8 Features to Consider for Your Backyard

A backyard transformation is one of the quickest ways to improve your property’s curb appeal and value and make your home stand out in your neighborhood. However, with so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide what features to add to your backyard, especially when working under a tight budget or having limited space. For this reason, we’ve put together eight pocket-friendly landscaping ideas to help you create your dream backyard. Let’s get started. 

Fire pit

Give your family and friends a place to catch up, relax and enjoy warm nights by investing in a fire element. If you want to sell your home, adding a fire pit can also provide up to a 67% return on investment. 

There are plenty of fire pit types and style options. You could put stones together in a circle, then place firewood at the center, or go for a classy design. You must also decide whether to add a mobile or permanent fire element. Check with your local fire department and homeowner’s association restrictions before adding a permanent walled fire element. Some states do not allow permanent fire pits.

If you are considering adding a touch of style and class to your backyard with a fire pit, be sure to visit The Fireplace Store for superior quality custom-built outdoor fireplaces.

Outdoor Kitchen

An outdoor kitchen is a convenient investment if you are fond of hosting and entertaining guests. It can allow you to prepare and serve your loved ones unique recipes without the hassle of going back and forth in your indoor cookhouse. An outdoor kitchen can also increase the value of your home, enabling you to attract the highest bidders should you decide to sell your home. 

Be sure to hire a professional when designing an outdoor kitchen. A landscape architect can assess the available space to help you create your dream outdoor kitchen while keeping access to the indoor cookhouse and outdoor dining area in mind.

Next, determine the features you want to incorporate into your outdoor kitchen. Do you want storage space, a bar center, a dishwasher, an island, a refrigerator, a built-in grill, and a pizza oven? Other factors to consider when designing an outdoor kitchen include the following:

• Budget
• Cooking style
• Climate
• Layout
• Material 
• Lighting

Outdoor Lighting

What better way to make your backyard features stand out than investing in outdoor lighting? Landscape light fixtures accentuate your home’s exterior focal points and create a cozy atmosphere.  They also boost the functionality of your outdoor living space, not to mention providing additional safety and security by making your backyard less appealing to intruders.

Be sure to add light fixtures to highlight steps and walkways, illuminate dining and seating areas and attract attention to crucial landscape features such as flower gardens and swim spas. Adding outdoor lighting can increase your utility bills. Consider investing in energy-efficient LED lighting to keep energy expenses at a minimum. 

Water features

Adding water features such as waterfalls, fountains, swimming pools, and ponds to your backyard adds personality and life to your outdoor living space. They also provide a place for relaxation and fun while improving the visual appeal of an otherwise bland landscape. Installing a feature like a swimming pool can increase your home’s value by 7%, not to mention providing many health benefits. Swimming can help you build muscles, relieve stress, and improve cardiovascular health. 

Garden

Give your landscape a breath of fresh air by planting a garden. You could invest in container gardens, patio planters, and flowerbeds to add greenery to your landscape. Creating a separate kitchen garden can also give your backyard a country farm feel. Be sure to incorporate stonework to divide and accentuate sections of your yard landscape design and brighten up with flowers in colorful plants and raised flowerbeds. Correctly positioned plants can also alter the conditions in your backyard. Plants and trees can significantly affect your backyard’s light levels, wind, and temperature. 

Be careful with your tree and plant selection. Choose plants that can thrive in your region. You should also invest in relatively clean plants. The last thing you want is to spend time and thousands of dollars on stressful maintenance. 

More pathways

Invite your family and friends to soothing walks around your home while enhancing visual appeal by building more walkways in your backyard. If you intend to plant a kitchen garden, adding more pathways can also help you create borders for your plants.

Be sure to invest in brick paver instead of concrete pathways to create an elaborately decorated track. Brick pavers add a decadent, timeless look to your backyard. You could add a splash of color by edging the pathways with flowerbeds to create a beautiful outdoor living space.

Retaining walls

A retaining wall is a perfect addition to your backyard if you live in a sloppy area. Not only do retaining walls improve your landscape’s aesthetic appeal, but they can also help prevent soil erosion. A retaining wall creates a leveled surface on a sloped area, preventing soil from eroding. Retaining walls can also help you utilize and divert rainwater, lower the risk of flooding, and prevent damage to neighborhood property. 

To design a retaining wall, choose a perfect location while keeping the existing features in mind, determine the correct geometry and height, evaluate structural requirements, and choose suitable materials.

Patio or deck

Make your backyard more functional by building a deck or a patio. A deck provides additional space in your backyard where you could create a seating area for your loved ones to hang out. It can also increase your property’s value while providing a place you could add outdoor furniture and decorations your family and friends could utilize. 

However, with plenty of patio and deck styles available, it’s important to browse the market to pick the best design suitable for your family and needs. Remember to keep the furniture’s layout, decorations, and color in mind when designing your patio. 

Endnote

Your home’s backyard is the perfect space to relax and entertain guests. Create your dream backyard by installing retaining walls, a patio or deck, water elements, a fire pit, an outdoor kitchen, a garden, and more pathways.