8 Ways to Breathe New Life Into Your Backyard
Here's how to create an outdoor oasis that's all your own.
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Warm weather has finally arrived, and that means one thing: It’s backyard season. But after months of rain and snow, your outside oasis is probably looking a little more drab than fab. Before you call in the contractor for a full renovation, consider one of these eight easy ways to refresh your yard for the season ahead.
Stain your fence.
Think of your fence as the backdrop to your backyard: It’s not the star of the show, but everything looks a little better when it’s in perfect shape. Give it a facelift with a fresh coat of all-weather-proof stain, such as BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer.
Add an outdoor fire pit.
Create an (almost) all-season backyard by adding a fire pit for s’more-filled summer nights and cozy fall evenings. There’s a style for every taste on the market; this 30-inch option (with a spark screen cover) has a decorative bronzed steel base that would work well on a stone patio or in the yard.
Try hardscaping.
Your backyard doesn’t have to be one big expanse of grass (that can be a headache to take care of). For something different, add hardscaping — it could be stone, pavers, bricks, wood, or even gravel — to create a new terrace or outdoor room.
Here, Sarah Gibson of Room for Tuesday added a paver patio to anchor a fire pit and lounge area.
Stain your deck.
From neighborhood barbecues and pool parties to al fresco weeknight dinners, your deck sees a lot of action in the warm months. Refresh and protect it with a reliable stain, such as BEHR PREMIUM® Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer.
Plant a colorful and fragrant butterfly garden.
Flower beds can be a pain to maintain, so opt for something a little more wild: a butterfly garden that’s blissfully low-maintenance. Plant fuschia aster, bright pink cosmos, warm goldenrod, and monarch-favorite butterfly weed for a rainbow of blooms, many of which are perennials and will come back year after year.
Create an outdoor lounge.
Turn your patio — or even just a corner of your backyard — into a plush, relaxing lounge. While a comfy outdoor sofa is often the cornerstone of an al fresco living room, you can easily create a nap-worthy escape with some oversized floor pillows and extra blankets. Or heck, just string a hammock up and idle away the hours.
Plant an edible garden.
Whether you have a large plot of land or just a terrace with a few containers, create a garden that looks good while providing you with fresh food.
Plant your basics — tomatoes, herbs, lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, string beans — and add some unexpected varieties: savoy cabbage and winter red kale make for striking (and healthy) decoration, while many fruit trees, such as figs, pears, cherries, will thrive in containers. Bonus: Tending the plants is a great activity for the kids.
Change up the lighting.
Instead of a single source of light from a sconce or flood light attached to your house, add ambiance with a variety of fixtures. This picture-perfect patio uses an outdoor floor lanterns and tabletop candles with LED lights hung overhead.
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