We all know that being outdoors is great for both physical and mental health, but if your outdoor space is feeling a bit dated and unloved you might not be as excited to spend much time using it. 

Starting a yard project can be a great way to spend your spare time, and not only will you have a wonderful space you can use as part of your home, but you can also add value to your property should you come to sell it.

There are a few considerations that you need to think about before you get started though. 

What Will You Use Your Outdoor Space For?

You might want to use your yard as a place for the family to play together, with a swing set or a basketball hoop. You might want it to be a cozy retreat from the hustle and bustle of your day, or an extra entertaining space for parties. Some people look to remodel their outdoor space for additional living areas, whether that is space for a home gym, a home office, or even a complete home for adult children. 

Once you know what the function of this space will be, you can effectively plan and prepare for it. 

Theme

You will have a design idea for all the rooms that are in your house, and by extending this creativity into your outdoor space you can create something that looks great. Some of the themes you could choose include:

• Tropical rainforest
• Japanese Zen
• Mediterranean café
• Kids Zone
• Quiet retreat

Buildings 

Making your outdoor space work might mean that you want to look at some form of outbuilding. The choices are almost endless – you could create somewhere for extra storage, a building that could be used for a workshop, a home gym, or an office to work from home. 

Eco-friendly steel buildings are a great option for solid and dependable performance, and choosing a bespoke design means it will suit your needs and your aesthetic ideas perfectly. 

Furniture

To be a useful space that you want to spend time in, your yard needs furniture. This is true whether you have a balcony or a huge lot – and should be one of the first things that you consider. 

Furniture ideas can range from a simple bistro-style table with a couple of chairs right up to extendable dining tables, huge parasols and sunshades, hammocks, and recliners. 

Make the furniture work for you by following your theme and really thinking about how you are going to use your space. You wouldn’t put a sun lounger directly under a tree where it will constantly be in the shade, for example. 

Access

You will want to be able to get to the different areas of your outdoor space easily, so plan your pathways and any vehicle access that might be needed. 

Paths can be something like steppingstones or asphalt.

When you are looking at the plans for your yard, think about where you are going to want the lawn to be, whether you are going to have a deck area, and whether you want to lay a patio area.

Planting

If you are green fingered, you will probably have a good idea of the plants that you want to establish in your yard. However, you can still get plants and flowers if your gardening skills aren’t up to much too – just use containers. These are much easier to maintain than flowerbeds and can provide a much-needed boost of color all year round. 

Finishing Touches

Outdoor space should be usable in the evenings too, so you might want to think about the way the yard will be lit. Some people like fairy lights for a sparkly finish, or small solar lamps. Extra comfort options like cushions and outdoor rugs make any furniture more inviting and will encourage you and your guests to stay awhile in the evenings. 

Simple changes to your outdoor space can make such a difference to your yard and make it a place where you actively want to spend time.

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