you have a fenced-in back yard, the appearance of that fence can make a big impact on the overall vibe of your outdoor space. So if your back yard is in need of some TLC, or you just want to make it feel a bit more fun, your fence is a perfect place to start.

If you have a wood fence, try repainting or restaining it to give it a fresh and elevated look. Just make sure that you properly prepare the wood — give it a thorough cleaning and prime the surface is you're painting — and apply a sealant to ensure that the paint or stain lasts. For those that don't have a wood fence, you can still spruce it up by giving it a good cleaning and adding some decorative items like hanging plants, a trellis, string lights or outdoor-friendly art pieces.

Before doing anything to your fence, though, always verify whether it technically falls on your property or your neighbor's property. You should also verify whether your town has any ordinances that restrict certain paint colors or shades.

Spruce up your flower beds

While your flower beds and gardens likely already add some much needed color and life to your back yard, there are several ways to elevate them even further.

This includes simple maintenance things like removing any unsightly weeds, trimming any unruly shrubs and adding a fresh layer of mulch. You can also edge your flower beds with pavers to create a neat border, add river rocks or stones for texture, put in a garden arch for some height and include things like flower pots and bird baths for dimension.

Illuminate your back yard with lights

Outdoor String Lights

You should be able to enjoy your back yard just as much at night as you do during the day, so adding some extra lighting is a great way to do that. Plus, doing this can help create a nice ambiance throughout your space.

There are an abundance of options to choose from for this, depending on the layout of your back yard and the style you're going for. You can use solar-powered garden lights to illuminate your walking paths and flower beds, string lights to add a whimsical vibe to your seating areas or candle lanterns to decorate any surfaces.

Regardless of what type of lighting you go with, just be sure that whatever you choose is safe for outdoor use. And if they are safe for outdoor use, verify whether they can be used anywhere outdoors or only within covered areas.

Create a pea gravel patio

If you're looking to create a designated patio space, but don't want to commit to a major and more expensive project with things like wood, pavers or concrete, then consider creating a pea gravel patio.

To do this, pick a flat area in your yard and mark off the perimeter of where you'd like this patio to be. After making sure there are no utility lines or hazards in this area, you can shovel out a thin layer to remove any vegetation, rocks and debris, then rake and tamp the area to make it level and compact.

Depending on where you're putting the patio, you can use landscape timbers to frame out the area and install landscape fabric to minimize the growth of weeds. After this, you can slowly add the gravel to your patio space. The amount of pea gravel you'll need will depend on how big you made the patio space, so be sure to consult your local supplier to determine how much you should order.

Add an outdoor bar area

Plow & Hearth Claremont Eucalyptus Rolling Outdoor Bar Cart

While you likely don't have the time, money or expertise to build your dream backyard bar, you can still find a cost-effective way to implement something similar in your space.

If you're looking for something simple, or don't have a lot of space to work with, you can go with a small rolling bar cart. This option is also easy to transport back and forth from inside to outside, if that's something you're looking for.

You can also opt for a waterproof outdoor storage cabinet, which will allow you to store your glasses and booze outdoors regardless of the weather, or have a more personalized piece by repurposing a potting bench.

Here are some other ways to spruce up your back yard:

• Paint your backdoor
• Set up a hammock
• Get a fire pit
• Decorate with unique bird houses
• Build raised garden beds

Maddie McGay is the real estate reporter for NorthJersey.com and The Record, covering all things worth celebrating about living in North Jersey. Find her on Instagram @maddiemcgay, on X @maddiemcgayy, and sign up for her North Jersey Living newsletter. Do you have a tip, trend or terrific house she should know about? Email her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Want to spruce up your NJ back yard? Here are 11 DIY-friendly ways to improve your space