As any real estate agent will tell you, your property’s appearance is vital for attracting potential buyers. But even if you are not in the market to sell, improve your yard for the enjoyment of yourself, family, and friends. There are many ways to enhance your property and exhibit your pride of home ownership.
The backyard is that part of the house that may not be visible to everyone so easily. It is often considered an insignificant part but it is actually very significant indeed, because that is where you observe your leisure and do some other things you wouldn’t do elsewhere. It is therefore important to ensure that your backyard is in good shape from time to time.
Here are a few suggestions on how to improve and transform your backyard.
Clean It Up
It is vital to maintain the appearance of your yard before you think about how to improve your backyard. Do not allow the grass to become overgrown, become filled with weeds, turn yellow, and appear unkempt. If you have any trees that need attention, tend to them. If there are hanging limbs that make cutting the lawn difficult, have them trimmed. If you have a tree that is sick and needs professional attention, call an emergency tree service.
Ensure that all trash and debris are removed from the yard. Not only is it unsightly, but it is something that could cause problems with any neighbor that can see it from their home. If the problem is bad enough, it could cause rodent infestation, which could eventually invade the home if not handled.
Construct an Outdoor Kitchen
Outdoor kitchens have become very popular, and that makes them a wonderful choice when you’re deciding how to improve your backyard. Beautiful stainless steel grills, sinks, and refrigerators on the patio or deck are a great way to entertain. Treat your friends to a pizza and pasta meal in your backyard. They will think they are tasting the delight of real Italian catering! And don’t forget the vino!
Suppose you are in the process of building a new home, as long as there will contractors, such as one for an air conditioning installation or a new construction plumbing contractor on the property, have your backyard plumbed for the beautiful outdoor kitchen of your dreams. Typically, a home will have outdoor water spigots plumbed on the exterior of the home for watering. Have them add plumbing for your outdoor kitchen.
Build a Deck
If your deck has exterior lighting, make sure it is in good repair and casts enough light. Call an electrician if you need outdoor lighting repairs to ensure your family’s safety and be able to see your dog when he has been let out at night.
Suppose you are building a new home or want to make improvements to your existing residence. In that case, another way how to improve your backyard is with accent lighting around your patio, a flower garden, a fountain, or any space that is worthy of being viewed.
Add a Sunroom
If you want to add instant value to your home, try adding a four-season porch or a sunroom. Once you have gotten your yard to look as you want it to, enjoy viewing it from the windows of your new sunroom or porch.
Builders will have various subcontractors they hire to complete the addition to your home. For example, if needed, a contractors roof service and residential siding repair service will be called upon to ensure that the exterior, including the roof and siding, matches perfectly the roof and siding your home currently has.
Another amenity to consider when contemplating a sunroom or a four-season porch is a fireplace. If you live in a northern climate, this will enable you to enjoy your room during the cold months of the year. While again adding value to your home.
Consider a Fence for Added Privacy
Do you have small children or dogs? Then consider a fence installation when you’re thinking of how to improve your backyard. A privacy fence is preferred if you have dogs. They will not bark at the neighbors, other dogs or jump the fence if your dog is a large one.
If you have a play area for children, such as a sandbox, or a playground structure, you can allow your children to play outdoors safely as they will not be visible to anyone but you.
If you have a vegetable garden, it will be safe from any critters who may decide to eat their meals from the abundance of veggies they will find growing there. Rabbits can easily fit through a chain-link fence, and they love garden produce.
A fence will also deter anyone who may decide a take a shortcut across your property. While a young person could jump a chain-link fence, a privacy fence will ensure that does not happen.
Swap Out your Front Door
A beautiful door, either in the front or rear of your home, is very welcoming. Arrange for an entry door installation if your current door is worn out, has peeling paint, or just plain unsightly.
There are a wide variety of front doors, patio doors, screen doors, or rear entry doors on display at your local home improvement store. There is a door for every purpose and one to accommodate every budget. Some are extremely lavish with beautiful glass carvings, sidelight windows, and just right for your new front door. This is another item that a visitor to your home or a potential buyer will notice, so it is worth the investment when you’re thinking of how to improve your backyard.
Set up a Security System
When considering a new entry door installation, also think about a security system. Rather than hiring a security company, have a home monitoring security system installed in your home. There are many different types of systems available.
- An electric current alarm system
- A wired alarm system
- A wireless home alarm system
- An unmonitored home alarm system
- A monitored home alarm system
They all can protect your home and come in many different price ranges. Some will work with Smartphones and have more perks than others. This is another amenity that will pay for itself in the long run.
