Five Steps to Renovating Your Backyard
You probably remember that moment when you looked at your backyard and thought to yourself, “We need to do something about this place.” Maybe it’s been building over a few years. Maybe you just moved into a new home and you immediately knew that the space needed help.
However you came to the conclusion, we’d like to offer our five-steps on how to make sure your backyard renovation is done right the first time. This is about making your new outdoor living space the space your family and friends gather for decades to come.
Step 1: Get Inspired
Spending a good amount of time in your space will help you to see how the backyard changes throughout the day. Realizing how you want to use the backyard, whether it be in the sun or shade, will help you plan where features like a patio, water feature, fire pit, or seating area will work.
Robert Molinet, owner of Sierra Landscape Management, suggests, "Look around. Pay attention when you're traveling. Nature's clues are in plain sight."
During this time, you can arm yourself with ideas. Collecting your inspiration, whether it’s magazine clippings, Pinterest pins, or saved photos from a recent trip, will build your library of ideas.
Step 2: Assess Your Needs
This is where you determine what your needs are versus your wants. Do you really need a 2000-square-foot patio? Or did you hear someone else say that number? As Robert puts it, "Dream and dream reality." It's OK to dream big, but make sure those dreams actually align with how you live your life. Remember the whole reason for doing this is to be able to live better.
Sometimes we hear that clients want a new patio and outdoor kitchen, only to learn that they never entertain and generally do not care for BBQ. After lots of reflective conversation they find respite in a smaller flagstone patio butted up to a water feature that gives them what they really wanted, which was to have a place to relax. What are you hoping to achieve?
Step 3: Choose Your Style
This information may be part of what you’ve collected in Step 1. Through your inspiration pieces and Pinterest posts, you’ve probably been seeing the textures that you like.
Not only are we considering the materials for areas like your patio or retaining walls, but also the plants. How much maintenance are you planning on doing? Are you a gardener at heart? Or do you want to simply sit back and enjoy the space?
Many of our clients live in the mountains, woods, and rural farm communities. Are those settings more adapt to a rustic and natural aesthetic or will the urban influence that comes as people move outwards from the cities reign supreme with cleaner lines, and more linear views? You get to choose what is right for you!
Step 4: Go With Your Gut
Hiring the right contractor to get the job done is probably the most important step in the process. We have a detailed blog devoted to helping you to find someone that will create your vision. What type of discussion do you need to have to feel comfortable? It could be that your gut knows best!
Sharing your ideas and knowing that your contractor understands your vision are key to a good outcome. What signs will tell you that they are actually listening to YOUR ideas?
As the renovation progresses, don’t be afraid to voice your concerns if you see something that isn’t meeting your vision. It's always easier to recalibrate early if you think something may be misaligned. There’s a lot at stake here and the end result will be something you’re going to live with for many years. A strong process though will reveal enough information along the way that you shouldn't be left worrying about much.
Step 5: Make it Your Own
The day the crew packs up the trucks and heads out is probably going to be the start of your new outdoor living space life. Now is your time to add all of those personal touches that make it all yours.
The excitement kicks off getting the dining set in place, the fire pit lit up, and maybe even putting out the garden gnomes. Then it's time to call family and friends over. Share those stories and exchange some wisdom. Get ready for the oohs and aahs as people converge on your new outdoor living space.
For nearly two decades, Sierra Landscape Management has been helping homeowners garner their own backyard oohs and aahs. When you’re ready to turn your outdoor living space into a space for making new memories, Sierra will be waiting for your call. Find inspiration through past projects and learn about pricing to help you understand what will be within your budget.