Weekend Projects: 5 Quick and Easy Backyard Makeover Ideas

backyard makeover ideasAre you looking for backyard makeover ideas you can complete in a weekend? You’re in the right place! Here at Structurally Speaking, we would love to transform your backyard with a new deck. However, designing a custom deck does take time. So if you want to see an immediate change, here are a five ideas you can use in the meantime.

Add a Cozy Fire Pit and Seating Area

First and foremost, we believe it’s important to think about the overall vibe you want for your backyard transformation. Many homeowners want the space to feel cozy and welcoming. If that’s the look and feel you’re going for, nothing could be better than adding a fire pit.

Fire pits need to be safe, which means you should have your pit away from your home and uncovered. We recommend a pit that has a grate to prevent any debris or sparks from catching in the wind. You can buy a fire pit or you can built your own using bricks or cinder blocks. (Keep in mind, you need to make sure the type of bricks or blocks you choose are safe for extreme heat and flames.) In both cases, we love to create a seating area using stones or sand, which sets this area apart from the rest of your yard and ensures no plants are close enough to catch fire.

Spruce Up the Space with Color

One of the easiest ways to transform your backyard is to add a splash of color. When you paint a room or otherwise add color inside your house, it makes a big visual impact. The same is true for your outdoor living space. Here are easy ways to add color to your backyard:

  • Paint your fence a bold color (make sure you own the fence or have written permission to do so if it’s the backside of your neighbor’s fence).
  • Add a brightly-colored outdoor rug in a fun pattern.
  • Recover your outdoor furniture or add colored cushions and pillows.
  • Drape sheer colored fabric from a pavilion or roof to create a cabana look.
  • Paint your planters in your favorite color scheme.

All these backyard makeover ideas are easy to complete in a weekend. On top of that, you can easily change these colors as your tastes change. You can even have different colored decor for different seasons if you want to switch it out regularly.

Create an Oasis Using Native Plants

Native plants can add a lot of impact. Many homeowners simply have some grass and trees in their backyard. However, you can pretty easily add other plants, including climbing species such as ivy that can cover a pergola, fence, or railing. We recommend using plants that are native to North Carolina so you are not damaging the ecosystem.

However, what if you want plants that don’t grow well in our climate? Or, what if you want the visual impact of plants but don’t have time for the maintenance? You can actually use faux plants to create the serene oasis you want in your backyard. Look for faux plants that are specifically made for outdoor use. That way, they won’t fade or otherwise be destroyed by the weather as quickly.

Cover Backyard Eyesores

An easy way to make a big visual impact for your new outdoor living space is to identify eyesores and cover them. Our backyards have to be functional, but they don’t have to be ugly! Here are some examples:

  • Build a rolling countertop to cover your outdoor grill that can move out of the way when you want to actually cook.
  • Hide your outdoor garbage cans using screens or covered storage.
  • Plant shrubs or use fencing/screens to hide outdoor HVAC units (just make sure your don’t block airflow).

We also recommend pretty storage solutions. Rather than a generic outdoor shed, for example, you can add benches with built-in storage.

Refresh Your Decking

If you have a deck, it can make a big difference to refresh the decking material. This is one of our favorite backyard makeover ideas! Most homeowners have pressure-treated pine decks, which start to look gray over time. Composite decking and other types of wood can also discolor or fade. Depending on the material used for your deck, sometimes even just power washing can really change your backyard. You may also want to sand and stain or paint your deck to really change the look.

No deck? No problem! We’d love to help. Here at Structurally Speaking, we love custom deck projects and would be happy to help you with your backyard makeover. If you call us on a Friday, we can’t promise to have your deck done by Monday, but we can meet with you to determine a timeline and budget for your deck project.

FAQs About Our Backyard Makeover Ideas

Do you have questions about changing the look of your backyard? We’d love to answer any questions you may have about adding a deck or other type of outdoor living space. Here are a few frequently asked questions we hear:

Can you design around a beloved tree?

Yes! We know that some homeowners love certain trees. It would be our pleasure to help you design a deck around a tree using our best design ideas. We have lots of options to suit every taste.

Do decks add value to a home?

In general, most outdoor living spaces will add value to your home, and decks are no exception. Decks can make it easier to sell and will increase your property value. Renovating your backyard is almost always worth the cost.

What if I have a small backyard?

We’d love to help! We work with homes of all sizes, and transforming a small backyard with a beautiful deck is a challenge we love. Contact us today to talk about your backyard, no matter what the size.