Breathe New Life into Your Backyard with These Affordable Makeovers

We know, we know…Spring is not in another couple of weeks, blah-blah-blah, blah-blah-blah.

But hey, is there a season a more delightful season than this?!

Winter and fall and summer all have their upsides, but really, there is nothing like springtime. The snow is gone. The temperatures are just right. The flowers are in full bloom; the canopy verdant. Fruits and veggies are naturally ready for picking. There is the chirping of the birds. You feel more energized, and generally there is a feel-good factor about life.

In light of our spring reverie, we decided to, you know, get you in the mood for the warm weather just around the corner, and what better way to do this than – yup! – talking outdoors.

If you are like us, once the signs of frost are gone, you just want to run out and commence spring landscaping. That little excuse of it being too cold or everything being covered in snow is now a non-issue.

What’s top of the agenda for most homeowners at this time of year is landscaping, gardening, and boosting their curb appeal. Whether yours is a small yard or sprawling property with never-ending acreage, there is never a shortage of exceptional yet budget-friendly ideas to enhance your backyard.

Let’s walk you through some of them, shall we…

Define your Spaces

One of the first steps you need to take when preparing your backyard is to make up your mind on the spaces you need and then clearly define them.

Whether it’s a play area you need, a cooking area, a dining area, or shady lounging spot, this basic move can have a big visual impact on your yard.

And the best thing about it? It is as cost-effective as repositioning your furniture and the accessories you already own.

You might also consider incurring a little expense by constructing or purchasing a storage shed for the purpose of stowing away the children’s toys whenever they are not in use.

Create a Garden Path

If you have a little space to spare, adding a meandering path will afford an otherwise untamed space a polished look.

And it’s not like you will need pavers to pull this off. Crushed rock will work just fine; just make sure it is crushed into small pebbles and, ideally, in a range of colors.

A garden path will require some bit of work, though, but the good thing is that it is an excellent DIY project.

All you need to do is map out the shape of the path with the help of stakes, and then use bender board to wrap the edges. Next, pour the crushed rock about four to five inches deep, before completing the work by flattening the surface using a plate compactor. You can rent one from a home- or garden-supply center.

Cover up the Concrete

If you are like most Americans, chances are you have a concrete patio. This is one of the areas you should be looking at when finding ways to give your backyard a fresh look on the cheap.

And there are two ways you can do that.

For starters, you can use masonry stain to coat the surface using a color of your choice. A deep brown or warm honey are two options that will give you amazing results; you might even consider a checkerboard pattern.

Second, place slate tiles over the concrete using thin-set mortar to give it a stylish look.

Voila!

Introduce some Paint

This is an idea that works best with single-story homes.

It involves painting the back of the house in a different shade from the other three sides – preferably, a color that compliments the garden.

Neutral shades in particular go very well with landscaping features such as a stone path or a fence in a honey hue. Think light-gray, beige, or taupe.

Shake Things up a Little

If your backyard is mostly a flat lawn, you can add some dimension by using boulders which you can position right across the space. These are readily available at landscaping stores.

The way you add the boulders depends on preference – you might opt to cluster a few together or arrange them one by one.

If setting them up nicely means cutting into the lawn, don’t be afraid to – go right ahead. While you are at it, remember to leave some space around the boulders where you can grow some small shrubs or colorful perennials.

Consider adding a Trellis

Trellises are additions you see in garden centers every day, but it has probably never occurred to you that you can incorporate them into your space.

Well, turns out, you can.

Think about adding one towards the back of your garden, probably at the entrance to your vegetable garden, sitting area or any of your designated spots. You can use it as a focal point, then plant a flowering vine on either side.

Mulch

Lastly, don’t forget the mulch. A backyard is not a backyard without mulching your flowerbeds and any other areas where the soil is exposed.

Applying a like-colored mulch in the yard will complete the look on your space. And it comes with the added bonus of stifling weeds and ensuring your soil holds some much-needed nutrients.

These are projects that shouldn’t take up much of your time. And when all is said and done, you can be certain that the results will exceed your expectations. Go ahead, give it a try!