Having a backyard is a dream come true for many people around the world. There are so many things you can enjoy and do when having a piece of land adjacent to your home. However, it’s not enough to just have the backyard: we need to make it functional, practical and aesthetically pleasing so we could enjoy it with all our senses. First of all, you should think about your own needs – what do you want from your yard? Based on the answer, you can start planning further actions. The first thing on the to-do list should be getting rid of clutter. After that, you can think about how to make good use out of it. For example, if you plan on taking up gardening or farming, you can think in that direction. To be able to reap all the benefits of a backyard, you should think about planting trees, shrubs and flowers to create some green balance. Next, it would be good to divide your backyard into designated areas and provide comfy seating. Also, adding a water feature can kick the look of your yard up a notch. And of course, we mustn’t forget about the lighting. These are all outdoor features that will add value to your house.
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Clear out the clutter
Start with the clutter and get rid of anything you don’t need or doesn’t belong there. Prune the trees and shrubs to make them more appealing. Donate any toys your kids have overgrown or if they still use them, make a specific place for them. Store anything that you can in a designated area for it. It will make your yard more organized instantly. In this way, you will be able to see more clearly what you need to do with your yard for optimal design.
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Make good use out of your backyard
A yard can be a place where you unwind after a long, hard day at work. A place where you can chill and enjoy the sounds, views as well as smells of nature. Besides all these things, we can also make good use out of our backyard. For example, if you enjoy gardening and it relaxes you, you could plant yourself a small garden to take care of it. Another popular thing these days is hydroponic farming, which enables you to grow your fruits and veggies. The latter one is a more serious hobby that brings fresh and chemically untreated food to the table.
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Plant some greenery, trees and flowers
Whatever the purpose of your yard is, it’s always good to be surrounded by greenery, trees and flowers. They have multiple functions. They make any area more beautiful, purify the air, and evoke sounds of nature, such as buzzing and chirping. Plus, they can also be useful if you plant some fragrant herbs which you can use fresh in your kitchen.
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Create designated areas
That is an important aspect to consider as by creating designated areas for different activities, we create an illusion of a bigger space, even when that’s not the case. Set entertainment and cooking zones, a reading nook, play areas, garden area, etc. To visually create different zones, you could use various flooring for each area. You can mix grass, stones, or patio flooring.
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Add comfy seating
It is one thing you should have in your yard: comfy seating and the options are countless. You can go for a sofa and armchairs seating set, lounge chairs, nest chairs and all kinds of chairs and loungers, which enable you to stretch out and relax in the sun or shade, by the pool, or on a deck. The comfier your outdoor furniture is, the more time you are likely to spend outside, in your yard. Think about adding a hammock – that would be a serious level up for your relaxation mode.
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Consider adding a water feature
Having a water feature might be considered a luxury, but it doesn’t have to be. People are crazy about these as they bring about peace and serenity with their soothing sounds. Some would even say that it has restorative effects. The perfect water feature is a swimming pool, which can cool you off and provide a spot for exercise in your own home. However, if this is not an option, there are other plausible water features as well. The smaller and more affordable, but also effective water features include a garden or koi pond, a fountain, or a birdbath.
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Upgrade lighting
Lighting is an essential aspect of our outdoor area in the same way it is for the indoor area. The right outdoor lighting can transform your yard and make it look cozier, relaxing and more romantic. You can go for ground lights and string lights as some of the most popular options.
Having a yard is a blessing, and we should try to make the best use out of it for us to enjoy it to the full with our loved ones.
Author bio:
Alison Pearson is an interior design student. She is a writer and designer, but her ultimate passion is design and creation. She is also a bibliophile and her favourite book is “The Sound and the Fury” by William Faulkner. Follow her on Twitter.