Having an outdoor area you can call yours is a blessing. For one, not everyone has one, and two, it makes both the experience and property value of your home higher. If you already have an outdoor space but it’s not well-kept, consider renovating it- the value increase will be very much worth it. Below are some reasons you should renovate your yard, and some ideas on what to do with it.
A Space to Play.
Kids need a family-friendly space to jump and run around in. They have boundless energy, and they need a productive way to use all that. You can put a small playground, a trampoline, a sandbox, whatever gets them moving will help. Perhaps this might encourage your kids to get off the smartphone every now and then.
Shaking off the Cabin Fever.
Whenever we’re stuck at home for too long, we begin to feel sick and have the intense desire to go out. That’s called cabin fever, and having an outdoor space you enjoy being in is one way of preventing that. You can immediately shake off cabin fever by going outside and enjoying the sun and your yard.
Before Anything Else, Let’s Talk Purpose
The best design for your outdoor area is one that’s tailor-made to what you want to use it for. Are you planning to have a garden of your own? Or do you want a space to hold parties and barbecues? These kinds of matters are important as they would affect the design choices. Take, for example, if you’re looking to have an outdoor space for social gatherings, it’s best to have something like patio solar shades or a roof to prevent sunlight from getting in your way.
Or if you’re after a small garden, you want good soil in your yard. Or if it’s for sports purposes, look into improving the flooring. The purpose will always affect the design choices, and it’s best to remember what you want out of it when you’re in the designing and planning process.
Make Use Of Nature:
One of the benefits of spending time outdoors is to enjoy nature. And what better way to do this at home than to integrate it into your home design. Especially in your backyard, utilizing trees can be very useful not only for shading but also as a wind barrier. Think about the existing foliage in your garden and work on either adding or subtracting from it.
For example, if you have a lot of shrubberies like roses and others, you can hire a professional landscaper to design a deck that lets you and your family appreciate the beautiful scene of your garden. On the other hand, if you have a backyard that extends toward a forest or denser foliage, think about a design that can drive attention more to your home.
The Build:
Speaking of driving attention using plants, carefully consider which plants you will choose to put near your deck or patio. This is both for design and function because you wouldn’t want flowers that any of your family members are allergic to, nor would you want to display a shrub that doesn’t elevate the viewing experience. In the same vein, opt for furniture that you and your family will enjoy, both functionally and aesthetically. Be careful not to fall prey to design books and magazines; just because it looks good in pictures does not mean it would automatically be a good choice for your home.
Don’t Forget:
Last but not the least, remember to put elements that will be useful (and needed!) at night. Add a fire pit for those late-night hangouts with friends and family, and include LED lighting on the steps and dim parts as well. Lighting is important for security too, so if you live in woody areas or if you just want to feel more secure, install motion-activated lights in strategic spots. If you want to look out for animals like raccoons, put the sensor lights low and near the ground so you can be alerted better. Also, on a lighter note, you can install a small fountain in your garden to help with the summer heat and to attract birds too.
All in all, making good use of your outdoor space is definitely a good investment both money-wise and for the enrichment of your lives as a family. When designing your outdoor space, think about the experience you want to get from it, your preferences as a family, and the safety of the entire project. This way, planning your renovation or construction can be more put together and efficient.
