Easy Ways to Update Your Backyard This Summer

by Gema Smith 08/09/2020

Image by Gr8 from Shutterstock

Summer is a great time of the year. Long sunny days, short warm nights, and clear weather that stretches across the sky. Summer is a season to savor. An excellent way to enjoy summer is by taking your living outside and relaxing in the backyard. If your backyard is cringe-worthy rather than show-stopping, it’s time for a makeover. Upgrading your backyard does not necessarily mean you will need to spend a hefty sum of money; there are some uncomplicated ways you can improve your backyard this summer without breaking the bank.

  • Shine up the area: Scrub the tables, chairs, and other furniture in your backyard. Simple cleaning is enough to give your yard the facelift it needs.

  • Get rid of some stuff: Sort through your gardening tools, plant pots,  toys and bikes in your backyard. Give away or sell the things you don't use. Invest in a storage unit to hide occasional or seasonal use items like lawnmowers, snowblowers, that edger, and the rototiller.

  • Invest in furniture: A comfortable patio chair, table, and even a hammock can all help make your backyard more attractive and ready for entertaining. Look for mid-season discounts and specials to find the best deal.

  • Put in a pathway: Consider installing a path with gravel, sand, or stone. Use the trail to indicate the specific areas of the yard, such as a play area for corn hole or bocce, a dining spot to entertain guests, a fire pit or a garden.

  • Eliminate bugs: Hanging out in your backyard during summer is a beautiful experience, but that experience can turn sour when bugs come around. Invest in deterrents such as citronella, lavender, lemon-grass, marigolds, rosemary, or sage to ensure your space is a bug-free.

  • Be decorative with the lights: If you have a tree in your backyard, wrap string lights around the trunks to get a soft glow or hang fairy lights from the branches. The soft light is ideal for a summer get-together. You can also install solar-powered fixtures around your patio or deck give your backyard a fresh look.

  • Fix the fence: If your fence is intact, a simple cleaning or coat of paint may do the trick. However,  if boards are coming loose or it’s missing a few rails, installing a new fence or doing some repair will create the perfect backdrop in your outdoor entertainment space.

Upgrading your backyard is easy and budget-friendly. Most of these projects you can do yourself, but for your fence installation ensure that you contact a professional fence installer for the best possible results. If you’re preparing your home to place it on the market, ask your realtor which outdoor projects will provide the best impression.

About the Author
Author

Gema Smith

Gema S. Smith has been an influential pioneer in the luxury real estate industry for over 30 years. With a reputation for providing first-class service and garnering impeccable results for her clients, Gema’s accomplishments have earned her mentions in San Jose Magazine as well as two State of California Senate Certificates of Recognition.