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Design Tips to Improve Your Backyard

Ready to create the next best backyard getaway? You’re just steps away, literally, right out the back door. Ready? Set. Let’s go!

Here’s some helpful tips to creating you’re own backyard haven, a place every neighbor can’t quit talking about and others only dream about.

1. Spice up the deck! This should leave an impression, after all, it’s usually where you spend most of your time. Dress it up by adding different levels, activity spaces for different things such as socializing with friends or relaxing with your favorite book. Don’t forget the greenery, an abundance of greenery can tie in the surrounding garden and provide a fresh appeal. A pergola lined with thin drapes, some dimmed lighting and finish with relaxing furniture even your kids can’t resist.

2. Outdoor kitchen and grilling! Do you grill often, at least once a week? Do you love the outdoors from Spring to Fall? Then you need a kitchen. You don’t need anything fancy, just a place to cook, counter space to prepare and perhaps some storage space for much needed supplies.

3. Make it private. Your backyard can feel more like an oasis with a little bit of added love here. A fenced in yard or garden walls can give the feel of privacy for patios, but lattice, pergola and landscaping can really seal the deal here and keep your neighbors out of view.

4. Create some shade. Even the most avid sun seekers long for a retreat in the shade once in a while. This can easily be achieved with a few mature trees, umbrellas, awnings or even pergolas. Vines ad a nice finishing touch for some added greenery in your shady spaces.

5. Add your must-haves. Dreaming of a spa, hot tub or fire-pit? Nothing beats that end of day soak or ads luxury to your back yard oasis like a spa or hot tub. Remember you’ll want privacy so consider locations of the yard that offer the most, perhaps closer to the home, and do you want sunshine or shade? Adding a fire-pit in the center of the yard can add some late evening appeal and welcome some fun summer adventures relaxing by a fire or roasting ‘mallows with your kids. Mmmm, we love the smell of campfire.

6. Lighting highlights. Keep the getaway going even after the sun sets! Even at it’s most basic, porch lights and ambient lights can illuminate access to the house while your outdoor kitchen may require better lighting over the grill and work areas. Other more relaxing spaces such as your dining or deck can be lit by simple candlelight, wall mount down lights or dimmable electric lights to provide for more of a moody light. Also consider solar power accent lights, also great for illuminating walkways, adding drama and interest, or our favorite, LED string lights under the pergola and shaded day areas.

7. Bring on the accessories. Adding the finishing touches can really draw all of the backyard escape together, adding a little weather proof art, or pillows covered in weather proof fabrics. These turn an otherwise ordinary patio or deck in to an extraordinary space for welcoming family and friends to your outdoor living oasis.