If you’re wondering about ways to unplug and relax at home, here are six ways a landscaper can transform your backyard into a tranquil retreat in Bedford and Peterborough, NH.
1. Take It Easy
If your backyard features a big lawn that you don’t use much (if you don’t have pets and kids who need room to run), yet you’re spending a lot of time on lawn care, you could create a more tranquil retreat by reducing the size of the lawn, adding more outdoor living space that you actually use, and bringing nature closer by placing native plants closer to your patio.
A bigger patio means less work than a lawn. And it doesn’t mean your lawn has to be turned into a fully paved surface. You could add on to your existing patio with one or two mini-patios especially for relaxing. Bringing your outdoor living spaces closer to nature will create a more tranquil space. Native plants are far less maintenance than lawns, and will reward you richly with seasonal color, fragrance, fruits and berries, and shade.
2. An Outdoor Living Area With Creature Comforts
Today’s outdoor living spaces feature indoor comforts such as shelter and warmth. Whether you want a simple pergola to add shade to your patio, or a multi-season shelter in the form of a pavilion, it’s an addition that will encourage you to use your outdoor space more frequently. A shelter structure can be any size, sheltering an outdoor kitchen/dining space, a lounge area, or both.
Fire features are essential for providing warmth and ambience. Fire pits, fire tables, or outdoor fireplaces make your patio usable practically year-round. When you combine a fire feature with a pavilion, you’ll effectively create an outdoor room that’s cozy yet retains that fresh-air feeling.
3. Smart Technology
Smart irrigation systems can save a tremendous amount of water while keeping your landscape healthy. Each zone has its own watering frequency and duration that is dictated in part by precipitation, sun exposure, and plant needs.
Outdoor lighting and audio also takes a zoned approach. Instead of a single bright light trying to illuminate the entire space, zoned lighting delivers exactly the right amount of light and music to each part of your outdoor living space. Most modern lighting and audio systems can be controlled via your smartphone.
4. An Outdoor Cooking Space Just Right for You
Outdoor kitchens have evolved beyond a simple grill station into more sophisticated cooking space that often feature more “indoor” amenities. Amenities like a wood-fired pizza oven, wine cooler, dishwasher, and more are transforming the outdoor cooking experience.
If your patio is short on space, adding bar seating in an L-shaped peninsula design helps reduce patio clutter and provides seating at the cooking area.
5. Permeable Hardscapes
Permeable pavers are a hot trend. These eco-friendly pavers are an excellent choice for patios, driveways, walkways, and pool decks. With larger joints between pavers and a special substrate that allows surface water to seep into the ground result in a drier and safer surface.
6. Heated Surfaces
Installing a driveway heating system (also known as a snowmelt system) under your patio, walkway, driveway and pool deck you could virtually eliminate winter chores of plowing and shoveling, and prevent damage from de-icing chemicals. Instead, your hardscape areas will be dry, warm, and welcoming.
Related: 5 PAVER PATIO IDEAS TO ADD TO YOUR OUTDOOR LANDSCAPE DESIGN IN BEDFORD, NH
