10 Easy Ways to Spruce Up Your Backyard

Posted on June 7th, 2015 by Aaron Presley

Is your backyard lacking in comfort and style? Does your outdoor living space seem dated and dull? Well, it might be time for a makeover! There are a myriad of affordable ways to create an outdoor living space that will impress your friends and provide a relaxing oasis for your family. Here are ten great ways to spruce up your backyard:

#1: Upgrade Your Patio Furniture

Is your current patio furniture looking a little faded? Upgrading your tables, chairs, and chaises is a wonderful way to make your backyard look great to guests. You may even opt to add a sectional or outdoor sofa.

Also, accessorizing your seating with weather-resistant throw pillows and cushions is a great way to add extra comfort and eye-catching color. Discover a variety of affordable designs available at your local home improvement retailer.

#2: Build a New Privacy Fence

Fences are a great way to keep nosy neighbors out and make your yard extra safe for kids and pets. Adding a fence or replacing an old one is a simple way to give your family the privacy they deserve.

There are many different types of privacy fences that can be built including chain length, wood, pole fencing, wrought iron, and more. Also, the process of building a new fence is incredibly easy and often takes only a weekend to complete.

#3: Add an Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens are incredibly popular amongst homeowners these days. From simple built-in barbeque grills to magnificent pizza ovens, there are a number of different ways you can add one to update your backyard. The real trick to deciding on what to include, however, will be your budget.

Some homeowners choose just to build a permanent area for their current rolling grill to add workspace and storage—a very cost-effective option for the budget conscious. Others decide to put in built-in beverage refrigerators, wine chillers, and other luxury items. Again, the choice of how little or much to add is really up to you.

#4: Buy a Colorful Outdoor Rug

Add a pop of color to your patio, porch, or deck with a colorful outdoor rug. These floor coverings come in just about every hue, size, and pattern imaginable, so finding one that matches your patio furniture or personal taste is easy. Best of all, most styles are washable with a garden hose and designed to resist fading.

#5: Create an Outdoor Living Room

Just like outdoor kitchens, outdoor living rooms are becoming more popular than ever. Many homeowners even opt to add a fireplace, ceiling fan, or flat screen television to their patio space to create a truly inviting entertaining area. Dining tables and home bars are also quite popular additions to this type of space.

#6: Add Unique Flower Pots

Unique flower pots—including large urns to small tabletop designs—are a fantastic and highly affordable way to add pizzazz to your backyard. Most home and garden shops offer terra cotta and plastic pots that feature bold colors and prints. Or you can easily bring home a standard design and customize it with paint to suit your personal style. Either way, adding a few of your favorite flowers to them is a great way to give your backyard a bit of color without having to spend a ton of money.

#7: Install New Lighting

New backyard lighting is another way to spruce up your space. Add small lanterns or ground-level lights to any footpath or walkway. You can also opt for spotlight features that draw attention to certain focal points in your yard. Not only does this look great, it also improves the overall safety of your home by keeping the exterior well lit.

#8: Buy a Fountain or Other Water Feature

Fountains and other water features are a great way to transform your backyard into a relaxing oasis. Whether you choose a small tabletop design or something fit for a grand palace, adding this type of accessory to your property is a great way to give it elegance and charm.

This is another area where designs come in virtually any price point imaginable. A small tabletop fountain may cost less than one hundred dollars while something large can run into the thousands.

#9: Add Flower Beds

Adding colorful flower beds to your backyard is a great way to spruce up your outdoor space. Not only is it a great way to cover up any bare or unsightly areas, it adds a splash of color to the outside of your home. There’s also a ton of different edging and mulch options available to give your beds a professional, groomed appeal.

Most local lawn and garden centers will be able to guide you as to which plants work well with our unique Texas weather. They will also provide advice as to which ones are best for planting in the current season, which ones provide the most color, etc.

#10: Build a New Deck

Spruce up your backyard by building a brand new deck! Today’s decking materials are a lot more durable than those of the past, giving you a beautiful space that will continue to look great for many years to come. Fiberon decking is one such choice that offers strength, durability, and a beautiful finish. Installation of a new deck is also quite easy and usually takes about a weekend to complete.

Of course, these are just a few of the dozens of ideas of things to do to improve the look of your backyard. Other ideas include adding a pool, building a gazebo, or just simply putting in a lawn. Whether you are thinking about making a large change or a small one, there is always something you can do that will improve the overall look of your space.