People who stage homes for a living swear by these cheap tricks to make your backyard look more expensive

“For a cheap fix, throwing an outdoor rug down can make all the difference,” says Paul Knapp landscape designer and owner of LandscapeArchitectural.com. He loves this rug for “covering up unsightly decks, plane concrete patios, or paver patios that have faded and no longer look good.” It has a luxe-looking diamond pattern with a double-sided weaving process that makes it reversible. It’s UV-resistant so it won’t fade, and it’s also waterproof and washable to keep your backyard, porch, or patio looking amazing.

“Simply creating an intimate space that incorporates nature is a fantastic way to promote relaxation and peace,” says Knapp. This hanging rope swing has an organic, natural shape and texture that will fit beautifully into your garden or backyard, giving you a space to sit, swing, and enjoy. It has two large cushions, a tassel design that adds some style and whimsy, and a built-in side pocket that can hold your e-reader, book, phone, water bottle, and more.

“While professional low voltage lighting can add up in price a bit, you can essentially achieve a similar effect by using solar powered landscape lighting,” Knapp explains. He likes this set of 12 pathway lights as a way add ambiance to your outdoor space without breaking the bank. They’re solar-powered and sit on a stake that secures directly into the dirt or grass, giving you up to 10 hours of light overnight. With a classic design, the lights are both functional and cute on a budget.

Knapp also recommends finding spotlights on Amazon. These landscape lights are a great option to set the vibe to your space while giving you ample light after dark so you can use your outdoor patio or yard for way more hours. They come on strong stakes that go fully into the ground beside a step or ledge, allowing the solar panel to sit on the ledge while the bright light illuminates your space. They have three brightness modes and are weatherproof and waterproof for long-lasting use.

Knapp also recommends ground lights, and these look very expensive because of the way they sit flush against the grass or dirt as if they were custom installed in your yard. Solar-powered, they automatically turn on at night to light your walkway, driveway, or sidewalk. Plus they’re waterproof and weatherproof so you can set them and forget them, which is the best kind of outdoor lighting hack.

These wall lights were made to look so expensive, which is why Knapp recommends this sort of outdoor illumination. They have LED light beads on the back that illuminate behind the top and bottom of the light, giving your backyard a fancy-looking lighting effect that looks professional. It has four brightness modes to choose from and a single charge gives you up to 10 hours of lighting.

What makes these driveway lights a must-have in Knapp’s book isn’t just that they illuminate your driveway to make walking and driving easier at night, but they have an aluminum alloy case that can withstand up to 3 tons — a.k.a., you can drive over them by accident without breaking them. They have two color temperatures and are solar-powered for all-night illumination.

Knapp’s seeing a new trend when it comes to outdoor areas: “a move toward... mental well-being in the garden.” If you’re looking to sit, meditate, or do yoga in the backyard oasis you’ve created, this mat offers thick cushioning and a textured, nonslip surface to help support your down dog and child’s pose. The mat’s superior grip is also great for keeping a yoga towel from slipping and sliding around.

Lindsey Mahoney, founder of the DIY publication Building Bluebird and licensed NW Ohio real estate agent, loves patio umbrellas like this one because “fun striped umbrellas with fringe detailing and iron furniture create a relaxed 1960s vibe that makes you want to hang out in the backyard!”

Not only does it offer a fun and relaxing backyard vibe, but this umbrella has a bendable arm that tilts to give you a larger shade area while you’re eating or working outdoors. It has a UPF 50+ rating to protect you from the sun while you’re lounging, and it has a wood-grain finish that’s stylish and chic.

Iron side tables like these are another thing Mahoney loves to create a retro look in your yard that’s effortless and chic. They’re foldable and super easy to assemble, so you can set them up anywhere in your yard. Each table can hold up to 200 pounds and has nonslip pads on the bottom for added stability and security.

Mahoney raves about how important curb appeal is to instantly make your space look more expensive, and power washing your surfaces is part of that. This high pressure nozzle has leakproof O-ring seals that create a watertight connection to your current hose and has a twisting barrel that adjusts the release of water from fan to cone spray to get your sidewalks and siding looking brand new.

Fresh mulch is another thing Mahoney recommends to upgrade your space quickly and on a budget. This organic black mulch has insulating properties that help plants conserve moisture, create a favorable microclimate, shield from extreme temperatures, and prevent weed growth to help keep you backyard garden looking fresh and gorgeous.

“One of my favorite outdoor DIY projects is using old bricks to edge flower beds,” Mahoney says. “This small detail adds a special touch to the backyard and creates a custom look.” If you don’t have any old bricks lying around, these faux stones are a great option to create a custom-looking border that feels expensive and high-end. They’re flexible, bendable, and stay in place to border all kinds of flower bed shapes. Each set comes with six bricks in a few natural colors.

