Ways to Upgrade Your Backyard

There may come a time when you tire of looking out your home’s window to the same view. Or, you might have purchased your dream home with a backyard that definitely wasn’t your dream. In either of these situations and possibly others, a backyard upgrade could be on the cards.

However, as excited as you might be about the possibility of transforming your yard into a space you adore, you might not know exactly what you’re looking for. When you start sketching out a few options, keep the following ideas in mind. You might just find something that grabs your attention for all the right reasons.

Create An Outdoor Entertainment Area

Kiwis are entertainers. Most of us love nothing more than taking advantage of the warm weather by sitting outside with a refreshing beverage, a good book, and maybe a few sausages on the barbecue.

Therefore, when you’ve decided to spruce up your backyard, it makes complete sense to build an entertainment area if you have the room to do so. You might opt for something simple like a small paved area with a quaint outdoor furniture set, or you might go all out with an expansive deck, barbecue, and outdoor loungers.

Whichever option you choose, consider the elements that can make it something truly special, such as lighting, shelter from the weather, a touch of nature with potted plants, and a central focus, like a firepit or spa pool, that you can design the rest of your yard around.

Develop Defined Areas

When you have a large backyard, it can be challenging to know what to do with it. In fact, coming up with design ideas for a large space can be so overwhelming that you might decide to do nothing at all.

However, if you were to break up your yard into smaller, more defined spaces, the ideas might start flowing rapidly. Sketch out your section and consider allowing room for pathways that can lead to each area.

For example, you might have a path leading to a vegetable garden area, complete with raised beds, a potting bench, and a tool shed. This path might then lead to a flower garden area where you can grow any number of beautiful flowers and plants.

You might also allow room for your entertainment area and free space for the kids to kick a ball and your pets to sniff to their heart’s content. Before long, you can have a well-designed, developed yard that caters to your entire family’s needs.

Focus on Fencing

Sometimes, our yards can start to look a little drab, even if we can’t put our finger on how. You might have kept on top of lawn mowing and weeding, but there’s still something that’s not quite right.

Take a look at your fences. Could they be to blame? With time and a helping hand from the elements, they can start to look worn out and a little bit dilapidated. You might find that water blasting and a fresh coat of paint might be all it takes to upgrade your yard.

However, if one of your fences bordering a neighbouring property is in a state of disrepair, consider your options around replacement. Under New Zealand’s Fencing Act 1978, neighbours can share the cost of a new fence equally, so have a chat with your neighbours and see if you can come to an agreement about the type of fence you’d both enjoy.

Perform Maintenance

While your backyard might be in dire need of an upgrade, see if simple maintenance might start you on the right track to having a yard you can be proud of.

Consider lawn repairs if you notice bare spots and get stuck into the weeding if it’s been some time since you gave your plants any attention. You might even find that a fresh layer of mulch paired with some vibrant new flowers transforms a previously dull and uninspired part of your section.

Revamp Your Outdoor Furniture

The sad reality is that no matter how much you spend on outdoor furniture, it doesn’t last forever. Steel rusts, rattan rots, wood warps, and plastic perishes. Unless you take great care to protect your furniture from the elements, it probably won’t last a lifetime.

You might be able to take one step towards a complete backyard upgrade by giving your outdoor furniture some love. Invest in cushions for your outdoor seating, paint or stain your wood seats, and replace anything that no longer serves its purpose.

You might then be inspired to revamp your outdoor area in earnest by water blasting deck and patio areas, installing new lighting, and repotting plants that aren’t as healthy as they could be.  

Get a Helping Hand

One of the easiest ways to upgrade your backyard is by asking for help. You might not have the expertise, time, or knowledge to do it on your own, and you might even be worried about not getting the results you desire.

Fortunately, there are plenty of lawn care, gardening, and landscaping experts available to help. All you need to do is pick up the phone and make a call.