Instead of feeling “stuck” at home, you could do a few upgrades to make your backyard so wonderful you won’t mind spending extra time there. Here are a few tips from a landscaper for creating a backyard you won’t want to leave in Amherst, NH.
Related: HOW TO EFFECTIVELY USE UPLIGHTING AND DOWNLIGHTING IN YOUR LANDSCAPE DESIGN
Do you need to create a decked-out backyard in order to have fun? No, unless of course you want to. There are plenty of options, ranging from a simple side yard upgrade, to an extravagant landscape overhaul.
Shelter
The last thing you want to do is to have to go back inside when the weather stops cooperating. A pavilion offers the same protection as a covered porch for those who love to sit outside and listen to the rain in comfort; or, if you prefer a more open-sky feel, opt for a pergola that will shield you from the sun’s rays while allowing the breeze to move freely through the space. A pavilion or pergola can be positioned on your patio, or as a stand-alone structure.
A Warm Patio Expansion
Making your patio space larger will give everyone more elbow room and reduce landscape maintenance. However, you can make a small and strategic addition that doesn’t overwhelm the backyard: for example, a dedicated fire pit or fireplace area surrounded by a seat wall. If you already have a fireplace or fire pit, consider moving it to its own space to free up the main patio space for fun and games, while providing a cozy conversation space around the warmth of a fire. And if you don’t have fire, adding it will become an instant hit with everyone and you’ll wonder how you ever did without it!
A Pizza Oven
Who can resist freshly baked pizza or bread? Whether you add a pizza oven to your outdoor kitchen or to your fireplace area, you’ll want to explore the many ways to create healthy and delicious pizzas, for example using fresh veggies from your garden!
A Side Yard Game Area
If your side yard is nothing more than a way to get from here to there, why not transform it into a game area? You won’t have to disturb the landscaping already in place in the backyard and make fantastic use of a “forgotten” space. Here are some great games the whole family can enjoy in a narrow side yard: outdoor bowling, croquet, bocce, horseshoes, lawn darts, mini golf, or a putting green.
A Quiet Retreat
Transform a neglected corner of the backyard, or your other side yard, into a private retreat. Everyone needs a chance to be in nature and using a side yard to create a meditation or reading nook lets you keep the boisterous fun and games separate. Comfortable seating, tall privacy fencing (a living wall, a bamboo fence, or a teak slat fence are beautiful options), a small fountain and monochromatic greenery are all you need to create a zen space for the ultimate in outdoor relaxation.
Light It Up!
Outdoor fun shouldn’t have to end with the sunset. Good landscape lighting will make your outdoor spaces safe; and good lighting design will create a magical ambience the whole family will enjoy. No more dark, scary corners… no more harsh shadows that make it hard to see steps or obstacles… just subtle lighting that offers just the right mix of beauty and practicality.