“Paint and stain are fantastic for sprucing up backyards as well,” Mahoney explains. “This includes staining an old swing set, painting a shed or even giving a concrete pool a fresh coat of paint!” This wood stain not only adds lightly tinted color to your wooden surfaces, but it also adds a completely waterproof seal that helps the color last longer and keeps your outdoor wood structures looking brand new for way longer. It has a semi-transparent, fade-resistant finish that allows the wood finish to show through.

Brooke Schneider, owner and designer of Auclair Interiors, cannot recommend plant food enough when it comes to making your home look more expensive. “Miracle-Gro is my go-to brand, and it’s vital to your plants’ health to find the right option for their needs, as not all plants require the same type of products to ensure optimum health,” she says. This all-purpose food is packed with nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium to support roots, development of flower and fruit, and encourage green leaves. It be used every one to two weeks on virtually all flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and houseplants, giving them an added boost to grow faster and stronger so your yard looks professionally landscaped.

“To easily refresh your outdoor space, add pots and planters in varying shapes and shades of the same hue clustered together to create a vignette,” Schneider says. This set of three comes in three sizes — 12, 10, and 9 inches — with matching saucers that can do exactly what Schneider says: create a vignette on a budget that’s sure to impress. They have drainage holes to make sure your plants are optimally hydrated, and they feature a modern, speckled texture that looks chic and contemporary while staying understated so your plants shine.

If you have some rock accents around your yard, Schneider recommends using “varying colors of ivory spray paint to hide discoloration. The result? The rocks will look new and freshen up the yard.” This spray paint doesn’t require sanding or priming. Simply power wash and dry your rocks and this indoor/outdoor spray locks onto the surface, creating an eye-catching backyard accent that makes your yard look polished and expensive on a budget.

Landscaping rocks can make a huge difference, according to Schneider, and these large natural river rocks each have a unique shape and coloring to add a natural-inspired accent to your flower beds, pathways, garden, or water accents around your backyard. They each measure about 3 to 4 inches and are a great way to turn your yard into a stunning oasis that looks like the outside of a relaxing and high-end spa.

When it comes to keep your yard looking expensive all-year round, it’s important to do regular maintenance, according to Schneider. “Simply walk around every couple of weeks to check on weeds, invasive vines or unusual growths forming on plants, flowers or trees.” This old-school weed puller tool makes it easy to maintain the health of your grass and flower beds without breaking your back — or the bank. It has a long, 45-inch bamboo handle, a foot pad to press it into the ground, and a four-claw steel head that grabs onto weeds from the roots to pull them out.

“Make sure to add a layer of small rocks to the bottom of your planters for adequate drainage,” Schneider says. “Too much love in the form of overwatering can lead to root rot.” These natural pea gravel pebbles are each about 3/8-inch and contain a bunch of colors for some nice eye-catching variety and texture. They’re great for the bottom of your planters like Schneider said, or you can put them on top of the soil to retain moisture and spice up planters.

“Right now, I’m into these outdoor portable lamps that add a soft glow in the evening, are easy to charge, and super low maintenance, giving your outdoor setting more intimate,” says principal and owner of interior design studio Westgrove Keri MacLellan. This lamp is cordless and rechargeable and can be used to light up your outdoor work session, dinner party, or happy hour for up to 18 hours on a single charge. It has three color temperatures — cool white, natural, and warm white — to match the time of day.

“I’m seeing a move toward low-maintenance, high-impact gardens,” explains MacLellan. This raised garden bed is just that — easy to maintain, easy on your back, and easy on your budget, and when styled in a geometric pattern, it’s so stylish. It’s coated with water-based paint that’s safe for fruits, veggies, flowers, and herbs, so you can create your own garden even if you don’t have the necessary ground space. It has two drainage holes to keep your plants optimally hydrated, and the modern design looks so expensive.

“English-style gardens are definitely trending too,” MacLellan explains, “Which means, looser planting and overflowing borders that feel unstructured.” This pollinator mix is a great way to achieve that overflowing, wildflower look with ease. It has over 18 varieties of flowers of all different colors — from bright yellow rudbeckia to stunning pink echinacea to gorgeous blue flax. With around 25,000 seeds, it can cover up to 1,000 square feet, easily turning your yard into a wildflower English garden.

MacLellan also loves using “gravel or stone to add structure,” like these round stepping stones made with beautiful polished stone that are even and comfortable to walk on. The stones are set onto a nearly invisible net in the back, which keeps them together and blends into the ground so you won’t even know it’s there. The stepping stones are a great way to establish natural-looking pathways around your home on a budget.

“Outdoor throw pillows in durable fabrics are another good option for styling patios on a budget,” says New York-based interior designer at Planner 5D Alice Moszczynski. These throw pillow inserts are a great place to start as they’re waterproof and great to decorate and freshen up your cozy backyard space. They come in a set of four and have a microfiber filling that’s ultra fluffy, comfortable, and breathable — perfect accents to create an outdoor oasis.

These pillow covers come in so many vibrant colors — from stunning neutrals to funky neons — to accent your space and enrich the outdoor aesthetic you’re going for, while making your space super cozy. Made of canvas polyester, they have a waterproof coating for added durability and a hidden zipper for a totally seamless look.

