How to Transform your Backyard and Liven it for Parties
You’ve been thinking about sprucing up your backyard. You want to liven the surroundings and create an atmosphere suitable for parties and baby showers. But it can feel overwhelming as you try to decide from a wide range of options.
According to a Houzz report, remodeling prompts a third of homeowners to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Even though at times it may be confusing and stressful, remember that renovations can dramatically transform your home. Here are some ideas on how to renovate a backyard and liven it for parties and get together.
Making it Fun and Lively
Transforming your backyard is bound to be an exciting undertaking. There are many ideas you could try with the input of friends and family. The advantage of these projects is that many renovations are relatively low cost to implement. Before you get a banner printing service to advertise your event, consider the following ideas for a fun and lively backyard.
Get a Pergola
If you are looking for ways on how to renovate a backyard, consider a pergola for relaxation and meditation. The construction serves as an outdoor room without walls. You can find structures made from a wide variety of materials today. The most common ones are aluminum, timber, PVC, brick, and stone.
You may want to create an ambiance around it suitable for friends and colleagues to meet on those lazy weekends. It can be a place to organize a BBQ or a cookout on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Garden pergolas can also be a serene spot where people can converse and share ideas.
Another way the pergola can liven up your home is by creating an oasis of serenity. It can be a place for meditation and Yoga. When you have a baby shower, it can be an ideal place to move the baby bedroom furniture when taking family photos and videos.
Build a Gazebo
Another idea on how to renovate a backyard for parties is to start a gazebo. The gazebo is very much like the pergola, except that it is typically larger and has a different shape. They usually have a screen to prevent dust, pollen, and insects.
You can opt for a gazebo if you intend to host large parties or meet with friends in your home frequently. The extra space can accommodate some potted plants or vases to put in your rose bouquets.
Most gazebos are made of wood. If you are concerned about installation, there are structures made of lightweight aluminum that are easier to erect, and may even have a patio door.
Add a Porch Swing
Building a porch swing can add cheer and fun to the backyard. It’s actually one of the most popular tips on how to renovate a backyard. A porch swing can be a place for the family to relax and interact during the day. At night, it can be a spot to unwind under a blanket as you watch the stars.
You can put up a porch swing out in the open, under a tree, or install one on your deck. It is relatively simple to build. Make sure that it has a back high enough to support an adult. You can find blueprints for making one various DIY sites. You may also opt to buy a ready-made frame with aesthetics that complement your garden.
Put Up a Tree House
If you have children, a tree house is one of the best ways on how to renovate a backyard and add cheer and fun. It can also double as a place to meditate or read a book privately.
Before putting up a tree house, you need to find species that are strong enough to support the structure. Ideally, it should be held up by load-bearing branches that are at least eight inches in diameter. You will also need secure fasteners to support the weight.
You may add extra accessories such as a slide for the kids. It’s even more fun to involve the children in the design and building of the structure. Their friends will keep themselves occupied playing with the tree house, as you host the party on the other side of the garden.
Finally, remember to paint the treehouse with colors that match your backyard’s theme. You can do this by yourself or hire commercial painters to do it on your behalf.
Add a Fireplace in your Backyard
Adding a fireplace in your backyard can enhance the ambiance and make your home warm and welcoming. It can allow you to spend more time on the porch swing on chilly nights. Modern design tends to incorporate the fireplace as a central focal point for a patio or gazebo.
You can actually build the fireplace into an existing stone wall. The stone can provide insulation so that you minimize heat loss and generate more warmth. It is also possible to create multiple fireplaces by using a brick wall with several openings.
A gazebo with adequate space may also accommodate a fireplace. If it has a reliable cover, it will make it easier to use it when it is raining. Of course, you may add a patio door and roof as another way on how to renovate a backyard with a fireplace. You can turn it into a cozy open room to host a Backyard Hawaiian Luau.
Gardening and Landscaping
Landscaping will often demand that you invest time and money. But if you work with a well thought out plan, you can minimize the maintenance tasks. Here are some ways you can enhance your garden landscaping on your property.
Keeping Your Lawn Lush Green
One of the fastest ways to liven the atmosphere of your backyard is to keep the lawn green and healthy. The lawn is the first thing that your visitors will see when they come to your home. From a scientific standpoint, green vegetation and plants have a soothing effect on our mind and psyche.
Lawn maintenance is, therefore, crucial if you are looking for ideas on how to renovate a backyard. Brown spots on the grass can be an eyesore. The tree trunks and heaps of leaves should be eliminated to prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
Remember that your lawn also needs aeration. Because of the constant human traffic, the soil beneath it can become compacted, and the grass becomes deprived of air. You can solve the problem by creating holes three inches deep on different sections of the yard. For larger lawns, consider acquiring specialized tools to make work easier.
