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Maximize Your Yard Potential for Outdoor Living

There are many things that make a house a home. But when you maximize your yard potential, you get so much more than somewhere to live. You get somewhere to enjoy life. So, with that in mind, here are a few tips to help you make the most of the outdoor space available to you.

Visualize the End Result

A vision of the result will help you get what you want. There are tons of ways you can make the most of the outdoor space you have. A lush lawn is one of the most sought-after features. However, it isn’t easy. The weather, sunlight, and even the soil type can get in the way. But don’t worry. You can learn to grow a golf course lawn online with various treatments. But nothing should get in the way of dreaming of an emerald sea across the stretch of your personal oasis!

Maximize Your Yard with a Plan

Planning is a key part of any project, no matter how small or large. So many things can go wrong when you don’t plan your yard. Around 77 million Americans own roughly 1.3 billion acres of land, and what you do with yours is your business. But a little planning goes a long way:

  • Use a floor plan to lay out the different sections of the garden and their function.
  • Work with what you have and factor in things that can’t be changed or moved.
  • Work to a budget and come up with a reasonable timeline for getting the job done.

Add Easy Upgrades

What comes to mind when you think of upgrading the backyard? For most people, decking and patios immediately spring to mind. Whether you already have one or not, they are a much-loved part of most gardens. Installing a new patio or decking adds much more functional space to your outdoor areas. Of course, they also need maintenance and don’t last forever. So, it may also be time to spruce up your existing decking or patios with a lick of paint or maybe a renovation.

Maximize Your Yard with Divisions

There is limited space in pretty much every outdoor area. So, working with the space you have is vital. One easy way to do this is to divide up the area into zones. Zoning like this allows you to work with what’s available while modernizing your space for the functionality that you desire:

  • Referring to a floor plan, divide up the areas of the garden you want to use.
  • Set a good area for a patio or decking immediately next to external doors.
  • Think about the flow between zones, accounting for obstacles and paving.

Add a Lighting Scheme

Lighting can make a huge difference when it comes to getting the effect you want. Of course, it doesn’t make much of a difference during the day, except for style aesthetics. But when the sun goes down, the lighting scheme you choose comes alive! Try mixing colors and brightness across various features. For example, include illuminated pathways and lit-up trees. You can also get more control and features by using smart lighting, which you can also control remotely.

Maximize Your Yard with Cool Features

There are tons of cool features you can add to a garden. A fountain is an example. However, even a small fountain takes about 5 gallons to fill and needs topping off twice per week. So, some maintenance goes into the functional space. But you can also consider these:

  • Water features are always a great addition to a yard and offer relaxation as well as fun.
  • Outdoor kitchens transform your yard to a whole new level with outdoor cooking.
  • There’s nothing quite like a cozy fire pit for enjoying all your garden has to offer.

Don’t Forget About Shade

Most people talk about using light to its best advantages when designing pretty much any space. But hardly anyone mentions shade. But why? Shade is highly beneficial in a garden space. Shade blocks too much sun from damaging your prized plants. It also provides somewhere cooler to relax in the hot summer. However, a shaded area also makes a children’s play area much safer by limiting the kids’ exposure to harmful UV rays when playing outside.

Making Your Yard Pest-Free

A pest-free yard is important to enjoying outdoor spaces fully. Begin by getting rid of standing water that serves as breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Mow your lawn regularly, trimming overgrown vegetation that attracts ticks and other bugs. Plant natural repellent plants like lavender or marigolds to ward off bugs. Investigate nests or burrows immediately if found. Get in contact with pest control professionals, such as Aptive pest control if necessary, to make sure that rodents, spiders, or termites don’t invade and take over.

Summary

A clear vision of what you want will help maximize your yard potential for your next project. Dividing the space into zones also helps when deciding on the functional parts of the yard. However, you should also include shade in a cooler place to relax and get out of the sun.

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Karen LeBlanc

Karen LeBlanc is a travel host and writer with a popular travel show, The Design Tourist, and a companion lifestyle blog. As a widely published travel journalist and content creator, Karen is a member of the North American Travel Journalists Association. She also serves as the Design and Travel editor of the national lifestyle magazine, LaPalme. Karen believes that every destination has a story to tell through its local art, architecture, culture, and craft. This immersive creative exploration begins with authentic accommodations where the narrative of place unfolds through art, accessories, accouterments, furnishings, fixtures, and food. 

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