How to create an enjoyable outdoor space
With warmer days on the horizon many people are looking forward to spending time outside. one of the best places to spend time outside is the back yard, whether it be grilling on the barbecue, staying cool in the pool, or simply soaking up the sun. Having a nice outdoor space on your property can greatly enhance your home experience, along with boosting its curb appeal and value.
A nice outdoor space can come in many shapes and sizes. For some this may be lots of lush green grass, for others it could be a large deck, some may opt for a pool and stone work, sports enthusiasts may even desire a putting green or sport court. Simply put, the possibilities for your space can be endless. With all these options it can certainly feel overwhelming, this collection of Landscape designs is something that can be used to help as it can provide options and help narrow your choices down to find a design you love. As with any home project, cost and budget will likely play a large part in your decision. Just as there are limitless options available for your design, the same can be said for budget.
The nice thing about landscaping projects is that they can be DIY friendly, and you can break your project up into stages to make it much more manageable and easier to take on, even for those that are busy. Sometimes small changes or additions can make all the difference. For example adding new plants to an existing garden can breathe new life into a backyard, especially by choosing colourful flowers and plants. The aesthetics are just one part in a well thought space, other factors like maintenance, function and life span are all important. Consider the choice between a large lawn versus a stone landscape. To keep the lawn in even a relatively nice condition takes regular mowing, watering, and some degree of seeding/fertilizer. A space consisting primarily of concrete/pavers will take much less maintenance in comparison, this could be a wash or cleaning a few times a season, much easier and less time consuming than a lawn. These two space will also have a much different cost and life span.
Many homes, at least in Canada will already have some sort of lawn, meaning enhancing it could be as simple as a little elbow grease. On the other hand a concrete or paver design will often be much more costly given the material and possible installation costs. Some stone work can be very DIY friendly, while others not so much, and utilizing a professional can come with many benefits. Aside from the actual installation of the products, an experienced professional will have experience on how different choices perform and what the end result will look like. Professionals will typically have machinery that the average person will not. This will allow for faster completion as these machines can work much faster than shovels, which is important to consider if the timeline is of concern to you.
Another part of the project that many DIYers overlook is how your space functions in combination with your home. Does your design direct water away from your house or allow it to pool? This could lead to rot and leaks down the line. Do plants overhang your house or driveway? This could increase the need for cleanings as debris can build up on your roof and cars, potentially leaving stains if not treated. This is why the first step in any design should a well thought out plan. Landscape designs can help with this as it can help with your planning as well as visualization of the space.
Whatever design you decide on make sure you do it right so that the space can provide enjoyment for years to come. To learn more about how landscaping can affect the value of your home, and what can provide the best return on investment stay tuned as we cover this in a future blog.