Backyards are high-maintenance – there’s a whole lot of work to be done after you’ve got one. It is essential that you approach this as a DIY project, both in financial and personal terms (arranging the entire space will give it a personal touch). If you’ve decided that your outdoor space needs upgrading, here are some tips that will help you achieve the perfect backyard that you deserve.
Shade
What good is having a backyard if you can’t spend quality time out there because it’s just so damn sunny? Well, that’s what the shade is for, and if you don’t have enough of it in your backyard, you should start your makeover right here. Fast-growing trees, such as poplars, soft-wooded maples and willows provide a natural shade that beats your basic patio umbrella any day of the week. Plant them carefully, though, you don’t want your outdoor space looking unseemly, once the plants have grown.
Invest in your greenery
Sure, grass is an unavoidable part of a garden, but if you aren’t too keen on muttering while mowing your lawn, you should swap the lawn for plants that will give back. Homegrown foods are extremely popular nowadays and look wonderful – start with small patches and work your way up to larger areas; you can even turn it into a side business! This is especially convenient for gardens that don’t have too much grass to dig in the first place – use containers and vertical spaces to spruce up your garden.
Fill the balding lawn spots
Dead patches of grass can make your backyard look downright horrible. With spring on the doorstep, the timing is perfect for dedicating yourself to taking care of this issue. Cut out the dead grass patches, aerate them and sprinkle new grass seeds or apply turf. Come springtime, you’ll have a lush, green lawn to enjoy.
Add a water element
A pond or a fountain can go a long way in making your backyard look more alive. Fortunately, there are easy (and cheap) ways to achieve this. For example, the majority of water elements require nothing but a liner, an electrical source and a pump, and you can take care of all of this on your own! Regardless of what vibe you opt for, a water feature will evoke relaxation and stress relief in your outdoor space.
Add some privacy
You can’t really call your outdoor space an “oasis” if there isn’t at least some form of privacy, and you do want to be able to call it an “oasis”, don’t you? A natural privacy fence can give you the greatly craved (and deserved) privacy, without being as blunt as raising a wall between you and your neighbors. The natural fences also keep the wildlife pests out of your yard.
Making the use of too much space
Now, most of us don’t have the privilege of having a huge yard, but some people actually want less work, and more utilized space. Adding an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to your outdoor space can go a long way in making your backyard less high-maintenance and is an awesome way to utilize it. Professional and experienced granny flat builders can help you add a comfortable granny flat that you can easily turn into a guest room, or even into rent space. This can be a fantastic return on your investment.
These six tips will turn your backyard into a relaxing, useful and even profitable outdoor space. Provide it with quality shade, swap the tedious grass with lively greenery, fill in the bald spots, consider adding a water element, use natural fences for privacy and find a way to make the most use out of the space you have at hand.