When Sarah Khandjian, author of DIY blog Sarah Hearts [1], wanted to make her concrete patio feel more like a lush yard, she rolled up her sleeves and applied four ingenious hacks. If you have a lackluster outdoor space and a tight budget, you need to check them out below. Then, visit Sarah Hearts [2] for all the DIY [3] details.

1. Throw Down an Artificial Turf Rug

No grass, no problem; Sarah purchased an artificial turf rug [4], which is essentially a weatherproof area rug made of artificial grass, to cover up harsh concrete and create the soft look of a lawn.

2. Update an Ikea Bench

Sarah added stylish seating — so she can enjoy leisurely afternoons in her beautiful outdoor space — by purchasing a superaffordable Ikea Nornas bench and giving it a DIY paint makeover [5].

3. Decorate Cinderblocks With Chalk Stencils

Some might see a cinderblock wall as an eyesore, but Sarah saw it as an opportunity for some art. She made a stencil out of cardstock [6] and then traced and filled it in with white chalk to create a geometric accent wall.

4. Add Pretty Planters

Since she can't plant in the concrete, Sarah is growing her succulent garden in sleek white planters instead. Their design is a cool contemporary touch, and the planters' different sizes and heights create depth and richness in the space.