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  • Backyard Home Improvement: Ideas for Every Budget

    Backyard Home Improvement: Ideas for Every Budget

    Are you looking to make improvements to the exterior of your home?

    We all know that we are spending so much more time at home these days so why not give your home a little refresh. Whether your budget is large or small, there are many things that you can do to make a huge impact on your homes curb appeal. Not only will these updates bring you satisfaction and a sense of pride, they might also bring you more money when it is time to sell. Here are a few ideas that our team has put together for you!

    Landscaping:

    You can make a huge impact with a few small updates.
    1. Assess your current landscaping. You can clean up your existing landscaping with just a little work and almost no cost. Trim hedges, clear out debris and mow the lawn. Fix up your fence by patching and mending any holes or broken boards and add a coat of stain or paint. You will notice an immediate impact.

    2. Add new plants to your yard. You can add annuals for a pop of color and shrubs for greenery.

    3. Plant some trees. If you’re looking to create privacy or are in need of shade, certain trees will naturally provide this effect. You can create a beautiful outdoor oasis right in your own backyard. Find out which trees are native to your area and will grow to last in your climate.

    4. Synthetic Lawn: Are you having a hard time maintaining your lawn? Have you ever thought of installing a synthetic lawn? This isn’t your grandmother’s old astro turf or mini golf greenery. Synthetic lawns have come a long way since then. There are many sophisticated options now that require little to no maintenance. There are even options to help eliminate pet odors outdoors.

    Creating Outdoor Rooms:

    You can transform your yard into an area that you will use more often. You can have lounge seating to rest, relax and read outdoors. There are couches, chaise lounges, sectionals, love seats, swivel chairs and more. The options are endless. Checkout this link from IKEA for more ideas for every budget.

    How about adding an outdoor dining area and bring your entertaining outside. Create a unique space that works for your needs. There are options from an intimate table for two to an expandable table for 12. Eating outside isn’t just for daytime BBQs, dining under the stars can be a fun alternative to eating in front of the TV.

    Incorporate outdoor curtains into your design. This will really help define your outdoor space. These curtains are weather resistant and can easily be removed for inclement weather. Look for curtains that are easy to wash and that are specifically made for outdoor use. Here’s a great link from Pottery Barn for reference.

    Hang outdoor lights. Everyone knows a good set of patio lights will go a long way with upgrading your outdoor space. Not only do the patio lights add much needed lighting at night, they also make your space feel more fun and complete.

    Create an outdoor movie theater. With many movie theaters being closed these days, creating an outdoor movie space in your backyard is a great alternative. There are many portable, inexpensive options for the projector and the screen. There are blow-up screens, canvas screens or you could even use a white sheet. If you have a blank wall or side of your house, you can even project movies directly on the wall.

    Add a water feature. Whether you live near a busy road, have noisy neighbors or are just calmed by the sound of running water, an outdoor fountain or water feature is a great addition to any backyard. Not only does a water feature help mute out unwanted noises, it also serves as a special place for the birds to get a drink or take a dip.

    Hardscaping:

    1. Install a built in BBQ. If you don’t want to hire someone to build an outdoor kitchen, you can find ready-made and customizable outdoor kitchen sets. Think about the things you will want to use the most while cooking outdoors: inset BBQ, counter space, ice chest or mini fridge and a sink if possible. Check out this link from Home Depot for more ideas.

    2. Add a firepit. Whether you want to have a firepit for extra warmth or just for roasting marshmallows outside with the family, this is one feature that will add a lot of flare to your outdoor space. There are many different options when choosing a fire pit. Do you want it to be wood burning or fueled by gas? If gas, do you want to use a propane tank or do you have a gas line that you can connect to? Adding an outdoor fire feature is a fun way to spruce up your yard and creates a fun gather spot for family and friends. Here are a few examples from Wayfair to review.

    3. Build a deck: If you enjoy spending time outdoors, building a deck can really enhance your outdoor space. You can build a deck with wooden slats to expand your outdoor living area which can improve your indoor/outdoor flow.

    4. Install a backyard patio. A patio space can help define your backyard and can make outdoor gatherings more enjoyable. Concrete paver patios can spruce up the look of your yard and can add value to your home.

    5. Build a pergola. A pergola can be a focal point for your yard. It can also add functionality to your outdoor space. A pergola not only provides shade, it also creates an outdoor room.

