If you are considering backyard remodeling, it is important to plan it well. The backyard at your home is a piece of space that you can spruce up with endless creativity. While adding standard elements like fountains, pools or decks is a regular approach, you can also take out-of-box approaches to renovating the backyard. To give you a dose of inspiration in the right direction, here are some great tips you can try.
Create Multiple Levels
Backyard space can range from small and limited to large and spacious. If you have a smaller backyard, you can achieve an effective backyard remodeling project by creating multiple levels. For instance, if you don’t have space for a flat garden, you can create a sloping hillside garden and still get a good amount of greenery in your backyard. Similarly, elevated decks can create a separate level and serve as a dining spot at the same time. Even with a spacious backyard, multiple levels create multiple options.
Choose Multi-Purpose Features
A great way to add more to your backyard with less effort and expense is to choose multi-purpose features. For instance, a small and cozy deck can double as a basic outdoor kitchen as well as an informal dining spot. You can even add pots and plants to further touch up the space.
Customize Your Backyard Remodeling Project
It’s your backyard, so it makes sense to customize any features you add to the space during backyard remodeling. If the backyard doesn’t have space enough for a pool, consider adding a unique water feature. Try combining a lawn and dining. You can even use a retractable awning on a deck to make it an indoor or an outdoor space, depending on your moods and needs. Fences can be used as props for vines and plants. Instead of the minimalist décor elements on the deck or patio spaces, you can use hanging plants, pots, urns and containers to grow herbs and vegetables.
Remember Your Backyard Remodeling Options
Many homeowners try to add a lot of backyard features that they simply don’t need when they undertake backyard remodeling. While the range of backyard beautification options is virtually endless, it is important to focus on what you need and want. This should be a starting point for designing a good backyard space. If you have kids but rarely see guests, you can trade away a formal dining space and choose a play land for kids instead. Such practical considerations will help you build a backyard area that you and your family will truly enjoy.
If you’re thinking about adding a deck to your property, your planning should take into account ROI variables. Materials, size, access, and the “wow factor” all contribute to a prospective buyer’s perception of the value added by a deck to the property. It’s worth becoming familiar with deck construction in the comparable properties in your area so you can position yours where you want to be value-wise. Another value relationship to consider is that between your deck budget and the overall value of the property. It doesn’t make ROI dollars and sense to build something too grand for the size and likely resale price of the home. One rule of thumb used by contractors and architects is that a deck should be no larger than the home’s biggest interior space.
Keep in mind, too, that adding value to your home gets the attention of the assessor and the underwriter, so your property taxes and insurance premiums are like to be increased. Like anything else built by human beings, a deck will inevitably require some maintenance and/or repair as time goes by. Good choices of materials, with expert design and construction, are the ticket to keeping those costs down and your enjoyment and ROI up.