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When you purchase a house, you tend to envisage all the amazing things you are going to do with the rooms inside. You picture doing up the kitchen, ripping out and installing a new bathroom, and how you are going to decorate your bedroom. Yet one area of the home that tends to get neglected and left until last is the backyard. Many forget what a beautiful space this can be with a little bit of TLC and it’s important to invest your time in making this a place you want to be. Whether you have a large space or a smaller patch of land, you can still transform it from a useless bit of grass to somewhere you spend your summer days relaxing in, or your winter evenings snuggled under a blanket with a heater enjoying the peace and quiet. Here we take a look at some top ways that you can turn your backyard into an oasis.
Things to think about before doing up your backyard
Prior to doing up your backyard, there are some things you should take into consideration to ensure you get the most out of the renovation and that it ends up looking like you want it to.
Have a budget in mind
The first thing you need to think about when doing up your backyard is the budget you have to spend. Doing up your outside space can cost anything from a few hundred to a few thousands depending on what you have done, the furniture and plants you opt for and whether you DIY or get a professional in to help you out. By having a cost in mind that you want to spend it can help you not to go too overboard and skint yourself out.
Think about what you want from the space
Turning your backyard into an oasis is a subjective thing to do and what you picture as a relaxing space might differ greatly from what your partner or other people you live with are thinking. Have a discussion ahead of time, put some mood boards together and do some research. By going in with a clear goal in mind, you are much more likely to get the outcome you’re after, rather than being disappointed. Think about the features you want, the vibe you are going for and what you want to use the space for.
Consider the climate of where you live
If you live somewhere where it is hot all year round, such as Arizona, then you need to take this into consideration. Think about the types of plants you want that can survive these sorts of heat waves and whether you will have enough shade to avoid sunburn. Will you want to add a pool? And if so, how big do you want it, what shape do you like and are there any other things you want? If you live somewhere with more turbulent weather conditions, find plants that can survive all year round or that deal well with both the heat and the cold.
Think about whether you’re doing it for yourself or to sell the home
If you are looking at your home as more of an investment property than somewhere you envision yourself living for years to come, you might view the backyard project a bit differently than if you were staying. When taking this into account, if you are looking to sell your home, you want to do your backyard up in a way that is neutral and not too controversial. You want it to be a space that you can enjoy, but also that will appeal to potential buyers of the home, so nothing too dramatic will likely go down best.
Decide whether you want to do it yourself or have a professional come in
Deciding whether or not to do your backyard yourself or have a professional is a totally personal choice. If you need something big like tree removal, it can be a good idea to get a professional in, but for more cosmetic changes you might choose to do it. You could also do a mix of the two – it’s completely up to you. Hiring a professional might be more expensive but could yield better results. You could have an expert design your space, then you do the work yourself, it’s worth doing the research and thinking of what you would prefer.
How to turn your backyard into an oasis
Think about separating your backyard into separate areas
If you are lucky enough to have a fair amount of space in your backyard, when turning it into an oasis you want to separate it into areas. You can have a dedicated seating space with relaxing outdoor sofas, where you can sip co*cktails and enjoy as the evening passes by. You might consider having a swimming pool area, a hot tub and an area for plants to grow. These spaces can be separated by lights, pathways, fences or plants. Don’t be afraid to get creative with it!
Invest in lighting
Lighting can have a real impact in your backyard and the way it looks and feels. You want to be able to use your space all around the year, not just when the summer nights are long, so lighting is important for this. It’s a good idea to invest in solar lights as these are better for the environment and don’t need to be wired into the mains so there are less wires to potentially trip over. You could also opt for fairy lights to entwine in trees or drape over your fences, lanterns or larger lights depending on the size and layout of your space
Choose a style or theme for the space
You might want to think of a style or theme for your outside space. This makes it easier to know what to design it around and can give you a vision to aim for. It will also help to tie the look together once it’s complete. There are many themes you can go for, from countryside rustic, to modern and eclectic, to Japanese zen. Look at ideas that other people have done and think of what encapsulates your vibe and what you’re after the most. This should help you to decide what you want.
Add a BBQ or outdoor kitchen
Whether you love to host or just want to cook al fresco for yourselves, adding a BBQ or outdoor kitchen is a fantastic way to do this. There are many forms you can opt for, from basic BBQs to built in ones. You can have outdoor kitchens with different appliances, as well as an outdoor grill or bar. This is the perfect place to rustle up some co*cktails and can make for great parties!
Install some shade
As well as having outdoor space, you want to ensure there’s shade or places to relax if the weather isn’t the best. You could install a pergola, a sun shade or a summer house which is ideal no matter the weather.
These are just a few things you can do in order to turn your backyard into an oasis. While it might seem like a lot of work, the sooner you get started, the sooner it can be done and you can make the most of the outside space of your home. What are some top tips you have for turning your backyard into an oasis? Let us know in the comments below, we would love to hear from you.
