Planning Your Dream Backyard
Our backyards can often be our oasis away from the rest of the world. After a hard day at work, it’s nice to sit and relax in your private, secluded yard and rest in the evening. To most of us, the perfect backyard puts us in a good mood and is a place where we can unwind. But it’s also a space that we love to share, a place where we can entertain our guests and see their faces light up with joy. Usually, an acceptable backyard has privacy and lots of shaded areas. The perfect backyard also has an area to cook outdoors, a seating area for when we entertain guests, and a play area for our little ones. Moreover, many of us like a good workshop in the back, a bonfire area, and room enough for outdoor games.
Many Americans enjoy entertaining and spending time outdoors. Yet, many Americans are unsatisfied with the condition of their backyard living spaces. Remodeling a backyard can be intimidating and overwhelming. It can be difficult to even know where to begin. Designing and remodeling a backyard is much different than remodeling an interior living space. This is why many homeowners leave the landscaping duties to a professional landscaper. However, even with the services of a professional landscaping company, the homeowner should still have an idea of their ideal backyard entertainment space.
Visualize your dream backyard. It can be helpful in the design process to visualize what your ideal backyard would look like. Would there be ample seating for all of your guests? Would the backyard be illuminated by twinkle lights or hardscape lighting for nighttime entertaining? Would there be a firepit or fireplaces to warm up by on a chilly, fall night? Considering all of these factors prior to contacting a professional landscaping process can help you to make decisions and narrow down services.
Consider layout. Adding too many exterior entertainment features to a small yard can quickly busy up the yard and make it feel too crowded. Always consider the size and layout of your backyard. If you have a smaller space, narrow down your requirements. Seating should always be a priority. A backyard with beautiful views and many entertainment properties can be pointless if you and your guests have nowhere to sit. Experienced craftsmen, however, can often create unique hardscape designs, creating seating in unique places. Also, installing fireplaces in your backyard can provide a great location for additional seating.
Consider return on investment options. Remodeling your backyard living space can increase the value of your home, depending on the types of additions that you make to it. Future home buyers may be willing to pay more for your home, if your backyard living space is also ideal for their entertainment needs. In fact, Money Magazine wrote that landscaping can bring a recovery value of 100 to 200% at selling time. This means that, depending on your additions, you could receive more money back than what you spent in the sale. It is important, however, to consider making backyard improvements that other homeowners may also want. Unique ideas, such as backyard ovens, may not be beneficial to others, and may not provide as much of a return.
Plan landscaping carefully. Some landscaping tasks can actually be beneficial for the home. Planting trees in carefully selected places can reduce the amount of sunlight that makes it into the home, also reducing the cooling costs of the house. Landscaping can reduce air conditioning by up to 50% by shading the windows and walls of a home, according to the American Public Power Association. Large bushes or shrubs placed around the property line can provide additional security and noise cancelling properties, making the house more attractive to buyers and reducing the need to install a fence.
Keep up on your new outdoor living space. Some homeowners may not fully realize the care and upkeep that may be required of their new outdoor living space. The new outdoor living space may require special lawn care or trimming. The fireplaces may need to be cleaned out regularly. The new lawn,flowers and fireplaces may need to be watered and provided with special plant food. It is important to consider any upkeep and to learn of proper upkeep techniques.
Water during the coolest parts of the day, preferably in the early morning. Watering in the middle of the day increases the amount of water lost to evaporation by as much as 40%. Conversely, late evening overhead watering may contribute to insects and fungal diseases because foliage does not have time to dry before night, when fungal spores germinate.
Install a Pool: One of the most popular forms of entertainment for backyard enthusiasts is a swimming pool for family time. Many homeowners, especially those who live in warmer climates, enjoy having a backyard with a pool when cooling off after the brazen heat of a hot summer’s day. Whether you have room for a small ground pool, an above-ground pool, or a custom swimming pool, they are known to improve your mood and are great for entertaining your family and guests in the backyard. When renovating a backyard, many homeowners hire a professional swimming pool builder to design a swimming pool that meets all their backyard desires, promotes family bonding, and reduces stress and anxiety. Having a place to swim can also help you get quality sleep at night.
The possibilities of remodeling an outdoor living space are endless. However, many things should be considered before beginning your outdoor remodel. You will want to keep in mind things that future home buyers will be interested in, the size and layout of your yard, and the upkeep of any requested projects. With the right preparation, you can transform your backyard into a place you are excited to spend time in.