The inside of your home will attract most of your attraction, but it’s worthwhile looking at your outdoor space, too. Done correctly, this can have a hugely positive impact on the overall quality of your home, providing a space where you, your family, and your friends can relax, unwind, and have fun.
Getting an outdoor space that elevates your life is a process, but it’s worth undertaking. Below, we’ll look at some tips that’ll help you to get the most from your backyard, allowing you to soak up all that’s great about being outdoors right from your own property.
Get Inspired
The sky’s the limit when it comes to your yard. The only limitations will be the size of the space and your imagination. If you’re not naturally creative when it comes to outdoor areas, look at getting inspired by what other people have done with their homes. There’s plenty of inspiration to be found on blogs, social media sites, and design-focused websites. From there, it’ll be all about deciding which elements would work in your yard and then going with it.
Start with a Blank Canvas
You may be able to fit the grand vision for your yard into the existing template. But in most cases, it’ll be easier to start with a blank canvas. This process essentially involves removing most of what’s already in your yard, such as debris, plants that don’t fit in with your vision, any dirt pile-ups, and basically anything else that doesn’t need to be there. It’s best to hire a dumpster, which will make the process much easier to manage.
Hire a Landscaper
You don’t necessarily need to hire a landscaper since it’s very much possible to get your yard into shape with your own hands. However, if you’re short of time, don’t have confidence that you put together a great yard, or simply want the best of the best, then it’s recommended to hire a landscaper. You’ll pay for it, of course, but it’ll be worth it, especially if you’re planning to turn your yard into an outdoor living area. They’ll work with you to come up with a plan that fits your needs and requirements, and they’ll also likely provide a few surprise elements that help to take your yard to the next level.
Consider Adding a Vegetable Garden
In our opinion, more people should have a vegetable garden in their yard. There are so many benefits to doing so. It’s an awesome hobby, for starters, that’ll have you spending more quality time outside. There’s nothing better than spending a late summer’s morning tending to your crops. Plus, they’re nowhere near as difficult to get started as you might imagine. And on top of all of that, you’ll end up with fresh vegetables that you can use in your recipes. What’s more, those vegetables will taste much better than anything you can find in the store.
Invest in Quality Outdoor Furniture
Done correctly, your yard will look beautiful. But you’ll want to do more than just take pretty photographs of the space. You’ll also want to spend long hours enjoying the view and sunshine. For that, you’ll need some outdoor furniture. You don’t necessarily need to spend a lot on your outdoor furniture — the main objective is that it’s comfortable enough to sit in all day long. As well as general lounge chairs, look at adding a dining table, which will allow you to enjoy meals outside. You may also go the extra mile by adding a hammock or extra large outdoor bean bag. Trust us when we say no one ever regrets buying those types of comfort seating options.
Incorporate Storage Solutions
The more you use your yard, the more messy it will become. Children’s toys and gardening tools are essential, but they’ll compromise the look and feel of your yard. As such, it’s recommended to look for sheds for sale that you can add to your yard, which will allow you to keep all your goods well-organized and secure. It’s a good idea to ensure your shed is large enough to accommodate your outdoor furniture since it’s best to keep it protected from damage during the wet and cold periods of the month.
Add Some Privacy
In truth, it’s highly unlikely that anyone — neighbors, passersby — would look into your yard. However, you’ll feel comfortable knowing that you’re not on display in any way. As such, it’s recommended to add some privacy to your new yard. How you do this will depend on the yard itself. It may involve adding a high fence to the edge, adding a few trees, or even adding a gazebo or other covered structure — this will give the additional benefit of providing protection from the sun during the hottest summer days.
Let There Be Light
People often overlook the need for a light source in their yard. While you’ll have visions of spending days in the light and bright sunshine, the sun will set at some point — and you won’t want to go inside as soon as it does. So think about incorporating atmospheric lighting into your yard. The key word there is atmospheric; a bright light is useful to have for illumination and security purposes, but it won’t help enhance the overall vibe of the space. So while you should have a bright security light, it’s also encouraged to add low lighting that enhances your yard. A few warm bright lights and fairy lights around the edge will create an inviting space.
Year-Round Warmth
We all have visions of the summer months when we’re putting together our yards. But it’s worth keeping in mind that it won’t always be hot and sunny. Even in the summer months, the nights can be a little chilly from time to time. One way to ensure you can enjoy your yard long into the night is to add a fire pit. While you can build a fire pit yourself, it’s generally best to buy one — there are plenty of affordable options available. This can also open up the option to spend winter evenings outside. There’s something special about spending time outside on those cold January nights when the stars are extra bright.
Attract Wildlife
Looking to enhance your home’s nature credentials? You’ll have done a lot to do so in the course of putting together your yard. And you can take things even further by working to attract wildlife to your yard. There are certain plants that’ll attract butterflies and other creatures we all love to see when we’re outdoors. Another way is to add a water feature. This naturally requires more work, but it’ll pay off — not only will you see birds and other wildlife in your yard, but they’re also just hyper relaxing.
BBQs and Music
Finally, think of the absolute best moments you’ll have in your yard. They’ll be those long summer days when everything feels right with the world. You can ensure you can live those moments to the fullest by adding a BBQ and a sound system. With those two things, you, your family, and your friends will have everything they need to settle in. There’ll be nowhere you’d rather be.
Conclusion
You don’t get great things by accident. Putting together an awesome outdoor space takes work, but it’s an achievable aspiration for anyone willing to dig deep and make the effort. Once you’re done, you’ll have a space that elevates the look and feel of your entire property, and which enhances your happiness when at home.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at Blufashion. She has been steering the website’s content and editorial direction since 2018. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra’s expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
