Spending more time outdoors boasts many benefits, from improved sleep to reduced stress and anxiety. However, what’s really great about this is that you don’t need to venture too far from home to start to feel these benefits – your back garden will do the trick!
However, for this to be possible, you must work on keeping your yard and outdoor spaces in good condition. In doing so, you’re curating the perfect place to enjoy some outdoor time, whether you’re hoping to sit in the sunshine solo, or want to invite your friends round for a BBQ.
With that in mind, here are some ways in which you can elevate your outdoor spaces.
Set yourself a budget
As with any form of home improvement, you should always make sure that you have a budget in mind before getting started. After all, there’s nothing worse than having to abandon a project mid-way through its completion because you’ve run out of money.
When putting together your budget, try to factor in the cost of garden upkeep and maintenance, too. For example, if you’re often too busy to spend time gardening, you’ll need to consider the cost of a monthly gardener who can keep things in order.
Think about your safety first
Believe it or not, there are plenty of ways in which your backyard could be hazardous. For example, overgrown trees could become a real risk if you live in an area where bad weather is all but guaranteed, especially if they’re likely to become uprooted during high winds. As such, you should start your backyard makeover by dealing with potential safety issues, such as by reaching out to a tree removal company.
Remove weeds and clean up your garden
Removing weeds and debris is another great way to elevate your outdoor space, especially if it’s been a little while since you last worked on your garden. While you may be tempted to use weed killer, try a few alternative methods first. Though they may take a little longer, the chemicals present in weed killers are harmful to the environment and local wildlife and could even cause lasting damage to your garden.
You can then focus on other tasks that provide you with a ‘clean slate’ to work with moving forward. For example, this could include jet washing pathways, or removing any long-dead plants and flowers.
Get planting
Once you’ve given yourself a clean slate, it’s time to start planting. However, make sure you read as much gardening advice as possible before getting started. This will reduce your chances of making mistakes, even if you aren’t the best gardener around, giving you much more confidence in your abilities moving forward.
If you want the best results, focus on both seasonal and local plants. This means that you won’t have to wait around for them to bloom and that your workload moving forward will be somewhat minimal, as they’ll already be in an environment where they can thrive.
Grab your paintbrush
Now is also the perfect time to spruce up your fences (or any other wooden features within your garden). For the most part, this means grabbing your supplies and applying a fresh coat of paint. While the majority of homeowners will focus on finding a paint that matches the natural colour of the wood, don’t be afraid to mix things up a little bit by experimenting with colour.
For example, a bold, bright colour could inject a little vibrancy into the space, while also complementing your choice of plants and flowers nicely. Alternatively, painting the fence white could make your garden appear bigger than it actually is, due to the way in which it absorbs and reflects light.
Either way, make sure you choose paint that is suitable for outdoor use; otherwise, all of your hard work may wash away next time it rains. It’s also worthwhile applying multiple coats and a layer of varnish. This means that you won’t need to pick up a paintbrush again anytime soon. While you’re at it, make sure to repaint other wooden fixtures in your garden too, such as furniture that may be looking a little dated.
Remember, you can buy garden furniture second-hand too
Whether you plan on relaxing in your garden or entertaining large groups of guests, you’ll need to get your hands on some furniture. However, as this can be expensive, you’ll be pleased to hear that you can often find these pieces second-hand. Don’t be afraid to bring something home that is looking a little worse for wear, as you can always spruce it up a little yourself. For example, it’s cheaper to buy paint and repair tools than it is to buy brand new garden furniture outright, even if it does take up a little more of your time.
That being said, it is important to remember that garden furniture is an investment. When you take good care of it, it’s something that you can use for many years to come, as opposed to having to buy brand-new pieces each summer.
Focus on value-enhancing features
Another way in which you can elevate your outdoor space is by introducing value-enhancing features. For example, if you want your backyard to be a hub of relaxation, you might want to go all-out and invest in a hot tub. Alternatively, if you want to create the perfect space for socialising, you should focus on setting up an outdoor dining and entertainment area, complete with a fire pit.
Either way, working on this kind of project will help you to turn your backyard into a dream oasis and boost your home’s value.
Final thoughts
There are many different ways in which you can upgrade or elevate your backyard, from splurging on a hot tub that you can enjoy all year long to removing overgrown trees. In any case, this is a great excuse to spend more time outdoors, which will bring forth a host of benefits almost as soon as you step outside your door.
In addition to this, working on your garden will add considerable value to your home!
