You spend enough time crafting the perfect interior that reflects your design aesthetic, but what about your home’s exterior? It’s just as worthy of your attention. There’s nothing like enjoying warm weather in an inviting outdoor space that’s full of lush greenery. But if landscaping doesn’t come naturally to you, don’t fret. It’s still possible to get the job done without assistance from a professional crew. All that’s required is a bit of creativity and attention to detail.
Choose the right stone for outdoor landscaping
Though it can be a pricey option, Bluestone has a dense composition that makes it incredibly durable. Despite its name, the versatile stone comes in a variety of colors such as blue, brown, gray, and orange. It's a natural stone and it feels great when you're walking around barefoot, which I love to do all summer long. For a less expensive option, consider crushed stone such as pea stone or white stone.
Build a strong foundation
Establish a solid base for stone surfaces to avoid fix-ups later. If you are planning a stone patio, lay a six- to eight-inch layer of compacted pea stones first. It will prevent weeds and keep your patio level. If you have a good base, it ends up being low-maintenance for decades to come. You won't have to be weeding things, pulling up stones, and re-leveling them.
Plant climate-specific grass
If you're not ready to nix grass completely, consider which grasses naturally grow in your region. If you plant a grass that is accustomed to your climate, that makes it low maintenance. You can research which grass grows best in your area, and in turn, save money on watering, fertilizing, and other maintenance. For instance: In the Northeast—where the couple lives in their Cape Cod home—fescue and ryegrass grow well. Alternatively, in the Southeast, Bermuda grass is a better option.
Keep plants vertical, not horizontal
Horizontal space is at a premium in many of the best small backyard ideas. That's why it's good to look for shrubs and trees that max out interest as they grow up, not out. Try dwarf varieties for a small backyard, as well as more columnar evergreens. Bonus—they boost wintertime interest, too.
Give Your Space Function
One of the ways make a space look cohesive is by defining its function. Start by thinking about the ways in which you’d ideally like to use your exterior. Maybe a large dining table is key for al fresco summer dining. Perhaps you’d prefer a plush seating area that’s perfect for relaxation or even a fire pit. Depending on how much space is available, you can consider sticking with one main function or breaking your yard up into a few distinct areas.
Outdoor bar
Backyard bars are also among the most popular trends for backyard designs, and for good reason. That’s mostly because they are a great property-value enhancing investment and allow for hosts to entertain guests outdoors as much as possible. If you’re lucky enough to have ample space outdoors, this is one of the most beneficial backyard design ideas to consider for your home. And with so many different bar designs to consider, there are tons of design directions to help you evoke a custom feel. You can have a custom-made L-shaped bar complete with bar stools and wine cabinet, or something more modern outfitted with innovative appliances. The extra counter space and additional seating will make entertaining friends all the more comfortable. If you feel that you want to decorate your outdoor bar or a kitchen, choose De Wolfe 3D wall panels and decorate the bar or the kitchen wall. De Wolfe 3D wall panels are waterproof, fire and shock resistant, plus they are not afraid of temperature nor climate changes. It looks good, doesn’t it?
Kids corner
If your kids have been bugging you for a playroom yet you don’t have an extra room indoors for this, why not consider converting your backyard into a play area? This is clever a great way to encourage your kids to spend more time outdoors. For these back yard ideas, install a modern playground set, complete with a swing, slide, etc. There are plenty of affordable playground sets that you can source as this might be a fleeting investment. You can also choose to have custom-made playground equipment installed in your backyard.
Water features
Adding water features to your backyard is one of those backyard ideas that everyone will be sure to enjoy for years to come. A gorgeous fountain can help you create a Zen-like effect in your backyard. Plus, the soothing sound of water can make staying in your backyard even more relaxing. Aside from a water fountain, another great idea is to build a small pond to create a visual contrast alongside your plants. Birdbaths are also a great focal point while providing shelter to visiting birds.
Patio with pergola
If you want to frolic under the sun but with a little bit of shade, installing a patio with a pergola can make for great backyard design ideas. There are pergola kits that come with pre-cut lumber, which is ideal for DIY installation. However, if you want a more sophisticated design for your pergola, our designers suggest hiring a professional who can custom build a patio with a pergola for your backyard. Of course, make sure you include outdoor furniture to go in your patio, too.
Pick the right barbecue
For a low-maintenance outdoor cooking space, invest in appliances that last. If you want something that's going to stand the test of time, go with a built-in barbecue area with stone veneer on the front. A sturdy granite countertop is also a long-lasting feature, and it's ideal for withstanding varying weather conditions.