In the general push toward low maintenance spaces, Moszczynski is seeing a lot more string lights paired with gravel patios, which add ambiance and vibes without breaking the bank or requiring any upkeep. They’re waterproof, weather-resistant, and controlled with a remote to easily adjust the timer, brightness, and lighting modes. They’re solar-powered and automatically turn on at night to illuminate your space with a golden hue that’s upscale and romantic.

Moszczynski noted that layered planters are everywhere, which makes this a must-have for your yard. It allows you to grow your favorite flowers but it has an automatic drainage system, giving you a very low-maintenance option that makes your yard look gorgeous. It has five stacked tiers and a bottom saucer to catch any excess muddy water so your porch or patio stays clean.

“Swap out your tired cushions for bright and modern covers which can transform your outdoor space,” says Moszczynski. These comfortable cushions come in three dozen patterns so you’re sure to find one that matches and refreshes your outdoor aesthetic without breaking the bank. They’re water-repellent and made of a fabric that can resist fade under direct sunlight for over 500 hours. They have a fun U-shape and feature reinforced ties to keep them attached to your existing chairs.

Moszczynski loves hanging paper lanterns as a way to create a cozy, homey vibe without breaking the bank. These lanterns are made of gorgeous silk cloth that gives that paper look but is made for outdoor use to withstand weather and rain. They’re about 10 inches big and can easily be collapsed and stored — so they’re great for everyday use or just to break out for a party or event.

Moszczynski loves “taking advantage of vertical space” by using some hanging planters like these self-watering ones. Not only do they look amazing — they hang with a three-sided metal chain — they feature a self-watering bottom with a removable tan bottom layer that collects excess water and supplies it back into the soil when its feeling dry.

Moszczynski also loves wall trellises like this one for more vertical greenery. Measuring 5.25 feet, the structure is made of thickened iron metal wrapped in vinyl so the metal doesn’t get too hot. It’s great for all kinds of climbing plants like runner beans, morning glories, vines, and more. It also comes with 20 reusable ties to encourage vertical growth and create a gorgeous plant-covered wall.

Tall potted planters are another way to make your outdoor area feel lush and layered on a budget, according to Moszczynski. Made of concrete and fiberglass, this planter has a stunning modern design adorned with visible pores for a nature-inspired finish that’s sure to elevate your space. It also has built-in drainage holes with a rubber plug to expertly hydrate your plants.

Moszczynski’s biggest piece of advice: “don’t underestimate spray paint.” She loves a can in matte black or bronze to “make old planters, lanterns or even furniture frames look brand new.” This oil-based spray paint works on wood, metal, concrete, brick, and more to refresh your outdoor surfaces for a brand-new look on a budget. It dries in just two to four hours and has built-in rust protection to keep your outdoor projects looking good as new.

“Most people waste money trying to look expensive while missing how strategic atmosphere actually drives value,” explains Wesley Kang, founder of 1099Cafe. “I install hidden Bluetooth speakers in fake rocks to pipe in specific bird songs and water sounds that wealthy buyers associate with expensive resorts.” This powerful speaker is hidden in a realistic-looking fake rock, so whether you’re looking to play bird songs or your favorite playlist, you can get app-controlled surround sound without any eyesores. It’s solar-powered, waterproof, and even has a built-in light with seven color options to choose from.

“Strategic lighting changes everything in modern backyards,” says Kang. He loves installing spotlights like these around the house to create lighting moods that mimic sunsets like those in high-end resorts. These lights are waterproof, weather-resistant, and they have nine color options and two color modes — solid and cycling. They can be mounted on a wall or inserted into the ground with stakes.

Kang also loves ultrasonic bug repellers as a way to “promise invisible comfort” so you can actually use your yard without the fear of being eaten alive at night. The light attracts flies, mosquitos, moths, wasps, and more, and the high-voltage electricity zaps them on contact so they fall to the bottom of the grid. It’s lightweight and set-up is a total breeze.

“Simply bringing more intention to your outdoor space is going to go a long way,” remarks Kathy Kuo, CEO and founder at Kathy Kuo Home. She says you should bring artful decor into your space like these stunning wind chimes made of naturally iridescent capiz shells. They hang from a wooden base and can even reflect light from certain angles, making them absolutely an absolutely gorgeous, lovely sounding, and and intentional addition to your space.

Kuo also recommends adding a versatile outdoor bar cart to your space. This one on wheels like allows you to move it around the yard and keep it out of the sun as the day goes on, which instantly refreshes your space with a cute and functional touch. It has two tiers that were really intentionally designed — the bottom has three compartments to hold wine bottles and keep them from tumbling, and the top has wine glass racks underneath to store glasses safely and conveniently.

Kuo also loves adding lanterns to your yard as a way to refresh it and “make your space more accessible for entertaining and gathering.” These lanterns are solar-powered and can light up your entire dinner party on a single daytime charge. They have a vivid dancing flame effect that looks super realistic to add some high-end charm to your space.