Every backyard has its charm. Most of us purchase our homes with this plot of green in mind, and yet we can find ourselves letting it go to waste. A yard should be more than just some green you look at when you pass a window; you must get some use out of it!
Here are some ways any homeowner can refresh their yard to create a space that they’ll love spending time in.
Create A Shady Oasis for Your Family
Summers are becoming unpredictable, with sudden heat waves that last weeks keeping many of us locked away from the outside world. It shouldn’t be like this! Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather on the consumer scale, but we can adapt to ensure we get to use them outside of our homes regardless of the weather.
A pergola is the perfect mix of beauty and function that any yard could benefit from. Many new pergola design ideas come forward every year, from interesting new shapes to bright colors and fun wood textures. These shady and beautiful designs will ensure you can enjoy going outside regardless of how hot it gets.
Build a Garden That Fights Off Insects
Insects can be a huge issue for some homeowners. We understand that bugs have an important place in the food chain and that without them, we wouldn’t have birds or all of the other beautiful things we enjoy seeing: we wish they weren’t in our yards biting us.
Luckily, there are options besides harmful insecticides! Planting a garden around the idea of keeping bugs at bay is a fantastic way to improve the beauty of your yard while also warding them off.
Many plants that have other uses are perfect for this! Some of them include basil, citronella, and even lavender. For maximum effect, you can plant giant pots of these next to your doors and enjoy the plants while there’s still a ton left to scare away bugs.
Ensure that Your Porch Roof is Well Supported
Our porches are a continuation of whatever room they come off of, which is why it can be scary if you’re not sure if the roof above your porch is well supported. Wood beams can wear out and crack as the house settles, so it’s a good idea to look at them now and then and ensure they’re in good condition.
Porch posts aren’t expensive to replace, and most homeowners can replace them as a simple DIY, but ensure that you fix this issue before it gets out of hand.
Give Yourself Something Beautiful to Look At
Although all of the greenery can be gorgeous, there’s a lot of space for beauty in most yards. Consider adding a visually interesting piece in your yard. This could be art like a sculpture by a local artist in a color you enjoy or even a bubbling water feature.
It’s good to remember not to put in a water feature that will have stagnant water if you’re in an area rampant with mosquitoes. They can use this water for breeding, which will significantly ruin the time you want to spend outside in your yard.
If you go for a sculpture, try to find a local artist so that you can support your community while also getting something gorgeous to look at every time you glance outside. This piece will be a great conversation starter for guests and a fun thing you can mention in conversation outside of your home!
Erase the Line Between Inside and Outside
North Americans are spending more time at home than ever, so why not make the most of it? We usually make strict lines between what’s outside and what’s inside, but what if we changed it up? A large screened opening can give you the peace of mind to know that your home isn’t going to get infested by bugs while also letting in the fresh air and giving you a beautiful view of the outdoors.
You can also help ease the transition between inside and outside by including furniture and tiling that mates whatever room the lawn comes out from. Waterproof lawn furniture can come in nearly any color and will make your property feel like you’ve stepped into another room of your home.
A fantastic way to blur these lines is to include Phantom retractable screens in your home design. These screens allow for the outdoors to feel like an extension of your home, without inviting invasive insects and creatures into your home. These screens allow for families to gather and enjoy a meal together without the constant swatting at flies and mosquitoes that usually comes with a fun outdoor meal.
Your Yard Should Be a Place of Comfort
The most important thing to take away from this is that your lawn shouldn’t simply be a patch of grass you mow every couple of weeks. This space gives you the chance to be outside without having to leave the comfort of your home. Take steps to create a yard that will keep you happy, and enjoy lounging, reading, or playing in your yard again: ensure that you work to keep bugs away for maximum relaxation!
Todd Gillman is the content director for the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.