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Backyard makeover
The backyard is an often neglected part of the home. Modern houses often have a sameness about them and this is particularly
evident in the yard. Major housebuilders and contractors lack imagination in this area, preferring to leave it more like
a blank canvas for the homeowner to paint their design onto. Landscaping your lot however is one of the best things that
you can do to give your home a sense of individuality and make it stand out from the crowd.
One of the biggest hurdles to overcome is getting good backyard ideas for the design phase. Websites like www.bhg.com,
www,gardenweb.com and www.garden.com can provide useful inspiration and even offer backyard landscaping and yard
design software to help with the task. Many people get inspiration just from Backyard makeover.
So what sort of features make a good backyard then? Well it depends on the size of the lot and style of the home of course,
but there are some general guidelines that can help when you need to do some DIY backyard remodeling. Try putting the plans down on paper,
you will be surprised how much that alone can help with your Backyard makeover. Think of how to utilise the space in a way that is both functional and
attractive. It is often good to seperate the space into distinct areas that perform a specific function - a deck area or patio
for entertaining, a grassed section for the kids to play in and a shed for keeping the tools in.
You should think about the flow and lines in any backyard design. Use fences, paths and plantings to lead the eye and break
the space down into different areas. Plantings are particularly useful for this as they can be sculpted into any shape and the height can be controlled as well. Low planted areas are excellent for defining pathways whilst higher shrubs and small
trees are beneficial when you want to seperate parts of the yard or conceal a shed or garage.
Keep safety in mind right from the beginning. If you have kids then particular attention must be paid to areas of decking
that they could fall off or water features that could pose a risk if fallen into. Take into account also the aspect of the
house and which parts will be in shade at various times of the day (a BBQ area is not so nice if it is constantly in dark
shade). Other things that should be considered are Backyard makeover and the soil and climate of your
region. These will have a bearing on the overall design and types of planting that will work for your circumstances.
Garden ornaments and pots are a good way of making a focal point and almost anything can be used with a bit of imagination.
Even an old chair or broken barrel can be used and worked into a feature. Stones work really well as a filler in areas where
you need low maintenance but must look good. There are no real rules as to what works, it just has to bring you joy and be
a pleasurable environment which is all part of what makes a house your home.
See our Resource Articles
Creating Your Own Backyard Paradise
Landscaping Tips for a 2 Day Gardening Project
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