There must have been many moments when you looked at your backyard and thought, “I need to do something about this place.” Maybe it’s been sitting the same for years, and you want to change the outdoors. Maybe you just moved in and want to create your ideal backyard oasis. Or maybe you are feeling creative and want to get the yard ready for the new season.
Whatever your reason is–we get it!
80% consumers value outdoor living, today more than ever. And following the indoor-outdoor living trend, you too deserve a backyard straight out of your imagination. This article aims to help you get a headstart on the journey with five steps to prepare your yard for new additions.
Step 1. Inspect and Inspire
Start by looking at your backyard–really look at it. Imagine how you want the space to be. When inspecting the yard, pay attention to nature’s clues in plain sight.
It’s also the time to arm yourself with backyard inspirations. Collect your ideas–from magazines clippings, aesthetic instagram pages, or Pinterst pins–and build your library.
Step 2. Ideas Meet Your Needs and Style
You have a picture in mind. Next, zero in on your backyard needs. You may be fascinated by a 2000-square-foot patio or luxurious backyard kitchen–we all are. But will it really serve you any purpose?
Afterall, it wouldn’t be best investing thousands in an outdoor kitchen if you don’t care for BBQ.
Discuss the needs with your family. If you have children, they’ll probably want a dedicated play area. Maybe your partner wants to start a garden farm. Or how about finally adding that water feature in the yard you’ve always wanted.
Now, let’s ground the dreams. Decide your budget for the renovation and space you want to utilize. This will allow you to create a realistic blueprint of the dream backyard– combining your ideas and needs.
Step 3. Add a Concrete Foundation
A concrete foundation will serve as the central spot for your outdoor living. It’ll provide a stable surface for the sheds, patio, furniture, and other outdoor activities.
Think of how the foundation will integrate with your landscape. A well planned concrete base will complement your home’s architect–offering ample space for everything.
Go back to your blueprint for the measurements. If you plan just for a patio, allow approximately 25 square feet per person for comfortable seating and movement. The professional can also customize the foundation shape and size for storage sheds, outdoor kitchens, or garages.
Step 4. Factor the Landscaping
Landscaping is the perfect way to inject life into your backyard–there’s no way you’re skipping on this.
For an alluring landscape, identify the hidden treasures in your existing yard–an attractive set of stairs, a lovely view, and a brick patio–all waiting to be noticed. Alongside, find the liabilities–unattractive garage doors or worn-out fencing.
Based on this, plan your landscape. Add different elements, including:
- Steps: concrete or stone
- Paths: brick, crushed stone, flagstone, etc
- Structures: pergola, screened seating, arched gateway, etc
- Decks: geometric or wraparound
- Walls: Timber or stone
Also, plan out your garden. Prep the soil. Consider the type of grass and plant. Even better–try layering plants of different heights and textures for an awe-inspiring backyard.
Step 5. Utilities
A great backyard stays functional year-round, day and night. This means integrating utilities–electricity, water, or gas lines—into your designs to support all your outdoor activities and structure.
Therefore, lastly, boost your yard functionality by adding the following:
- Electrical wiring for installing outdoor lighting, heaters, or sound systems
- Water feature for irrigation, fountain, or outdoor sink
- Gas lines if you want to incorporate an outdoor kitchen with a grill or fire pit.
These last additions will make your backyard the perfect sanctuary–irrespective of the season or time of the day.
Get Building
Every element of your backyard tells a story. The outdoor fireplace will become the conversation hotspot during get-togethers, while the patio will be your recharging spot after tiring workdays.
And it’ll all start with a plan. A plan that is laid out in the above five steps. So, put them into action and bring your dream backyard to life–just like you envisioned.
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