Another point to keep in mind is the appropriate cutting height. Different species have varying requirements. The grass clippings should be left on the lawn to decompose and provide the required nutrients. Composting your waste and using it in the yard can improve the soil quality and enhance the health of your lawn.
Get a Smart Water sprinkler
For a healthy lawn, you will need to water regularly. Depending on the amount of rainfall you receive in your area and the size of the lawn, you may want to invest in a water sprinkler.
The advantage of modern sprinklers is that they can be automated. Smart equipment and tools make it harder to forget to water your lawn. They come with apps that you can schedule depending on your preferences.
Many smart sprinklers are connected and can integrate weather information to avoid over-watering your lawn. You can either stop it manually or use its intelligent algorithm to prevent it from watering the garden when it rains. Since the applications are connected to the internet, you can even water the lawn while on vacation.
Fencing defining Zones
You may add a fence in your garden, either for aesthetics or to enhance your privacy. Both are important whether you are planning to host a meeting of your local church members or you have a family get together.
Today, there are many materials you can use to quickly put up a fence. Your choice of material will depend on its purpose. If your aim is privacy, you may want to go for materials that leave very little space between the planks. Alternatively, you could use aluminum or wooden fence with no spacing, and then use appropriate climbing plants to block the view.
You can erect a fence to demarcate zones in the backyard. You may choose materials with a variety of color schemes to define areas for children to play and for adults to prepare a BBQ. Fences can also keep intruders and dogs from getting into your home.
Walkways
Another way to define zones is to use garden paths. When done right, it creates the impression of a well-kept lawn. You can use readily available materials such as slabs of rocks, which makes the trail look more natural. However, avoid overdoing the design, as it can ruin the aesthetics of the garden. If possible, consider subcontracting the design job to a commercial remodeling company.
You can use the tracks to create visual interest. Think of the path as a journey for the eye that highlights the interesting features along the walkway. For smaller spaces, use curved pathways to accentuate the various aspects of your backyard.
Another tip on how to renovate a backyard with a small area is to add plants on the walkway. You can plant tuff grass or moss to soften the effect of the rocky paths. Use plants that will not overgrow on the walkway, and those that are suitable for your local climate.
Vegetable Garden
A vegetable garden will liven up the backyard, and teach your kids to enjoy the gifts of mother nature. It can offer an opportunity to break the ice with small talk when you host guests in your garden. Your children will volunteer information and probably even start the camaraderie that often initiates the party.
For the best results, consider using a raised bed for your vegetable garden. They accommodate loose organic soils and discourage the growth of weeds. They also provide more room for healthy roots to grow.
With raised beds, you can fit more plants. Try growing them in triangular rather than square arrangements. As the plants grow, they leave little room for the weeds. You can use the garden to grow tomatoes, spinach, pepper, broccoli, lettuces, eggplants and any other vegetables you use often.
Planting Trees
This is one of the most important tips on how to renovate a backyard. Planting evergreen trees can make your yard a great place to host parties. Trees can act as windbreakers, especially if they are placed on the windy side of the garden. That way, you can minimize the risk of destruction from strong winds or storms.
Trees also help to reduce the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and provide a relaxing setting with their shading. It can reduce your energy consumption by strategically planting them so that they shade the house during the hot season.
You can plant more evergreen trees to improve the ambiance and appearance of your garden. You can grow species like the Wisteria or the Cherry plum for their unique and strong scents. Scientifically, having healthy green plants can help boost your mental and emotional well being.
Trees can also serve as support for outdoor structures. You can build a tree house on an evergreen plant with sturdy branches. If you have species with a stable trunk, you may also add a hammock or a swing for fun and relaxation.
One problem with growing trees is that they may take time to get to the point where they provide shading for the interior of your home. However, they are a low-cost investment, which will continue to grow until it gets to its maturity.
Before you start working on how to renovate a backyard with trees, consider hiring an arborist. An arborist can show you the most appropriate plants to grow in your climate. You can discuss your plan with the arborist to determine the style and design for your yard.
Another advantage of hiring a professional is to save the plants that are already in your backyard. Trees take time to grow. You can save the tree from dying of diseases or rot, by having it diagnosed by an arborist.
Bottom-Line
Planning is essential if you want to adopt these tips on how to renovate a backyard and make it lively. You can incorporate your ideas for the gazebo and patio and add other elements such as French doors and fences. Consider consulting a professional for serious issues such as diseases, pests, or removing trunks. After you’re done with the project, you’ll be pleased with yourself for having initiated the transformation.