Spray for Pests
It follows that if you have a lush yard, you will have pests. Bees love flowers, mosquitos love water and damp spaces, so if you need to water your garden or if you have a fountain, you will have flying pests wanting to invade your yard. Contact a pest control company to keep their annoyance at a minimum.
It is delightful at the end of a long day to sit on your patio or deck enjoying the beverage of your choice without the bother of insects buzzing around your head. Don’t let them ruin the enjoyment that is to be had by just lounging on your deck or patio. Let a pest control company deal with them while you’re thinking of other ways how to improve your backyard.
Add a Garden Spot
Do you have a green thumb? Do you love flowers? If you have the space for it in the backyard, show off your gardening abilities with a vegetable garden or a lovely flower garden.
You can start small. Perhaps begin with a pot garden. You can grow many types of vegetables this way, and once you have tasted homegrown tomatoes, onions, peppers, or beans, you will be hooked. It will be easy then to transition into a bigger garden space in the backyard. You can also use pot gardening to grow your herbs. Great for growing the basil and oregano, you will need to entertain family and friends with that delicious Italian meal on your beautiful deck or patio.
Add a Swimming Pool
If you want to make your kids and the neighbor kids happy, install a swimming pool. This is a large ticket item, but depending on where you live in the country, it can add thousands of dollars to the value of your home. It is not uncommon in certain states, such as California or Florida, to see most properties on the block with a swimming pool.
However, in other states, such as Minnesota or Maine, you will not see as many. That does not mean they aren’t there. They are just not as plentiful as they are in warmer climates.
But some families will not purchase a home without a swimming pool. It is excellent for fitness and fun and another amenity that will enhance your property’s value and appearance.
Add a Storage Shed
Why clutter up your garage or your backyard with all the things you need to keep your yard looking beautiful? A lawnmower, rakes, shovels, fertilizer spreader, hoses, sprinklers all need a place to be stored when not in use. Especially if you have a two-car garage, it is not easy to store these items.
It is not a costly addition to your property, but when you’re thinking of how to improve your backyard, this is an option that any potential future home buyer will appreciate. Paint it the same color as the house, and it will not look out of place.
Add a Water Feature
The addition of a beautiful fountain or pond in the backyard will also enhance the beauty of your property. If you live in a warmer climate and want a pond, you can add a koi pond to enjoy (if you don’t have a pet!). And a fountain makes for a striking vision when looking out at the backyard from inside your home.
If you decide on a fountain, it will require a water line to be run to it. Perhaps this is something the plumber can do while plumbing your backyard for the kitchen’s outdoor sink.
Fountains, like swimming pools, come in many different sizes, shapes, materials, and costs. If you want your backyard to resemble a park or a sanctuary of some type, add the fountain or pond for a glorious serene look that will make you never want to leave it.
Add a Sprinkler System
If you are an individual that is busy with your career and life and don’t want to take the time to water your lawn to keep it as lush and beautiful as you would like, add a sprinkler system. They cost a few dollars but will save you time and money in the long run.
It can be set to water at any time of the day you prefer, although early in the morning is the best. You will not need to remember to put the sprinkler out, to turn the water off after a certain amount of time, or if it begins to rain, which makes this a great option when you’re thinking of how to improve your backyard. If you live in the northern climate, where it gets cold, the water line will need to be drained before the frost sets in to avoid the water lines’ freezing.
Many upscale properties use a sprinkler system to ensure the continuous beauty of their property. It will pay for itself over time, and you will be glad you have it.
Hire a Lawn Service
If you don’t enjoy yard work but still want to have a yard for the kids and dog, hire someone to keep it looking beautiful for you is one great way how to improve your backyard. A lawn service can provide you with as many services or as few services as you desire. If lawn cutting is all you want, they can do that for you. If you prefer more services, that can be an option also.
They will fertilize your lawn, eliminate leaves, ensure you have no weeds, and do whatever else is necessary to keep your property the envy of the neighborhood. A lawn service company is available almost everywhere at almost any cost you want to pay. And you won’t have to lift a finger to have that beautiful yard you desire.
Plant More Trees
One way to improve the look of your backyard and your entire property is to plant more trees. It is also good for the environment. While it may be true that trees take a long time to grow, knowing you are investing in your property’s beauty and in the enjoyment of whoever may own your property at a later time should make this an easy backyard improvement to make.
Keep your property, front yard, and backyard looking beautiful. It shows your pride of ownership and will give your neighbors something to aspire to!