    Update the Exterior of Your House:

    1. Paint your house. Painting your house is akin to giving your home a major facelift. You might be amazed at how good your house will look with a new coat of paint. Many experts say that you should paint your house every 5-10 years. This is of course dependent on the exterior material of your house, your climate and the quality of your previous paint job. So when was the last time your house was painted?

    2. Wash your windows. I know most people joke, “I don’t do windows”, but maybe you should. Whether you hire a professional or take on this job yourself, washing your windows can make your home shine and look a few years newer.

    3. Replace the garage door. A new garage door can update the curb appeal of your home. Plus, newer garage doors usually have quitter motors and are safer for your home. A new garage door could also help with insulation issues in extreme climates. Replacing your garage door will help you make a great first impression.

    4. Replace your front door. Your front door is typically one of the first things people see when they get to your home. Many of the newer front doors have extra safety precautions built in. This could help with everything from break-ins to fire safety all while adding style. Paint your new front door a fun color for some extra pizazz.

    5. Update your outdoor lighting. New outdoor sconces can add instant curb appeal. Not only will new sconces update the look of your home, the lighting can also add as extra security. You can set you your lights to come on with a timer and can even program the lights to come on when you are not at home. Lumens has great options to check out.

    Make your plans now! Spring is right around the corner and a new outdoor space will provide lasting enjoyment and a potential increase in the value of your property.


  • Ways to Make Your Back Porch Fun This Summer

    Ways to Make Your Back Porch Fun This Summer

    When Summer rolls in, it’s time to have some people over to the back yard to enjoy the nice weather. Between pool parties, cook outs and just taking it easy and having a few drinks, you want your back porch to be a really popping place. Thankfully, we’ve got tons of tips on how to do just that. Let’s look at how you can make your back porch the best summer fun destination in town.

    Making Your Back Porch Fun

    Concrete Patio

    If you’re in need of a new porch to make your backyard parties that much better, consider getting a concrete patio paved in. These are great for a number of reasons. For one, they don’t require the same maintenance and upkeep as wooden porches. For another thing, they’re much more durable and will add a lot to the value of your home.

    On the flip side, the process of installing a concrete patio can be expensive, as well as time-consuming. That said, the end result is a great patio that will make your backyard more attractive and an even better destination for your friends to come visit.

    Patio Covering

    Consider getting your porch or patio covered and screened-in. While this might seem like an expensive ordeal, it’s a great option if you live somewhere with plentiful bugs and intense sunlight. A covered patio is more comfortable to spend the afternoon reclining in, and allows your guests to avoid the bugs and the hot sun.

    You can also install a large outdoor ceiling fan on a patio enclosure if you run power to it and make it sturdy enough. This makes your patio even more welcoming and comfortable. We recommend leaving an un-covered portion of your back patio, however, so you can grill out without having to be in the grass or far from your guests.

    Outdoor Furniture

    Finding the right outdoor furniture is important, but it gets much easier if you’ve got a patio covering. Often, you’ve got to compromise comfort for durability, when the furniture is going to be exposed to the elements. However, if your patio is covered, you can opt for more comfortable, if somewhat less durable, outdoor furniture.

    A nice swing, a cushioned bench, a glass-top table: these all make great, tasteful choices for your outdoor furniture. Another nice touch is a large outdoor rug to make the concrete floor of your patio feel more welcoming, especially to those in bare feet!

    Picking a Theme

    When you’re picking out colors and furniture, make sure you’ve got a theme you’re going with. If most of your outdoor patio has exposed wood grain and looks rustic, maybe a soft, modern-looking center table isn’t the best idea? Pick out a thematic through-line you’d like your patio to have, much the same way you do when decorating the rooms inside your home.

    Consider your outdoor patio essentially an extension of the rooms of your home. Just because it’s outside doesn’t mean it can’t look as great and put-together as the rest of your home! While considering this, you can also hang some wall art on the exterior wall facing your patio in order to make it feel more like a simple extension of your home, not an exterior afterthought.

    Conversations First

    Make sure you arrange your outdoor furniture in a way that is most conductive to hosting guests. And what do you do with guests? You have conversations! Set up your seating around a centerpiece, like a fire pit or nice center table, and make sure that everyone has a good view of everyone else. This helps the space convey its purpose: hosting your friends and enjoying the outdoors while still enjoying the comforts of your home.