Looking to refresh your outdoor space this season? Whether dreaming of a cozy patio or creative DIY garden decor, these outdoor DIY projects are simple, stylish and renter friendly. With the help of VELCRO® Brand products, you can tackle these backyard DIY ideas without nails, screws or permanent damage.
Here are five fun and functional ways to upgrade your yard, patio or balcony—perfect for summer entertaining or a weekend project.
Your Backyard Makeover Starts Here
Ready to dive into some outdoor DIYs? Use the list below to jump to your favorite project:
- How to Hang String Lights Without Nails
- Vertical Garden DIY
- DIY Solar Light Pathway
- DIY Outdoor Cushions
- Mount a Smart Doorbell Without Drilling
Bonus DIY: Oversized Lawn Word Game
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1. How to Hang String Lights Without Nails
Nothing sets the mood like string lights twinkling overhead. But if you don’t want to drill into walls or trees, the VELCRO® Brand has you covered.
How to do it:
Whether you’re working with a deck, patio railing, fence or even shrubbery, you can hang string lights without nails using VELCRO® Brand ONE-WRAP® Heavy Duty Roll and Ties.
Simply wrap the fasteners around poles, railings or other sturdy structures to secure your lights in place. For longer spans, use cable wire and clamps to support the lights, then attach them with ONE-WRAP® Ties for a clean, wind-resistant setup.
This method is quick, damage-free and renter-friendly—perfect for any patio makeover ideas list.
Full tutorial: How to Hang String Lights in Your Backyard
2. Vertical Garden DIY
Short on space? A vertical garden DIY is a beautiful way to grow herbs, vegetables, flowers or succulents without sacrificing square footage. It’s also a standout piece of DIY garden decor.
How to do it:
Start by choosing a sunny, sheltered location, such as a balcony or fence. Use lightweight containers with good drainage and select compact plants like herbs, ivy or petunias.
To build your vertical garden, attach a wainscoting panel to a wall using VELCRO® Brand Extreme Lock Fasteners, then secure planter boxes to the panel with additional fasteners.
Fill each planter with soil and arrange your plants for a lush, layered look.
This easy, no-tools-required project is perfect for renters and small-space gardeners alike—and it’s just as easy to take indoors when the seasons change.
Full tutorial: DIY Guide to Building a Vertical Garden
3. DIY Solar Light Pathway
Looking for a creative way to light up your yard? Combine rustic charm with functionality by turning reclaimed pallets into solar light pathways. This project is perfect for adding ambiance to walkways, patios or garden beds—no wiring or digging required.
How to do it:
Use VELCRO® Brand Extreme Lock Strips to mount solar lights directly onto hard surfaces, such as brick, concrete or stone. Whether you’re lining a front step, patio edge or garden path, the weather-resistant adhesive holds strong and allows for easy repositioning.
This is a quick, renter-friendly way to enhance your curb appeal and create a welcoming glow, perfect for summer evenings or year-round ambiance.
4. DIY Outdoor Cushions
Add comfort and color to your seating area with DIY outdoor cushions—no zippers or complicated sewing required. This easy project utilizes VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back for Fabrics Tape to create a clean, secure closure perfect for indoor or outdoor use.
How to do it:
Start by measuring and cutting your foam and fabric to size. Wrap the foam in batting for extra comfort, then fold the fabric around the cushion like a present. Use VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back for Fabrics Tape to seal the edges—no sewing machine needed.
This method is ideal for quick updates and makes it easy to remove and wash the covers.
Full tutorial: How to Make an Easy Box Cushion Cover – No Zipper Required
5. Mount a Smart Doorbell Without Drilling
Want to upgrade your entryway without damaging your siding, brick or rental property? With VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor fasteners, you can securely mount a smart doorbell—no nails, screws or tools required.
How to do it:
Clean the surface where you’ll mount the doorbell, then apply VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor Tape to both the back of the device and the wall. Press firmly to lock it in place. The industrial-strength adhesive holds up in all weather and makes removal easy if you move or upgrade your device.
This is one of the best backyard DIY ideas for renters or anyone looking for a clean, damage-free install.
Bonus DIY: Oversized Lawn Word Game
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Looking for a fun, family-friendly project that doubles as outdoor entertainment? This oversized lawn word game is a creative twist on classic board games—perfect for summer gatherings, backyard parties or just a sunny afternoon with the kids.
How to do it:
Start by building a sturdy base using a 2×4 frame and a smooth, hardboard panel. Prime and paint the board white, then tape off and paint a grid for your letter tiles. For the tiles themselves, use pre-cut wood squares or cut your own, then add letters to each one.
To make the game interactive, apply VELCRO® Brand Sticky Back Tape—one side on the board, the other on the back of each tile. This allows you to mix, match and spell out endless words that stay in place during play.
And for double the fun? Flip the board over to reveal a bonus tic-tac-toe game on the back.
This project is a great example of how VELCRO® Brand fasteners can turn a simple idea into a durable, reusable outdoor game the whole family will love.
Full tutorial and more outdoor games: DIY Five Giant Lawn Games for Epic Backyard Fun
Ready to DIY Outdoors?
With just a few VELCRO® Brand products and a little creativity, you can bring your DIY garden decor dreams to life. Whether lighting up your patio, building a vertical garden DIY or crafting DIY outdoor pallet projects, these ideas are easy, affordable and fun.
Share your creations!
Explore more creative ideas on our Instagram and tag @velcrobrand in your finished outdoor projects.
