Hello World! Welcome Friends! After being cooped up inside all winter, you’ve probably started thinking about how to create your dream backyard. Whether you want to get cozy around a fire pit or host wine time with friends, a backyard home improvement project is always exciting.
There are endless possibilities to turn your backyard into your favorite hangout. Here are some factors to consider when planning your backyard design and ideas to inspire you.
What to Consider Before Starting Your Backyard Project
Before decorating your backyard, it’s important to devise a plan. Ask yourself the following questions ahead of your backyard undertaking:
- How will I use the space?
- What are must-haves for the backyard?
- What materials do I like?
- How much maintenance am I willing to take on?
- Do I need to design anything around kids?
- How often do I entertain outside?
- What plants does my local climate support?
- What is my budget?
An easy DIY backyard project could cost anywhere from $500-$2,000 — or over $10,000 for a complete upgrade. Ultimately, it depends on what you want to add or change within the space.
Ask friends, family and neighbors if you can look at their backyards for inspiration. If you work with a landscape architect, you can request to see a portfolio of past projects or ask them to visit clients’ finished spaces.
8 Ways to Transform Your Backyard
Once you’ve determined your budget and design, you can begin transforming your backyard. Here are eight ideas to build the beautiful outdoor sanctuary of your dreams.
1. Add Comfortable Seating
To unwind, purchase comfortable outdoor furniture, such as a weather-resistant sofa, accent chairs, lounge chairs or hammocks. You may have more options if your patio has an overhang to protect furniture from the elements.
According to the International Casual Furnishings Association, 54% of Americans will buy new furniture for their outdoor living areas in 2023. A relaxing seating area is perfect for catching up on summer reading, meditating or visiting with friends. Adding a table and chairs will also make it possible to dine alfresco.
2. Build a Pergola
Nosy neighbors are enough to aggravate and ruin anybody’s outdoor fun. Fortunately, you can add a pergola to your backyard space for some much-needed privacy. Pergolas may be free-standing structures, but hanging plants and vines will fill in the openings and prevent wandering eyes from peering in.
3. Install a Fire Pit
There are few things as warm and inviting as a cozy fire. Installing a fire pit in your backyard is ideal for huddling with friends and family during cool summer and fall nights.
Some homeowners may be willing to spend money on a built-in fire pit with seating. Others may go for a free-standing fire pit for natural gas or propane hook-ups. Additionally, you may be interested in a chiminea, outdoor fireplace or tabletop fire pit instead.
4. String Lights
String lights across your patio overhang or over an outdoor dining table. The proper lighting creates a magical ambiance for dining outdoors or hanging out with visitors. You may need an electrician to help you install the lights safely.
Tiki torches, lanterns, solar walkway lights and bollard lights are other options for your backyard escape. Add colored bulbs and decorative garden lamps for more enchanting illumination.
5. Create a Garden
Do you have a green thumb? Maybe gardening isn’t your thing, but you’re willing to learn. Designate a small area to start a vegetable or herb garden. Start this project by sketching a layout according to how much sunlight each plant needs to thrive.
Otherwise, greenery and colorful flowers will enhance the aesthetics of your backyard for seasonal outdoor enjoyment. Better yet, use your homegrown vegetables and herbs in your favorite seasonal dishes.
6. Add a Water Feature
A fountain, small pond or babbling brook could turn your backyard into a meditative outdoor space. Flowing water is a calming element and may also benefit the local environment.
Constructing a pond allows you to create a new habitat for regional wildlife and pollinator species. Including native plants in and around your water feature will entice critters to return and won’t require much maintenance.
7. Design an Outdoor Entertainment Area
According to the 2021 New Home Trends Institute survey, 68% of homeowners add outdoor kitchens to their backyard renovations. Experts even believe outdoor entertainment areas will become more popular than indoor areas in the next three years.
Homeowners have several opportunities to turn their backyard into a breathtaking outdoor space for cooking and entertaining. Kitchens, pizza ovens, built-in barbecues and bars are common additions. Widescreen televisions and a speaker system are other possibilities for catching the game or turning on background music.
8. Decorate With Colorful Flower Pots
Flower pots come in various shapes, sizes, colors and patterns to inject versatility and height into your backyard escape. Match pots to a specific theme — such as boho style or Mediterranean ceramic designs — or opt for a more whimsical collection.
If you’ve always had difficulty keeping flowers alive, consider filling decorative window planters with fake ones instead.
Turn Your Backyard Into Your Personal Oasis
Your dream backyard is possible on every budget. You can do plenty of things to make your backyard your favorite place. Think long and hard about how you see the finished project and what you can do to bring your vision to life.
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Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day/night depending on where you are in the world! Go with God and remember to be kind to one another!
Toodles,
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