What To Consider When Planning For A Backyard Remodel!

Creating a perfect home is not all about interior decorations! It should be about creating a lovely outdoor atmosphere as well. Understanding that, more and more property owners are choosing to remodel their backyards. They aim to create the ideal stay-cation. Thus, they’re extending living and entertaining space beyond their house’s walls.

Like indoor remodel, backyard remodels need careful designing, planning, and implementation. This will ensure that you get the best outcome possible. Thus, there are some important factors you must consider in yard remodeling. In this article, we’ll look at some of those factors. So, without further ado, let us get right into it!

Lifestyle

Before you upgrade your backyard, think about how you use the backyard now. Also, think about how you intend to use it in the future! For instance, you’re intending to use it for playing sports, relaxing, or entertaining. Whichever the case, you must plan the design to match your lifestyle. Doing so will help you to make the most use of your backyard space.

Pets and kids

If you have kids at home, it is important to take more safety measures. This will ensure that the backyard is as kid-friendly as possible. Hire an experienced redesigning contractor to set up kid-friendly hardscapes and plants. They can also create an extra playing room and do proper fencing. The extra room can either be a treehouse, cubby, or any preferred home playground.

For pets, ask the contractor to install some extras like a stream or splash fountain for some fun. If you want something permanent, you can add a small pond or pool. Large trees are also ideal for shade. Moreover, like kids, make sure you fence the backyard completely.

Entertainment

Longer days and warm summer nights are ideal for outdoor entertainment. Thus, you can extend your home living area by adding an entertainment space in your backyard. Outdoor entertainment tends to be relaxing, fun, and low-maintenance. It allows guests and hosts to enjoy a casual social time.

When building a tranquil outdoor area, design the ideal structure. It should balance outdoor aesthetics, entertainment, and functionality, depending on your property location.

Do you host BBQ parties? Then adding a small kitchen in your backyard will come in handy.

For your guests, add a comfortable nook as well as soft outdoor plush pillows and lounge chairs. You can also design a fire pit for roasting marshmallows.

Gardening and Landscaping

Some homeowners love beautiful hardscape structures for curb charm. This even becomes their main focus of remodeling a backyard. While others enjoy spending time nurturing live garden components and cultivating plants.

Also, consider the maintenance of the newly-reconstructed yard. Who will maintain it? Maintenance is very important. It will determine the appeal of your yard in the long run.

Also, make a list of the plants you intend to cultivate in your backyard. While doing so, consider going with low-maintenance and more drought-tolerant options. Especially if you’re planning to spend a lot of time maintaining them.

Topography

The topography is somehow related to your landscape. So, before you start your project, become acquainted with your area’s soil type and climate.

Determine whether shade or sun exposure has any impact on your yard’s microclimate. You may realize that some parts receive full sun exposure. While others get a deep shade or partial shade. This will help you or your contractor to select the best plants for your backyard.

Besides that, determine how water drains and moves in your yard’s landscape. This will make the remodeling process more seamless and easier.

Budget

Set and create the budget for your backyard remodeling project. Unlike interior redesigning projects, try to set more money for maintenance purposes. Those maintenance costs usually end up in the backyard’s landscape. Combine them with the costs of maintaining other elements like pools and fire pits.

Also, consider things like financing your current backyard remodel projects. For beginners, redesigning an outdoor space might seem overwhelming. So, consult someone who recently remodeled their backyard. Also, you can work closely with the contractor or compare quotes.

The right remodel contractor

Are you planning to take the DIY approach to remodel your backyard? If not, make sure you hire the right remodeling contractor for your project to be successful. Your area must have many design-build contractors. So, take your time and look for the right contractor who will turn your dream into a reality!

Now, are you ready to give your outdoor living space an upgrade? A backyard remodel doesn’t have to be costly. Sometimes, simple steps can make a big change. Check out a list of backyard design ideas to help you transform your green space into a beautiful oasis!

Step 1:Build a Pergola or an arbor

Ensure this structure has a minimum height of 7 feet to promote safe clearance. If you intend to train climbing plants so that they can grow over it, add another 18”.

Step 2: Create a walkway

Choose coarse-textured paving materials and lay them as 1-2% slope. This will make them hazard-free and promote water runoff.

Step 3: Locate the utilities before excavating

This will prevent you from hitting pipes when excavating trenches or changing grades.

Step 4: Know the plant’s mature size at planting time

Make sure you space the plants accordingly to sustain their largest size.

Step 5: Primary paths should be 5 feet wide and above

As for the secondary paths, they can be less than 5 feet wide. Yet, their width should not be less than 3 feet. This ensures they still keep a hospitable and pleasant passage.

Step 6: Don’t crowd patios or pathways

Set tall plants (over 30 inches high) at least 3 ft. from the backyard’s edge.

Step 7: Leave 3 ft. of open space around the outdoor furniture for easy passage

The most comfortable patios accommodate 1 person per 4 sq. ft.

Step 8: Create a laid-back atmosphere

Block out hard winds, public areas, and hot sun using perennials, trees, and shrubs.

Step 9: Consider the balance between planting and lawn areas

Creating a low-maintenance garden will allow you to enjoy its beauty. Furthermore, you can use it for recreation.

Step 10: Risers should 6” high or less for convenient navigation

After determining the rise, use the following equation: RUN= 26” – (2 X RISE). It will help you to determine the ideal measurement of the run. Put landings after every 4th or 5th step if the stairway has over 10 steps.