The least expensive way to landscape a backyard is to seed the lawn, add a gravel or mulch sitting area, and plant young shrubs yourself, for $500 to $1,500 total. A contractor-built backyard with a paver patio commonly runs $5,000 to $20,000 for the same footprint.
The savings are concrete. A 200-square-foot pea gravel patio costs roughly $300 to $600 in materials versus $3,000 or more in pavers. Grass seed covers a quarter acre for under $100. Three 1-gallon shrubs along a fence cost under $50 and fill in within two seasons. String lights and a steel fire ring add evening use for about $150.
Fix the layout before buying anything, since moving a patio later is the real money-waster. Trying a few versions on a photo of your yard through OutdoorBrite's plans settles it early.