With a new home comes a lot of new interior projects from deep cleaning to paint to decoration. With your focus on replacing, refinishing, or renovating, other projects could go down the drain. But your outdoor space matters too. And even if you’ve been living in your home for years now, it might be time to give your outdoor spaces a facelift.
Creating a living space in your garden that reflects your personal style is just as important as interior improvements. Here are some ways to create a backyard that will impress the whole neighborhood. For more information, you can also try these methods to beautify your terrace and payment these factors before buying outdoor furniture.
1. Make a plan
Before furnishing and organizing your garden, it is important to imagine your end goal. Try to imagine how you will use the space. Do barbecues in your garden appeal to you? Do you want large spaces for pets and children to run around in? Do you prefer a peaceful garden to read books in the shade? Answering the “what” will prepare you to answer the “how” of renovating your garden.
Whatever you’ll be using your space for, take stock of the current state. Almost any enjoyable garden space will need to start with a clean, secure, safe and healthy environment. These basics should be the first things you think about when upgrading your garden:
Lawn area
Your front lawn may attract the attention of passers-by and nosy neighbors, but your backyard lawn is where you’re most likely to spend time enjoying. Whether it’s finding the right lawn care products or simply buying a new lawnmower to combat the overgrowth, your lawn will appreciate a little TLC. After all, it is a living being and the “flooring” of your outdoor living space.
Drawing a sketch of your garden vision will help you mentally organize the space and decide which parts of your lawn you want to keep, resurface or expand. Be sure to take measurements before you start. A few sheets of graph paper can really help you make sure your plans are proportionate. Be sure to deduct any area that could be covered by deck or patio surfaces when calculating how much seed, mulch or fertilizer you need.
Pavers and gravel offer a DIY approach to creating a patio.
terrace structure
Once your lawn space is taken care of and on the mend, it’s time to turn to your other surfaces. This is where you will probably install furniture, outdoor devices and other accessories.
If your home has an existing patio structure like a deck or pergola, it’s important to thoroughly inspect it and check for rotten boards, chipped nail heads, or damage that could affect the security. If there are significant problems, fixing it can be more expensive than removing it and starting all over again.
If you don’t like your current structures, you can usually demo a wooden structure in a weekend with the help of a friend or two. If it’s a concrete patio, you’ll probably need to rent a jackhammer or hire skilled labor to do the job.
Pouring a new patio or building a deck is doable, do-it-yourself, but very requires a lot of work and must be carefully calculated. If you want (or need to) go the DIY route, laying down pavers or filling with gravel might be the easiest approach to tackling a new patio yourself.
Fencing
If your home needs a fence for kids, pets, or privacy, keep that in mind when budgeting for your backyard renovations. Most homeowners choose to have a fence installed by a professional, but you can DIY if you have a few days. Many home improvement stores sell fences in short sections. Again, some perimeter measurements and some math will give you a good idea of how much this project will cost.
A note on fencing: Before hiring a professional, it’s important to make sure you know where your property lines are. You can find out by contacting your county assessor or the registrar’s office. Sometimes property maps are also available online. You may also have received a survey in your documents when you purchased your home. This will include the batch details.
It is also courteous to discuss your fence plans with your neighbors. Best to address any concerns before the work is completed. Some people partner with their neighbors on the cost and upkeep of fences, but tread lightly here. This can be a way to cut costs, but like borrowing money from relatives, it can quickly deteriorate an otherwise good relationship if complications arise.
2. Create living spaces
With your landscaping and basic structures settled, the next thing to do is focus on creating dedicated living spaces. A backyard should have a floor plan, with spaces for cooking, dining, relaxing and entertaining. Consider these broad categories and how each fits into your outdoor living space.
Not everyone may have a garden large enough to accommodate multiple spaces. If you are limited, consider combining spaces. A beautiful dining set with multiple chairs allows you to create different seating arrangements. A hammock or high-end folding chairs provide seating that you can store when not in use.
A grill and bar make a great simple outdoor kitchen setup.
Cooking and grilling
No yard is complete without a place to grill. You may not need a high-end outdoor kitchen (even if you can make it work, I highly recommend it). Just setting up a sort of “grilling station” will motivate you to cook more outdoors. If you’re hosting a happy hour, consider an outdoor bar cabinet. Often these have wheels and you can move or store them when not in use.
The most important thing to consider for outdoor grilling is the location of the grill. You want a space that is well ventilated, but not far from the entrance to your home for quick access to the kitchen. Grills come in a variety of types, sizes, and styles, so be sure to check them out. our guide before shopping. Other outdoor kitchen considerations include things like coolerssmokers and pizza ovens.
Outdoor lounge
Just like the interior of your home, a welcoming backyard needs a comfortable place to relax. It means to add garden furniture. If you have the space, outdoor sofas and chairs are the easiest way to set up spaces for conversation and relaxation.
Garden furniture can be pricey, but used and DIY options exist if you’re looking to save some cash. Sectional sofas, rocking chairs, hammocks, and the classic Adirondack style are all great options for seating away from the dinner table.
Dining area
This dining table will probably be the heart of your garden. Al fresco dining can look like anything from a cafe for two to a full dining table that seats eight. If you’re short on space, coffee sets often offer a foldable table and two to four chairs that can tuck away in a corner when not in use.
Be sure to choose furniture made from a material that you are willing to maintain. Wood options may require sealing and finishing in the future. Composite materials or metal will likely require less care.
Yard games are a hit at the backyard barbecue.
Room for fun
Once all your kitchen furniture and accessories are in place, you’ll still need a little space to have fun. Think green space for kids and dogs, or open space for garden games or yoga and meditation.
These fun spaces can be part of the lawn you laid out in your original plan or a separate area with its own special surface. Putting green, anyone?
This is also the perfect time to reflect smart exterior technology and entertainment. Speakers, spotlights And screens can outfit your space for epic movie nights under the stars. Or you can spice up your outdoor bar with a TV (like Samsung’s). outdoor model) for a sports bar atmosphere.
String lights add warmth to any outdoor space.
3. Add the final touch
Once all your main pieces are in place, it’s time to add the details. Pillows, throws and outdoor rugs create a cozy atmosphere. Adding textiles softens the look of any wood, concrete, and metal outdoor spaces that can be heavy.
A colorful umbrella adds visual interest and keeps you cool. No magical outdoor dining experience would be complete without twinkling string lights and the warm glow of a hearth. All of these items can be purchased for as little or as much money as your budget allows. More expensive is not always better, so keep an eye out for big-box stores for well-reviewed deals.
To make the most of your time outdoors, make sure you know how to repel mosquitoes And how to grill like a pro. For more DIY projects, check out what color to paint your front door to increase the value of your homeAnd how to choose the right paint color for your home office.