If you’re here reading this, then chances are you’re looking to upgrade your outdoor space/area. Or at least you’re thinking about it.
But making your outdoor space look all opulent and luxurious is SO expensive… Right? Well, turns out – not necessarily. So if this is something that would interest you, we’ve got you.
All it’ll take to get that ‘rich’ look is choosing the right materials and a bit of careful planning. And don’t forget the design of it all. That’s a must.
So, let’s get into the what and the how!
Elegant Planting Without the Cost
The easiest thing you can do to make your outdoor space more luxurious is to invest in plants.
Do a little research on native plants in your region because those are already used to the climate and typically need less water (up to 60% less), fertilizer, and maintenance.
When you pick plants you want to fill your space with, another secret to a luxury look is layering them the right way. Put taller trees and shrubs at the back, medium-height plants in the middle, and lower plants and flowers in the front. This layering will create depth and a stronger visual effect, without a large amount of plants.
Also, to make your garden look fancy and colorful all year, pick flowers that bloom in spring, colorful trees and shrubs for fall, and evergreens to add a pop of color in the winter.
Gravel and Stone as Luxury Elements
When you’re walking and looking around the neighborhood, you’re probably not noticing gravel and stone in people’s yards, but it is an often underestimated element in luxury landscaping.
They add texture, durability, and structure to outdoor areas without the costs of pouring concrete.
Design
Gravel is versatile and can be used for driveways, pathways, and garden borders. They can work in different styles, and stones like river rock, limestone, and flagstone also help reduce maintenance by suppressing weed growth and improving drainage.
There are many types, shapes, sizes, and colors of stones and gravel you can play with while designing your outdoor space. It’s recommended to use white and brighter stones in shady areas, warmer colored gravel for a rustic feel, and pear pebbles for creating a coastal and upscale feel.
Finding Affordable Materials
Sourcing materials from a local supplier is the best way to keep costs low. Gravel delivers prices range from 24 to 65 USD (per ton), but vary depending on distance and size.
For example, smaller loads that weigh 5-7 tons cost around 200-500 dollars with delivery, and larger orders up to 20 tons range from around 600-1,200 dollars. The best way to learn about prices and delivery options is to do a little online ‘gravel delivery near me’ search and connect with professionals.
In the meantime, here is a little cheat sheet for the most popular gravel types, prices, and uses to help you plan your outdoor space:
| Gravel type | Average price range (in USD; per ton) | Typical use |
| Pea gravel | 25-53 | Walkways, driveways, patios, garden beds |
| Crushed limestone | 30-53 | Driveways, pathways, base layers |
| Crusher run | 24-34 | Driveway base, road base, drainage |
| River rock | 45-130 | Dry creek beds, edging, landscape accents |
| Decomposed granite | 25-50 | Paths, patios, garden trails |
| Lava rock | 75-85 | Xeriscaping, dry areas, accent features |
| Crushed granite | 25-50 | Garden paths, borders, walkways |
Budget-friendly Outdoor Structures
Outdoor structures can easily elevate your space to a more luxurious feel, and there are options that don’t cost a small fortune.
- Arbors: You can find metal arbors for under 100 USD, and wood kits that cost between 150 and 400. Add a fresh coat of paint and climbing plants, and you’ll have a simple but beautiful new feature in your garden.
- Pergolas: They are a great addition for outdoor sitting and dining spaces, and if you purchase a DIY kit, you can add it to your yard for only 300-550 dollars; professionals will charge you between 2,100 and 6,000.
- Privacy screens: If you want a private and cozy corner, this is a great alternative to fences. You can choose from lattice panels, bamboo screens, or tall planter boxes with climbing plants. Manufactured wooden or metal privacy panels sell from 40 to 160 USD, but that depends on size, quality, and materials.
Water and Fire Features
With the addition of water and a fire feature, you will add a sense of tranquility and warmth. There are a lot of options that enable you to DIY it yourself and without high costs.
If you want to save on costs, there are lots of DIY kits available for various features.
You can easily find water features ranging from 75-300 USD online, plus they can effortlessly be installed within hours. If you’re going in another direction, there’s the DIY “I’ll build it myself because I don’t like kits” scenario where you can, for instance, you can build a nice-looking fire pit with easy-to-get materials (e.g., bricks, pavers, galvanized metal rings), all of which you can acquire at your local hardware store.
Plus, it’s not difficult to do, because there are plenty of tutorials/guides for you to follow online where you can learn the whole build process from start to finish.
Ultimately, regardless of which feature you’re going for, DIYing it (or buying a kit) can get you the same or similar results for a fraction of the cost of what a professional would charge you.
Conclusion
Luxury isn’t always about money.
Luxury can be a safe space, peace, family, and friends. And if you have that, you already have the most important ‘tools’ to spread that luxury to your backyard.
With a small investment, and smart planning and designing, you can create an outdoor oasis that feels luxurious, peaceful, and priceless.