Happy Fourth of July Weekend!
When we think of the Fourth of July holiday we envision family and friends gathering for barbecues and good old fashioned fun poolside in our outdoor open spaces. If you are less than proud of your backyard then now is the time to make the decision about how you want to transform your space into your own private oasis. You may be looking at landscaping and hardscaping backyards, pools, patios, decks and most likely a combination. There are several benefits to transforming your backyard including increasing home value, creating more aesthetically appealing surroundings and gaining a renewed sense of pride when hosting friends and family.
Research: The First Step with any Project
So now that you have admitted that your backyard looks outdated and needs a complete transformation you must figure out where to begin. Here are my tips for getting the ball rolling so you can execute your projects for Fall 2019 or Spring 2020:
1. Do your local research while visiting friends and family all summer. Take note of what you like and don’t like about other spaces. When you find a spot that really leaves a feeling of comfort and joy, make a note of why and what influenced it.
2. Start a vision board. It doesn’t have to be fancy. But you can use it to collect samples of patterns, colors, cloth swatches, photos etc. of your ideal backyard.
3. Visit a showroom or hit one of the many summer home and garden shows in the area to get inspiration. Also take photos of displays you like and start a file of them.
4. Figure out how you will finance your project. Look at your assets and home’s equity to get an idea of a realistic budget.
5. Start researching contractors. You can do Google searches in your local area or ask friends and family who they recommend. You can also find recommendations on Facebook and other social media outlets.
6. Once you’ve retained a contractor, then you can begin to work collaboratively with their team. They will assist you with obtaining necessary permits and will understand the regulations of your city or town. They will guide you through the process of planning, designing through completion.
Best of luck to you with your backyard transformation!
