I’ve been living a frugal life for awhile now. It all started because we really didn’t have a choice. I’ve always loved a good deal, even since I was a kid.
But when you start a debt free life, and have big goals, your frugal living drive becomes intense.
The beauty is you don’t have to cheap out forever if you don’t want to. But once you constantly think about how you can save money, it’s hard to rewire that wave of thinking.
Today I have some cheap patio decorating ideas for you.
RV RUGS
The rug. Low and behold I’ve been wanting a patio rug for the back deck for the past 4 years.
I was NOT spending $100. $50 I would consider it but most likely pass it by.
When a friend of mine told me you need to look for RV rugs, it was a game changer folks. All you need is this link here on Amazon and you will be able to find an outdoor patio rug for under $25. A big one too.
Note- due to Covid-19 this rug has gone WAY up in price.
This can be flipped and used on either side.
Diy Umbrella holders
Do not buy an umbrella holder friends. In the past we cut a five gallon bucket down and filled it with cement. My husband put a plastic PVC pipe in the middle and boom we had a very cheap umbrella holder.
This is the only picture I could find! When we moved to our farmhouse it came with an awning on the back deck so we haven’t need one.
This time after moving the umbrella holder ended up not coming. I used my pot planter. I shoved the umbrella in the center and it’s been working great.
No need to spend money on that.
Cheap Umbrella
Look at your local Grocery store. This umbrella we have had for over 5 years and I paid $29.99 at our local Tops Grocery Store and I got gas points for the purchase.
Let’s do that math $29.99 over the past five years, that’s only $5.99 per year! What a steal.
Fence Panel Table
Nine I can’t believe it’s been that long but NINE years ago we bought our first patio table at Kmart. My wonderful big umbrella I just purchased was in it.
I forgot to close the umbrella on a windy day. Yep, the umbrella came up and smashed the table .I think we had it an entire week before that happened.
We didn’t want to go out and buy a new table. Instead another crazy freak accident happened prior to this and tore down one of our little fence panels.
We were NOT buying one new fence panel- there were only about six total on the one side of our old city house.
Instead we used those fence panels for the top of our table. Friends, its been nine years and it’s weathered and old and exactly the trendy look!
We put sealer on it the first two years and haven’t touched it since. It’s rough and could use a fresh coat, but honestly it’s been working out for us just fine. The chairs are still in great shape that came with the Kmart set.
When you have short summers, it will do.
CLEARANCE PLANTERS
Hit up Tractor Supply middle/end of July for clearance planters. Most of us love a little plant here and there on the backyard patio. If you buy a planter you can refill it each year. A lot cheaper than get the pre-made pretty ones.
I got my favorite metal planters this year on clearance for only $6! It’s a steal my friend. It was the first time at Tractor Supply the planter had the yellow sticker and when I brought it up to the register she told me it had an extra discount!
I grabbed the outdoor pillows smaller ones for $5 each at Walmart. Otherwise BJs and Costco mark those down in June.
I do recommend these Lifetime Adirondack chairs. They were a big purchase for me and one we treated ourselves to. We got these at BJ’s for $119 a year ago. You can check Amazon, and Sam’s club.
Fill your planters with clearance hanging baskets too. I share about this tip on another post here.
I hope this helps inspire you to decorate your porch or patio a little more resourceful this year.
More Tips to Check Out