Since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve all been spending more time at home. We’ve spent our time catching up on neglected DIY projects, improving home offices, and discovering new hobbies and new anxieties. Now is the time to think forward to what you’d like to improve about your outdoor area in the next spring and summer. Here are 7 outdoor improvements to get you started.
Create a Deck or Patio
Creating a deck or patio will give you a seating area, which is an excellent place to relax in the fresh air once the weather improves. Patios are easier to create, since they are paving stones on the ground, but even a deck can be a personal project for an intrepid DIY guru. In addition, decks greatly increase the value of your home should you decide to sell.
Choose Quality Outdoor Furniture
If you’ve made a deck or patio or already have one, the best thing you can do is choose quality outdoor furniture. Outdoor furniture should be easy to clean, either by being plastic or glass or by having removable cushions. You should also choose pieces you’ll actually use, so don’t waste money on a fancy hanging chair if it isn’t actually all that comfortable.
Create Stone Pathways
One easy way to make a boring lawn have more visual interest is by adding stone pathways. These divide your backyard into areas that can then be used for different purposes – a garden here, a patio there. There are a multitude of designs, so you can be sure that you’ll find a type of stone that fits the style of your backyard.
Don’t Be Afraid to Be Childish Sometimes
If you have kids, there’s no reason to be afraid to create an outdoors area that’s designed for them as well as you. This can be anything from adding a cheap playhouse or tire swing to more complicated improvements. For example, why not get a trampoline from a specialist company (like https://trampolineflight.com/) that can help you find the right size and shape to fit with the overall look of your backyard?
Appealing to kids doesn’t have to be unsightly or dominate the overall look of your outside area. One thing to consider, however, is your children’s’ ages. If you have younger kids or kids who aren’t strong swimmers, an outdoor pool probably won’t be your priority, but you can find plenty of low-cost outdoor playground equipment instead.
Create Shaded Areas
Some outside areas lack trees, making it more difficult to spend time outside in comfort. Adding a pergola, overhang, or even just an outdoors umbrella can help create a distinct area, provide comfort, and give you more privacy in your own yard. More permanent areas, such as pergolas, can even add value to your home.
Light Up Your Yard
If you want to keep enjoying your yard after dark, you have a number of options when it comes to lighting up your yard. Installing ground-level patio lighting or outdoors string lights will allow for you to enjoy your yard after the sun sets and create a beautiful backyard setting. In addition, these improvements are budget-friendly, with many attractive options being under $50 to buy and install.
Add Outdoors Appliances
On the other end of the budget scale, there’s the option of outdoors appliances. While these improvements can be a bit on the pricey side, your enjoyment of the outdoors will more than make up for the price. Grills are, of course, the almost essential patio upgrade, allowing for backyard BBQs and allowing for more comfortable cooking during the height of summer. Other options include outdoor speakers and coolers or fridges for drinks. Another great option is a fire pit, which will allow for roasting marshmallows in the summer and warming evenings in the fall.
With these simple improvements, you’ll be able to enjoy your backyard no matter what the time of year or circumstances.
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