There is nothing as good as heading out into your own private backyard to enjoy the space you’re paying for. Mortgages and rents are on the rise, which means that you should make the most of any of the space that you can call yours – after all, you’re paying for it! Whether you have a small backyard with limited lawn or patio space, or a larger back yard that sprawls into a green, green lawn, the possibilities for improvement truly are endless.
One of the best ways that you can improve your backyard aesthetic is with the best furniture you can afford. Whether you buy wooden benches and tables or rattan garden furniture, elevating the outside by spreading your interior themes outward can make all the difference. Your backyard transformation won’t end at furniture, either, because there are SO many options out there that will change up your outdoor space in an instant. Are you ready to learn more?
Invest in new furniture
Upgrading the old furniture into something new is obviously the best first move you can make when you are improving your backyard. You need to create a comfortable and inviting area for yourself, your family and your friends. Choosing the right furniture means looking at the right materials. Ideally, you don’t want to drag furniture in and out of storage every time you want to use it, so choosing waterproof and weatherproof furniture will make all the difference to you. Beyond the weather, let’s not forget comfort! Benches are wonderful as a space to sit and enjoy your back yard but they’re not always the most comfortable option. Cushioned seating is where it’s at, and so choosing stylish, functional and comfortable furniture is a must. Cushions can be weather and waterproof, too, so shop around for the best ones.
Consider calling the experts
If landscaping is something you can visualize but not something you can create, call the experts and bring in the best landscaping team in your local area. Landscaping plays a much-needed role in your transformation of your outside space, with vibrant flower beds, low-maintenance shrubbery and green, green grass the focus. You want your backyard to come alive, and when it does you’ll be excited to watch it happen. Assess your environment and where you want the furniture to go, and then talk to the experts about what you want. Paying for this service is an excellent idea, because you can then worry about how your furniture looks, and not try to reorganise your lawn space yourself.
Think about how much space you have
If you have a large garden you might have a lot of options for making it look good but if you’re limited by how much space you have, you might need something more low-maintenance than that. So, think container gardens! You can choose from a range of pots, planters and even hanging baskets to add pops of colour to your backyard. You’ll be able to mix and match the plant species in a single container at a time, and that adds both texture and variety to your outdoor area. You can even create vertical gardens if you have no lawn space but only a patio. These vertical gardens can be built into trellises or wall-mounted planters, and you can add plants like ivy and jasmine to maximise the space while adding greenery to an otherwise grey space.
Light up the back
When you are extending your interior design into your outdoor yard, you need to remember lighting. You want to be able to use the back yard as much as possible, throwing open the doors of the house to extend into the outside. For this, you need the right lighting. Beyond security lights, you need to think about lighting that softens the space in the evening, especially. You can choose citronella candles to keep the bugs away and add a touch of romance to the lighting structure, but you should think how lighting can transform the backyard into a magical space at night time. Solar lighting can save you money, and you can choose solar fairy lights, too. If you need bright lighting for evening BBQs and cooking, lanterns and wall mounted walkway lighting can be exactly what you need. Some people prefer motion sensor lighting and it’s something that you should consider if you plan to move in and out of the house. This way, you don’t have to leave the lights running all the time.
Add a kitchen
Some people want to go beyond the BBQ in their backyard and elevate it with an entirely outdoor kitchen. If you enjoy cooking and entertaining, a functional kitchen can be a must. You can even add a refrigerator and under-unit station for crockery and cutlery. Create a dedicated cooking area to make it easy to prepare meals that you can serve directly outside. Depending on the budget and space, you can go simple with your set up or you can make it more complex. Adding seating at the cooking area – rather like a breakfast bar – will allow your guests (or your family!) to sit close to the action. If your backyard is a smaller one, a portable grill is a better option than a full kitchen as that’s all you might have room for. Don’t forget those essentials – a durable chopping board, utensil storage and a sink can be installed.
Install a water feature
For a true elevation of your backyard to make improvements, look at adding a water feature. Whether it’s a fountain, a waterfall on the wall or a pond, a water feature will mask the noise of outside traffic and movement while creating a focus point for stunning visuals and calm. A pond packed with fish, lilies and frogs can add some nature that you might be missing right now, and you can ensure that it’s an eye-catching addition to the space. Also, if you have the room, another water feature you could choose to add is a swimming pool. That touch of luxury can be everything you need. You can add potted plants, comfortable seating and decorative elements – even a water slide – if you want to improve the yard. The presence of water in your backyard will immediately add relaxing vibes and that’s the case whether you’re looking at a gently bubbling fountain or a pool reflecting light in the sunshine.
Install a firepit
Fire pits are excellent additions to the backyard if you’re looking for that communal vibe. Remember the days of camping with your family? Well, you can recreate those ‘smores at the back and create a gathering place for chatting and socialising. The key to a good fire pit? Good seating! Cushioned benches, waterproof beanbags and a small fence around the area when in use will keep everyone comfortable and safe. Store blankets and throws in an outdoor box away from the weather and you’ll be able to access them while keeping them away from indoor throws.
Add a zone for entertainment
Got the space for entertaining? Digging out some of the garden to install low seating can be combined with the installation of a firepit, too. You can add a game area with an outdoor pingpong table drilled into the ground, cornhole boards and a basketball hoop. All of these things create an amazing space for everyone. With the right setup, your entire garden can become the go-to place for your friends and family to have much-needed downtime. Garden entertainment can be enhanced when you improve your backyard, and your entertainment choices are truly endless. Just make a point of buying waterproof storage so that you can keep your games, blankets and any throw cushions in one place out of the weather when you need to.
Upgrade your privacy
When was the last time you had the fences done in your backyard? Privacy is essential and if you decide to add a pool to your backyard, don’t forget to add a pool-safe fence. You might find that by law, you need to have this so that you can enjoy your backyard even more without being told you’re given a fine for not protecting everyone. You can choose so many fencing materials for the boundaries of your house, from wood and metal to bamboo – depending on the look and feel you want to achieve. Consider natural privacy elements, too, such as hedges, bamboo plants and a green wall that adds nature while enveloping sound.
Making improvements to your backyard doesn’t just elevate your home’s value, but gives you a boost to your daily life. You need a backyard you can be proud of and with the right elements, furniture and privacy you’re going to have a backyard you can feel truly proud of. Your choice for your backyard will be a gamechanger so take these tips and start planning! You have a garden to upgrade and new furnishings to buy!
