Plan for your backyard to change with your family.
Where do we start?
When it comes to a backyard renovation, you're likely consumed with thoughts about how large the patio should be, where the grill is going to go, how big of a picnic table you'll need, and what plants are going to go where. We love thinking about the design, but have you stopped to consider how your backyard with grow with your family?
It's easy to get excited about what the renovation will look like when the dust settles. After the trucks and crew leave and you walk out into your new outdoor living space, how will it grow (or shrink) with your family?
The early years…
Will you start off with a play area for little ones? Maybe you don't even have little ones yet. If that's something your planning for the future, why wouldn't your backyard be ready for them now and what they'll need in the future? Maybe you'll need drainage to prevent that reserved space from turning into a swamp on rainy days. It's one of those expenses you don't get to see, but can be essential to a happy backyard.
As we grow…
Fast-forward a few years. You have pre-teens or teens. That area set up for the jungle gym is falling apart and has a family of squirrels using it far more than the kids have in the last five years. That area may also be an ideal location for a swimming pool or a fire pit. Remember what I said about drainage? Fire pits don't work well if they're soaking in water.
A new journey…
Let's also consider when it comes time to being empty-nesters. You can picture yourself on your patio with your significant other, the sounds of birds (or crickets if you're a night-owl), and a bottle of your favorite wine. What could be better than that? How about the kids and grandkids stopping by for a barbecue? Is that patio big enough for everyone? Do you need that playground area back? Or was everyone born with gills and that pool is looking really good about now.
It’s all about you…
While planning, make sure you cover your own personal tastes. Do you need a shady spot to dine during the summer? A pergola may be the ticket. Or perhaps you're into getting as much Vitamin D as possible. Then a wide-open patio should be on your list. Do you enjoy the sound of water? I highly recommend a water feature of some sort. I put one in last year and I wish I had done it sooner. And if you're a night-owl like me, some strategically placed lighting not only guides you through the yard, but can highlight some of those beautiful features you had put in.
Careful planning can also weed out future problems. Drainage, retaining walls, stairs, and privacy all need to be considered to ensure that your new outdoor living space doesn't pick up any new problems through the years.
In the grand scheme of things, the point of building a nature-inspired back yard is to reconnect with our primal roots of nature. There's no way to predict the future, but you can take steps to make the most of your property and create a space that can change with your needs. We invite you to visit our website for inspiration. When you're ready to discuss how to best utilize your backyard, we'll be ready to talk.