I upgraded my backyard on a $1k budget – I added a privacy fence, furniture, & decor and didn’t even have to pay for it
BUDGET buys that totaled less than $1,000 transformed one woman’s deteriorating backyard into an outdoor oasis.
She used her DIY skills to add stylish features that made the space look cozy and welcoming.
Stef (@couchstef) boasts over 115,000 followers on TikTok, where she shares her passion for interior design.
She went viral on the app after revealing how she overhauled her tired-looking backyard in Philadelphia, using budget-friendly items.
Footage taken before she got to work shows a rickety metal fence keeping strangers from randomly walking into her garden.
Dated furniture that had been positioned on uneven tiles and neglected plants.
She begged her landlord to allow her to transform the space.
He obliged and bought the majority of materials discounted from Lowes.
He also shopped in Delaware to avoid sales tax.
Stef bought paint supplies for the lattice fence for $35 and a privacy fence for $400, which she spent $170 painting.
She used a $27 paint on the cement to match her desired aesthetic for the space.
She spent $127 on landscaping, complete with white stones and weed mats.
Once the decor was complete, the DIY-savvy renter styled the space with solar-powered lanterns bought for $45 and hanging brackets for $16 from Amazon.
She spent $50 on a 100ft LED string light, $16 on a wicker mirror, $14 on fake plants and terracotta pots, and $20 on bench cushions.
Stef said she already had everything else used for the backyard upgrade, which totaled $930.
Over 274,000 people liked the video and many took to the comment section amazed by the finished product.
Easy gardening tips to save money, maximize space, and repel pests
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- Banana peels, vinegar, and coffee grounds are often recommended as natural fertilizers.
- Dollar Tree sells four packs of seeds for $1.25.
- Try a vertical planter like Amazon’s Mr. Stacky 5 Tier Stackable Planter, $35 to make more use of a small space.
- Use netting like the Garden Netting Pest Barrier, $8, from Amazon to keep away bugs that eat your vegetables.
- Try sacrificial planting to reduce the use of pesticides and keep pests away from your garden. Deliberately growing certain plants to attract agricultural pests can keep them away from the plants you want to protect. Examples include marigolds, lavender, catnip, and chives.
- For pesky weeds in your garden, the Grampa’s Weeder – The Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool with Long Handles, $45, from Amazon is a helpful tool you can use without having to bend over.
“I would pay you 2K to give me a 1K yard upgrade if I had a yard haha,” one person said.
“This is cute!!! This reminds me of when I used to live in Philly. I love what people can do with limited space,” another said.
“OMG looks cozy, need to my yard like that don’t have it decorated to chill,” a third commented.
“Love it! I can tell you put effort into it,” another added.
The trending video comes after another TikToker amazed viewers by upgrading a non-functioning water fountain in her backyard.
Abby (@a_lil_bee) said she spent less than $40 transforming it into a “magical” fairy garden.
At Dollar Tree, she bought miniature houses, fairies, decorations, and a soil alternative that expands when mixed with water.
Despite already being “very happy” with the finished results, she planned to add lights in the future.