Your home is your castle. It is where you live, raise a family, enjoy your quiet time and play with your children. Part of enjoying your backyard sanctuary involves turning it into something that is not only functional and versatile, but nice to look at. There are several ways to spruce up your backyard that are inexpensive and can be completed in just a few hours time.
Light It Up!
One of the easiest ways to add character and appeal to your backyard is to include a few lights. A popular option are small solar powered lights that can be placed along fencing and pathways to help establish boundaries. Motion activated lights can also be installed so that light is readily available when you need it in a hurry. If you have a swimming pool, carriage lights can be strategically placed so the area is well lit. Lighting pathways and boundary lines can prevent people from tripping and falling as they make their way around your back yard.
Make It Your Own
If your home is your castle, it should embody and embrace the things you like. For some that's a backyard putting green and practicing your strokes. For others, the highlight of their week might be hosting the neighborhood block party during sporting events. Here are just a few ways to make your back yard your own personal oasis.
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Backyard putting green – Backyard putting greens are extremely cost effective. The golfer can practice their shot when ever they want to without having to worry about club memberships, green fees or golf cart rental.
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Barbecue/Fire pit – For homeowners who like to throw backyard parties. Having a fire pit or barbecue grill built into the backyard provides a safe place to grill any night of the week without having to worry about running out of gas.
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Patio/Deck/Landscaped areas – Patios, decks and landscaped areas are an ideal way to showcase your decorating talents. Patios and decks can have walkways made from artificial turf and beautiful flowers that keep the lawn looking evergreen all year round.
Include things in your yard that are inspired by your creativity. If you like statues, include a few scattered throughout the landscaped area. Hang a wind chime or two. Use decorative grasses and colorful stones when landscaping. Small hints of color will stand out much better than large splashes of colors that often overshadow everything around it. Your yard can be anything you want it to be and you can accomplish most things while on a budget if you make an effort to buy wisely.
Fencing
The next step when it comes to sprucing up your home is protecting your home. The right type of fencing makes your home look more appealing and also serves as a barrier keeping your home secure. Decorative fencing options are available that can increase the resale value of your home and give that much needed curb appeal that draws new buyers inside. Often times, in the real estate market, a buyer will only look at the exterior of a home before making a choice to inquire about what's inside. The first thing to draw them in is normally the home's outside appearance.
Large wood privacy fences are tried and true ways of keeping intruders out and children and pets securely inside the fence. Chain link and expanded metal fences are also good choices. They allow maximum visibility while making it difficult for unwanted animals and intruders to find a way into your personal space. The fence you choose should complement the exterior of your home, provide at least a modest amount of security and provide you with an adequate backdrop for whatever creative adventure you choose to pursue in the creation of your backyard getaway.
