Tag: yard

Securing your back yard

Securing your back yard

There are plenty of seasonal things that you can do with your backyard to make it stand out for summer, but not everything in a garden is seasonal in nature. For example, you may plant flowers or vegetables seasonally, but security is a year-round thing. There are certain times of the year that you would worry more about your backyard security than others. For example, in the summer, you may forget to pack away the BBQ. In the wintertime, you might be worried about the darker evenings, meaning your home is more susceptible to a break in.

Either way, making your backyard more secure is a great way to ensure your insurance company is happy with the way your house is protected, and it gives you that peace of mind that you need as you lock up your home at bedtime. Let’s look at some tasks you can carry out that can help you with securing your back yard.

  1. Install outdoor security cameras

    Having outdoor security cameras is a great idea, especially if you have a tall fence that you’ve installed so that you can have the cameras on top of it. Security cameras can be positioned so that every nook and cranny of your backyard is visible on the tape. When you have cameras that have great resolution, you’ll be able to see what you need to see and feel secure in the knowledge that your garden is not a hidden zone for people to hide in.

  2. Get a video doorbell

    You can use these for the front door and/or the back door so that you can log into your property at any time from any place with a wireless connection. If somebody rings your doorbell when you’re at work, you can check your app and see who’s standing waiting to be let in. It allows you to see and speak to anybody present via two-way audio, which can be really helpful if you’re worried about checking the front door, and you’re not expecting any guests.

  3. Add practical lighting

    Outdoor security lighting can be added around the perimeter of your home, and they can be done with motion sensors. You don’t want to choose anything too bright so that it disturbs you or your neighbours, but having it is better as a deterrent than you think. Not only will your backyard be bathed in light so that the camera can pick up whoever is sneaking around out there, but having that lighting can be an immediate deterrent for somebody who’s looking to break into your home.

  4. Lock up valuables in your garden storage

    If you have an outdoor pizza oven, barbecue or similar, you need to secure it. You can fix some things to the floor via concrete or via chains, but with items that you can’t, it’s a good idea to make sure that they’re kept in some kind of outdoor storage or shed that has a weatherproof, rustproof combination padlock. Having one of these can prevent thieves breaking in.

  5.  

Often, a very tall fence with unclimbable paint or thorny hedge is a great way to make sure nobody is going to break into your home. It keeps your garden secure and makes you and your family feel like you are protected.

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How to use your front yard in the right way

How to use your front yard in the right way

What does your front yard do for your home right now? If the answer is not a lot, and you know there’s more it could be doing, and you’re just not using it in the right way, don’t worry – it can be hard to know quite what to do.

The good news is there are lots of options, so you’re sure to find something that works and makes your front yard – and the rest of your house – look great. With that in mind, here are some of the ideas you might want to put in place so you can start using your front yard in the right way.

Make a welcoming entryway

The entrance to your home is the first thing visitors will see, and it’s going to give them an impression of your home – positive or negative. Of course, many people start by making their front doors or hallways look good, but it starts way before that; if you have a front yard, it starts there.

In order to use your front yard to make a welcoming entryway, you’ll need to keep it neat and tidy, and you might want to incorporate some of the other ideas on this list to help you make it look wonderful. The pathways need to be weed-free, and landscaping needs to be well-maintained, and it’s also a good idea to install some lighting so visitors can find their way to and from your home. These are just a few examples of what you can do.

Create a driveway

Are you a gardener? If you don’t really like gardening, then giving yourself less to do in that department is a great idea. Do you have a car or other vehicle? If you do, and you need somewhere to park it, the solution is a simple one – turn at least part of your front yard into a fantastic-looking driveway. Opting for an exposed aggregate is a great idea, as this is an extremely hard-wearing option that, as long as it’s installed professionally, will keep looking great for years to come with hardly any maintenance required.

Once you have a driveway, your parking problems will become a lot easier, and you’ll be able to invite guests over without them having to worry about where they’re going to park their car.

Add seating

Something that always works well in a front yard, assuming you have a nice view and you’re not located on a busy street, for example, is a seating area. Although most people will assume seating is only for the back garden, the truth is that if you have the space, adding a bench, a small bistro set or perhaps a swing seat can be a great thing to do.

When you have seating at the back and front of your home, you’ll always be able to find the ideal spot to enjoy some peace and quiet, read a book, drink your coffee or do anything else you want to do – you can pick one garden for the morning and another for the evening, depending on where the sun is, for example. And, of course, if there’s no room at the back, using the front yard to give yourself a place to relax makes a lot of sense.

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What to consider when revamping your backyard

What to consider when revamping your backyard

You may love spending time in your backyard, or you may dread the thought of heading outside. Whichever your feelings, it’s probably worth giving some thought to how you can make your outdoor space more enjoyable.

A little research and a few simple changes can go a long way towards transforming an uninspiring space into one that feels much more welcoming. Here are some things you need to think about when setting about revamping your backyard.

Painting your fence

The fence around your backyard is an important part of the overall aesthetic of your outdoor space. This can be the gateway to an entirely different space, or it can offer a simple way to add colour and interest to a more understated backyard. You can choose to paint your fence any colour at all, or you could make use of something that goes well with your house’s exterior and garden themes.

