More Backyard Landscape Ideas

The best reason to pursue your own backyard landscape ideas is to make your home a better place for you and your family. Some people consider return on investment as a primary reason for making these improvements. In my opinion, financial results should be secondary. If they happen - BONUS.

Many improvements are NOT good investments. But would you deny your kids a swimming pool just because you’ll only get a 20% return? Do it for the right reasons.

And think about how often you’ll use the improvement. If you have the opportunity, you might try it out first – at a friend’s or neighbor’s house.

If the gazebo is too small, it’s not very functional. In my opinion, you need a 12 ft. diameter in order to comfortably fit a table and chairs inside.

If it’s not screened in, it won’t get used much. It usually becomes an extra thing to maintain and ends up just looking pretty in a corner of your backyard.

On the other hand, if you’re convinced the gazebo will get used, it could serve as a cozy and romantic spot for two. Or it could be a get-away for the kids, or for the men to have a cigar.

This is one of those backyard landscape ideas that really should be determined by your family's lifestyle. If you’re going forward, use comfortable seating and don’t go for the hard wood benches that are sometimes offered. And definitely screen it in.

Storage Sheds – Here is one of the better backyard landscape ideas for adding value to your home because storage sheds effectively add living space while providing space for things like boats, lawn equipment, camping equipment, or other items that don’t belong inside the house.

If your thinking about increasing the value of your house, avoid the cheap pre-fabricated versions of sheds, or those made of plastic or light-gauge metal.

Start with a LEVEL cement pad, and then make the shed out of wood. For the best appearance, apply siding and paint that to match the house. Hinged doors are more functional than sliding doors.

Backyard Fireplaces – I love this idea. It offers a warm place to sit and talk, and it keeps the bugs away at the same time. They are available in several styles, and you can always have one of your own design built for you.

Of course the easiest and cheapest (initially) is the old-fashioned version where you actually burn wood. This will even smell like a fireplace when you use it.

Free-standing units are available in clay, cast iron, and cast aluminum, and start at about $200. The other option (which will cost more up front but be easier to use and keep clean) is the gas fired unit. Whatever turns you on.

Several models are movable (not while lit please). Try to incorporate a fireplace, or pit, into your patio or deck (no longer allowed on wooden decks) area so that you create a gathering niche.

But be careful. Of all the backyard landscape ideas you can think of, this requires your attention whenever you use it. There have been instances where people have gotten injured, or houses have been damaged resulting from careless use of these fireplaces. Use your head.

Backyard fireplaces became popular about 10 years ago. Many towns now have requirements and restrictions to insure safety. They are part of an overall trend to bring the living room outside. Maybe you can figure that out – I can’t.

If you want more information about backyard fire places, fire pits, and many other backyard landscape ideas, visit Premier Fit Pits.

Swimming Pools – Not one of the backyard landscape ideas I recommend. You’ll spend over $50,000 for an in-ground pool, including a mandatory fence, and some decking (but that price doesn’t include accessories).

Your backyard will be a mess for 4 or 5 weeks, so don’t do this in the summer time. And you’ll only add about $10,000 to the value of the house. You will increase your insurance premiums, and you’ll incur a steady flow of new bills for chemicals and maintenance. (You can probably tell that I'm not a big swimmer myself).

On the other hand, it will provide lots of enjoyment for the family, as well as visitors. It can also be very pretty if you find ways to blend it in with the surrounding landscape. New technology has added several options.

One of the most popular is a vanishing edge. Water drains over an edge and into a hidden recirculation basin, giving the illusion that your pool is missing a wall. Very sexy.

Another twist is the zero entry pool. It’s meant to simulate a shoreline. These pools have a gradual slope as an entry instead of the traditional stairs.

You can complete the effect by adding sand around the outside of the pool. You could really get crazy. When it's all done, invite Jimmy Buffet over for a quick dip.

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Hot Tubs – Some backyard landscape ideas you either love to death, or you couldn’t care less. If you’re one of the latter, don’t even think about it. If your one of the former, you should probably do it.

But how do you know which of these you are? Try it at someone’s house, or at a hotel while on vacation. Then, if you can’t stop wishing you had one, go for it.

The initial cost will be about $5,000 installed. Your electric bill will go up about $30 a month. But if you love it, it’s worth it.

It’s especially nice at night, when you can look at the stars. Occasionally you can spot a satellite going by. At the right time of year, you could catch a glimpse of a shooting star.

Learn about astrology. Airplanes even become interesting if you’re drinking the right stuff. In the end, it’s all about pampering yourself, isn’t it?

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For ideas concerning above ground pool decks, click here.

For lots of good information about gardening, visit Your Garden Retreat Blog.

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