Summer means the end of school and the start of a lot more outdoor entertaining. Whether you love to play, watch nature, or cook a feast, the outside living space of your home is just as important as the indoor space. Your backyard can be a field of grass, or a beautifully landscaped space ready for entertaining.
The key to having an outdoor space that you love is to treat the project just as you would for an interior remodel. Follow these steps to get a yard you’ll love.
- What do you want to do with the space? Don’t jump on the latest trend to come through your neighborhood! Really think about what you want to use your space for. If your family loves barbecues and eating outdoors, then design a space that is centered around cooking and entertaining. If your dream is to have an organic garden that you can pick your own produce from, then design your space around fruit trees and vegetable patches. Take time to look through design and landscape magazines for ideas, and don’t be afraid if you go through several plans before coming up with the perfect design.
- Don’t be discouraged by a small yard. Just because you have a small outdoor area doesn’t mean that you can’t have a wonderful space! However, you’ll need to make sure to only include the things that you really want. Limit items that take up a lot of space, such as trees, and look for space saving designs, such as garden furniture that includes storage and/or folds away when not in use.
- Consider maintenance. Are you someone who loves to work outdoors, or do you prefer a space that requires minimal upkeep? If you would rather spend your outdoor time playing with the kids than trimming bushes, then consider landscape options that require little to no maintenance. You might want to think about making the investment in synthetic turf or xeriscaping if you truly want a maintenance-free yard. Fortunately, a well-designed low maintenance outside area is a huge selling point for your home.
- Think about privacy. If you live in a home that is close to your neighbors, you definitely want to do a few things to protect your privacy. Make the investment in a tall, well-made fence. You may also want to consider planting trees around the outside perimeter of your yard. As an added bonus, these trees can provide shade in the summer, which will help you to keep your utility bills low.
- Make improvements over time. Just as the interior of your home is never complete, you’ll always find something to add to your outdoor space. As your family grows in the house, what they’ll want to do in the yard will change too. Don’t be upset if your perfect design goes through several revisions over the coming years.
Whatever you plan for your outdoor space, make sure that it is as welcoming and inviting as the inside of your home. With careful planning, your yard will feel like another room of your house.
Image via Unilock.com
