The backyard has always been a symbol of rest and relaxation in the average American home. You can spend hours just lazing away in the hot sun on a nice summer afternoon, going for a dip in the pool to cool off, or firing up the barbecue to entertain the neighborhood. This is one of the premier spots of your home when it comes to entertaining and just unwinding.
The reality is that many of us have neglected the upkeep of our backyards, so they’re less than optimal when it comes to being that space of entertainment and relaxation. Overgrown weeds, dead grass, lack of grass, or a poor patio situation are all things you need to fix to make sure you can actually use your backyard, and that your backyard is attractive by your standards.
It might take a little bit of hard work and some elbow grease, but turning your backyard situation into one you can be proud of is a task any homeowner should consider. Here are some fun ways to improve your backyard for years to come.
Add a patio cover.
Protecting your patio and everyone who’s using it is an important part of turning your backyard into a more functional and fun area of the home. The best option is to install a patio cover, and Royal Covers shows how simple it can be. You can do overhead covers or roll-down shades to keep the sun out of your eyes and keep you nice and cool. This is important if you have furniture that can get faded from the sun or wood planks for your patio or deck, but nonetheless, it’s a great idea for your backyard.
Update the patio stones.
Keeping in theme with the patio, you want to make sure that your patio stones are also up to date. Old, cracked, or dirty patios are just plain unsightly, and over time, they can get even more damaged by water and weather if they aren’t protected. Your best bet is to simply redo the patio stones, so that you have a stronger foundation to work with. Cracked stones can crack even more, and it’s hard to repair them. Consider stronger materials depending on the climate and one that’s budget-friendly to allow for a bigger patio base. You can even consider making a patio stone walkway as well.
Resod and soil your yard.
If old and beaten-up patio stones are unsightly, then you can imagine how bad it is to look at dead or patchy grass. Huge spots of soil or dirt, yellow grass, and other ugly aspects of your yard should immediately be taken care of. You might be able to fertilize and water it enough to get it looking good again, but there’s a good chance you won’t be able to. For this reason, you should consider resodding and resoiling the yard to get it back to pristine condition, and don’t forget to maintain it once it has been cleaned up.
Plant a garden and flowerbed.
If you’re looking at simpler ways to spruce up the backyard’s look, then a simple garden or flower bed will suffice. It doesn’t take a landscaping expert to learn how to plant vegetables or flowers, and frankly, all you need is some easy video tutorials. You can do this in a short time, say for a weekend, but the results will give you something pretty to look at in the backyard. It’s a good choice for utilizing space in the backyard to make the area feel fuller and more alive.
Restore your old shed.
Nearly everyone has that old tool shed out back that’s just dying for a new paint job or a hinge greasing. Restoring your old shed should be on your priority list because your shed is quite important. Whether you keep all of your tools in there, your sports equipment, or you just have a shed to say you have one, it’s never too late to restore it. Keep in mind that it might take some carpentry craftsmanship if there are serious problems like holes in the walls or beams that need replacing because of age. Regardless, give this one some thought.
Build or install a fence.
Everyone wants privacy, so adding a fence to your yard should be another top priority. If you already have a fence, congratulations, and move on to the next project idea, but for those who don’t, you should really get one. Even if you live in a rural area, it’s never a bad idea to build or install a fence. Besides privacy, the reasons are that it can help your insurance because you’re protecting yourself and others from entering your property, leading to fewer liabilities. A good fence is always a wooden picket fence, but it’s going to take some effort to get it set up, so make sure you can set aside enough time to do this one, but the real fun is when it’s all said and done, and you can lounge there without prying eyes.
Install a pool, hot tub, or sauna.
Saving the biggest for last is adding a major water feature. No, not a bird bath, but a pool, a hot tub, or a sauna. This is by no means a job you should undertake yourself (except for saunas as these can be done yourself with the right knowledge), so it’s always best to get pool or hot tub installation companies to do the work for you. What you’ll save on time will cost you plenty. They’re not cheap, but they do add a whole new dimension to spending time in your backyard, so that’s a plus.
You don’t need the best backyard in the world, but you do need something that feels like a private retreat in your home. These ideas are some good ways to get started on updating your yard, so you can enjoy some R & R in the privacy of your own home.