Add a garden bench

Gardening is a hobby that many people enjoy. It’s also one where there are plenty of ways you can get creative and make use of what already exists in your yard and what you bring outside with you on your adventures in soil. If that describes you, consider adding a garden bench to the yard and making it an anchor point for other elements like hammocks or tables.

The bench is relatively easy to set up, and it offers comfort while allowing you to relax and enjoy the surroundings by yourself or with friends. If being social isn’t really something that interests you, consider putting this area under cover so guests will never have any reason not to stop by when they’re hanging out by your pool.

Build an outdoor fireplace

While fireplaces have always been popular for added ambience when reading, they’re far more economical options for those who want the warmth of flames without spending a huge amount of money on log sets or wood to burn.

Depending on where you live and what climate conditions are like out there, fireplaces come pretty cheaply if you want something that looks nice enough to hang alongside your porch and give off any required ambience but doesn’t break the bank whatsoever. You might also want to bring in outdoor kitchen islands with grill so you can grill some meat when you have functions or meetings. The grill is usually sturdy and portable.

Update your planting

People often neglect the plants they grow in their backyard. But, you can use different techniques like pruning, deadhead and trimming to retain the great look of your planting. For example, if you want to change the look of your outdoor planting, then it’s best if you trim it occasionally.

Another way to do this is by pruning your plants, which will make them to be more compact and even look more beautiful. Running a pair of clippers through a tree or having someone else do it for you is easy. This will cut off the dead branches where needed, and this can help the plant’s health as well. You could also use low-growing plants like Lemon grass, myrtle and bay trees instead of tall ones.

Create an outdoor meeting area

Whether you like sitting alone in the evenings reading or spending time in your garden socialising with friends, outdoor seating is incredibly useful for enjoying time outside.

It doesn’t need to be permanent. You can simply add some folding chairs to a spot on your property and enjoy a beautiful sunset or sunny weather. If you’re not sure where to start, consider starting with a couple of deckchairs.

Use modern outdoor lights

Outdoor lights are an awesome idea for adding a contemporary and modern feel to your property. They’re a perfect alternative to expensive chandeliers and lamps. While lighting might change over time, it’s always a good idea to have light in at least one area in your yard. This area should be more than enough to light up your garden at night, especially when you have guests over.

Conclusion

Getting the right layout and plan for your backyard can open up your home and expand its space while also ensuring a relaxing retreat that you can use at any time of day. After all, having a yard is often an important aspect of a home. It’s the place where you can spend time on your own, with loved ones or host outdoor parties with friends and neighbours.

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Secret gardens: 7 small backyard design ideas

Secret gardens: 7 small backyard design ideas

Do you want to turn your outdoor space into an urban oasis where you can relax and unwind?

The outdoor furniture market was over $15.7 billion in 2020, and it continues to grow. The growth is down to the number of people turning their backyards into something unique. Many people still think you need a large area and a lot of money. But today, this post will show you small backyard design ideas on a budget! All you have to do is keep reading until the end!

1. Build a bar

It wasn’t so long ago when people believed that home bars were only for the rich and famous. These days, with the aid of the internet, erecting a DIY bar has never been easier. You can buy cheap or second-hand bars. But if you build a bar from scratch, you can design it to the style and vibe you want in your little paradise. Not to mention, you can save on your hard-earned cash!

2. Tables and chairs

If you want to enjoy a drink from your bar, you need a place to sit and relax. If you have the space, think about adding an outdoor sofa, they add a lot of value and comfort to your area. Don’t worry if you have a small or narrow backyard. There’s furniture designed for compact spaces, and they usually fold up when not in use.

3. Grow plants, fruit and vegetables

The best small backyard landscaping idea is to grow plants and crops. If you’re unable to undertake the work yourself, you can hire a contractor such as landscape services Alpharetta GA. The plants’ vibrant colours will brighten up your outdoor space – especially during the spring and summer months. Growing fruit and veg can save you money and is a fun activity. You can even try turning fruit into some home-made wine or cider. You should start using Holmes Lawn & Pest control to keep the nasty pests away from plants and flowers!

4. Build a storage shed

How many times have you been meaning to get move your tools, but you have nowhere to put them. Well, now you do! The best part is you have a place to store items you want to keep away from kids.

5. Cook outdoors

A BBQ is one of the best small backyard ideas for entertaining guests. And when word gets out about how delicious your grilling is, you can expect much more visitors. Nobody wants to be stuck cooking inside when the weather is nice. So enjoy the weather with a drink in one hand and a spatula in the other.

6. Set your backyard alight

That’s right, set your backyard alight… with lights! The lighting can determine your vibe and atmosphere. If you want a fairy-tale setting, get some very bright white lights, and line them along the walls. If you want a hipster vibe, go for multi-coloured mix match bulbs. Just make sure to get ones that fit your setting.

7. A fire pit

A blazing fire pit puts a spark into your small backyard! When the sun does down, the cold night starts to creep into your backyard. But you can cosy up around the fire pit and fend it off. You can even start making s’mores!

Use these small backyard design ideas

Everyone deserves a slice of heaven. And by using these small backyard design ideas, you can turn that dream into a reality! You know what to do, so now it’s time to clear your backyard and start getting to work. And if want more small design ideas for the rest of your home, continue reading our blog for free!

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