Backyard Oasis Design contest

 backyard design  5 Responses »
Mar 162011
 

Successful backyard design adds to the comfort and use of your outdoor space and home. With proper planning you can manage your available space to its best space use.

I’ve lived in cities where the only available space was container gardens or windows. I rented and had to work out a system where you get a landlords permission to do any backyard activity and I’ve been blessed with unlimited space in a rural setting. All situations have challenges and steps to make the best use of any space available.

So even if you live in a city or town you will be able to find a way to use some of the space available to you even if it’s a windowsill, patio, balcony or rooftop.

One step in backyard or garden design is to simplify your work. You want a beautiful garden and living space but setting up an easy design with multiple uses for each space will give you more time to enjoy the yard and family activities.

So as a starting point consider these questions to help you design the perfect backyard oasis.

1. Uses for the yard. Is it mainly relaxation where a garden, patio or swimming area will be a focal point?
2. Ages that will use the yard. And will these ages be changing in a few years. This will determine if a backyard area is childproofed, if a pool is a useful option or if outdoor buildings such as a workshop or potting shed would be handy.
3. Is the size of your available space a major consideration? Will each area need to serve a variety of uses to encompass everyone’s needs? Is your available space limited to a porch or small space by a garage? Small spaces create challenges but make beautiful hideaways.
4. How to blend the new design in with your home and any design elements currently in place.
5. And most important is the amount of money and time you are willing to devote to planning a design for your living space.

Backyard Oasis is offering a contest from March 16th to 23rd to help you with backyard design. Just place a comment below this article on what area of your yard you would like to have a fresh new look for. Three selected ideas will have a design made for their yard. The designs will be made with cost effective plans.

Posted by Denise at 2:40 pm  Tagged with: , , , , ,

Plan your new Patio Design this Winter

 backyard design  No Responses »
Nov 082010
 

It is soon to be winter and most patios around the country will be sitting unused for a month to five months. So this will be the perfect time to be thinking about any patio improvements you might want to make for next year.

Upgrading or expanding your patio is not something you do on a whim. Take your time and look through magazines, online sites, and other resources to decide what improvements you want to make. I like to take a drive around my area and see what ideas others have used in their patio design, then add my own creative touches.

You may find ideas in your research to expand your patio and make it look better than a slab of concrete. By softening the edges and changing the shape you can create a new look to concrete. Change the landscaping around the patio to add layers, new color or blend the home and yard together.  By finishing the cement with texture, color and added stone you can have a unique inviting look that will match you landscape.

Slate is a great way to modernize a patio. A slate patio can be a beautiful choice. Just make sure the pieces are put together in the right way. Slate will add a look of elegance and style to your patio and come in a wide variety colors, sizes and textures. Slate is one of the more expensive choices in patio flooring, but if you plan on using your patio often for entertaining, it could be one of your best options.

And something as simple as changing patio furniture or adding shutters, a trellis or porch boxes can create a new atmosphere. You may also want to link the adjoining room in the house to the patio with color or a rug. This creates a flow from indoors to outdoors and the feel of more space.

Adding lighting to your patio will add that finishing touch, and create a relaxing atmosphere. There are many different lights and styles to choose from.

Benefits of patio lighting are the added safety, making it easier to walk around and illuminating steps and other objects in the yard. Lighting will extend the time that you spend on the patio. And by linking lighting from the patio into your landscape or walkways, you will again extend the feel of the patio to include your backyard.

And if you live in a town, you may want to add a screen, trellis, or fencing for added privacy. Tall plants such as potted bamboo or tropical plants can also create a living wall for privacy.

So take the time this winter while things are slow, to come up with ideas for your patio, and you’ll be ready to give new life to your patio area when spring begins. My patio has needed redone for years and I have already started new plans and designs.

Posted by Denise at 9:30 pm  Tagged with: , , , ,
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