Changing Your Backyard: Three Facelifts That Will Work Wonders

When you first bought your house, one of two thoughts ran through your mind when you saw the backyard for the first time. Either you thought, “I love the way this looks”, or you thought, “*something* sure would look nice here”. Over time you may have forgotten your big plans for the yard, but it is never too late to give the backyard a facelift. With these additions, your backyard will have new life and you will see your whole house in a new light. Here are three of the things that you might want to consider.

Pergola

One of the trendiest things in outdoor decorating right now is the pergola. This is either an attached or free standing structure that you can put in your yard. The structure is made with several tall supports and a roof that has slats in it to allow sunlight to come through. There are no walls, so you get the experience of sitting outside, without sitting in direct sun the entire time. A pergola is an excellent addition to the yard because they can be used as supports for vines and wall climbing plants, and they add some sophistication to the home. The problem with pergolas is the installation, as there are not many people around who know how to take a pergola kit and anchor it in the ground the way that it needs to be anchored.

Deck

A more traditional approach to the back yard is the installation of a deck. Years ago, a deck was something that every homeowner wanted, and every homeowner despised once it was constructed. Decks needed constant maintenance and care, otherwise the wood would rot or warp and the deck would be useless. Modern materials, like vinyl, have made for maintenance free decks, and it is now possible to install a deck today that will look brand new ten years from now. These decks are also stain resistant, so even children and everyday use will not cause the deck to lose its appearance. Decks are a terrific place to put a grill and a picnic table, allowing your friends and family to enjoy each other’s company outside. The problem that most people will run into with a deck is when they try to build it themselves. Proper deck installation requires experience and expertise, so deck construction is best left to professionals.

Sunroom

If you have the money to spend and you want to create a comfortable outdoor area that can be used all year round, then a sunroom is your best choice. A sunroom takes a deck or patio and incorporates that into the rest of the home. This means the installation of walls and usually you will have to run some electrical lines to the sunroom. Even with these issues, sunrooms have the benefit of being available all year long, as long as you cool it during the summer and heat it during the winter, there is no reason not to use your sunroom. The problem with a sun room is the cost. Sunrooms are considerably more expensive than other adjustments you could make to the home. In addition, a sunroom can actually decrease the appeal of your home to potential buyers, as they might not wish to have so much of their backyard enclosed.

There are a lot of ways to spruce up the appearance of your backyard and make it more open and inviting to guests, as well as making it more appealing to buyers. The structure that you build depends on what kind of outdoor area you want and how much you are willing to spend, but know that even a little bit of money in the backyard can have a long and lasting effect.

I am Kimberly Vermillion, and I recently went through a home exterior renovation. While we were working on the home, I looked at some decks and other options we had, and I thought about how these items would change the look of the backyard. My husband and I agreed to have a custom deck built by the team at Deck Craft Custom Decks (www.deckcraftcustomdecks.com) and we are thrilled. We have more seating and more room than ever before and company loves to come over and visit us on warm summer evenings. I highly recommend Deck Craft to anyone who wants to update the look of their backyard.