Just a thought but perhaps you could check out Craigslist to see if anyone is getting rid of used bricks or other hardscape materials. With a little creativity you could even mix them up in a pattern or random if you procured from different sources. My Dad did a lot of bricklaying after retirement in driveway and backyard--it wasn't a pro job, but it's still there after 30 years.

Thanks, Valinsv! Yeah, I have actually been checking on Craigslist. Haven't found anything suitable yet, but I'm keeping my eye open. I would be a little nervous about mixing up the pattern, just because I've never done this before. I figure with 16" pavers, it would be pretty straight forward. I appreciate your advice!

How about a deck built at ground level?

Lava rocks are sharp so you probably don't want to use those. River rocks get hot and are wobbly under the chair legs. Unless you are deadset on a fire pit (check your city's regulations, they're illegal in many municipalities)a dirt cheap,albeit totally redneck, possibility is a heavy weight tarp and fabric staples. You can check out different positions around the yard in case you decide that the first location is too hot, too windy, etc. Or a couple of enormous beach blankets would work, and won't look as tacky. You could even get fake lighted palm trees and go for a whole kitchy beach party look. They may even be on end of season clearance. Obviously, this isn't heat resistant. It will also kill off the grass so when you do find some cheap pavers at least preparing the site should be a little easier. Just trying to think out of the box. mmo

Hi, If you check Craigslist and other classifieds, and tell everyone you know that you're looking for bricks (or anything else) they may start showing up on your porch. I put out the word that I need bricks and in one month, there are over 1500 of them in my yard, all for my favorite price, FREE!! A friend of mine says that there are a few bricks everywhere. It appears to be true. If you get bricks from lots of sources and mix them up, they just all go together. Sand is cheap to lay them on. If you dig down in the soil to make the bricks level with it, you won't need rebarb around the edge to hold them in place.

Some people on the Garden Junk and Trash to Treasure forums have made paved areas out of wood and other materials. You may want to post this question on those forums. There's a lot of wood being thrown away everywhere in the form of pallets and old redwood or cedar fence boards. You can build a frame from 2x4's or pallet 'stringers' and nail the fence boards on top of them to make a wood floor. If the termites move in, just throw it away and make a new one. (Treated 2x4's are inexpensive and shouldn't be attacked by termites.) Total cost-the price of nails or screws. If splinters are an issue, the boards can be sanded and finished with any exterior stain, sealer or paint. Anyone with 7th grade carpenter skills could help build this thing. You may be able to find a sale on new fence boards and be within your landlord's budget. The wood is far less work than bricks and will possibly be cooler to walk on. This answer has nothing to do with landscape design, just a few ideas about getting a cheap patio. Hope that helps, Linda

Thank you all for the great advice and tips. You guys convinced me to follow through with my initial idea. At first, I was thinking that I would need to have all the materials I will work with before I start so I could plan the design properly. But I could just take it a little at a time, depending on how many bricks and/or pavers I'm able to get each time and be creative with it. Craigslist will be the way to go for that.

I like the wood deck idea as well, but it would probably be harder to remove if the landlord doesn't like it (I figure with the pavers, I could just dig them up if he doesn't want them there when I'm ready to move).

I've got one other question with regard to doing this with pavers: how important is it that I follow all the steps involved with laying pavers (i.e., the steps on the directions of various websites I've checked out)? Are there some steps that are a must for my future patio to look nice and function well?

What part of the country are you in? What's the soil like in your back yard? The amount of prep work involved can vary, especially if your patio is subject to freeze/thaw cycles.

I'm in West Central Florida. As you probably imagine, it's very hot, humid, and rainy for at least six months out of the year. (There are lots of annoying insects around, that's kinda why I'm always a little squirmy on grass and would feel more comfortable standing on a flatter surface).