Simple Patio on a Minimal Budget

you could put chairs and a table on top of the mulch hang a string of lights out there - or remove the mulch and clear the ground and add pea pebbles

12" (or larger), concrete stepping stones from any home improvement center.

Hi Jeanne,

Click below for an article about budget patios. It looks like packed gravel or crushed stone would be the easiest and least expensive to use. Read the article and see what you think. It would be a good idea to continue researching your choice for more detailed information. Let us know if you need more help. Wishing you the best.

Easiest thing I can think of is adding rubber mulch, which tends to stay in place. It’s expensive, but pretty much permanent. Several colors available, including black.

The wood bark mulch underneath will help keep it weed free and the rubber will also help keep that in place and nicely cushioned. More comfortable to walk on too.

I laid these found bricks in a space approx. 10' X 20' on bare ground, not as old when I did it as 60 but over 50. These in chevron pattern. My husband did a proper job of laying bricks in dug out ground, then sand. Both have held up over the years.

Pavers or flagstones might not be too hard.

Enjoy

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What makes one seating area more inviting than another? ... As the designer, you decide where to placethese areas and how to furnish them; think of the ... Small gardens, especially, need a streamlined palette of textures and materials.

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Explore possumvalleyvintage's board "Garden Sitting Areas" on Pinterest. | See more ideas ... Create a long-term fence by adding a stone wall to your yard. .... In my back yard, patio, pergola, fireplace outdoorsanctuary; great place to get a massage. .... Small Garden Party,when you invite a your frends to party tea nice idea.

Jeanne,

I will be doing a project similar to what you’re asking about. I’m going to level what is now a dirt filled area and compact with sand. Then I’m going to overlay it with artificial turf. This comes various grades and grass Heights, to fit most all budgets. I bought mine at Home Depot in the off-season on Clearance. Whatever Brand a person is interested in always has a DIY Website for installation to see if it’s som you can handle. I’m in the same age bracket so I can relate.

You could put a few pallets together add a board that's as wide as the pallets, HD or Lowe's will cut to size for you. Get the green indoor/ outdoor rug that dries quickly if you're in an area that it rains a lot. Put a patio table and chairs if you get a table with a hole for a umbrella you be your own piece of heaven. Put a few plants on your space and your done.

Make small concrete steps and get a small one to two person table with chairs(a project redo would be fun) and put it somewhere around in that area. Some city's/states have habitat for humanity restore store lots and lots of goodies.

I think a combination of some strategically placed patio .. the smaller 6x12 that are easy to handle..where the bases is your chairs and table would be positioned and rubber mulch for the rest. It is VERY easy to pour and spread and available in several colors. It is used on playgrounds and we have it in several of our flower beds as it doesnt deteoriate.

Best of luck. Hope it is all you hoped for

Something easy and unique might be to make a Japanese sand/rock garden out of the space and then add a small sitting area and a few rock figures. You could go as simple or as elaborate as you would like, and add more to it each year!

You could eventually build an arch as well to accent the area https://bathtubringsandartsythings.com/2017/08/25/build-your-own-upscale-outdoor-arch-free-pdf/