We’re in the midst of the best time of the year. That’s correct; summer is here! When I think of summer, numerous ways to spend as much time as possible outside come to mind. With daylight lasting so much longer and temperatures rising, it’s too tempting to stay outside and enjoy the perfect weather.
Fortunately, the good news is that you don’t have to travel far to be able to make the most of summer; you can enjoy it right here in your backyard!
While we’ll occasionally opt to go out to beaches and resorts, we’ll still spend a considerable amount of time at home. This can be a problem if your backyard looks like a mess or is just plain dull. If you’re looking for inspiration regarding how to spruce up your backyard space, then you’re in the right place.
You can begin remodelling your outdoor space by thinking outside the box. You don’t want your yard to be just an average backyard everyone has. That’s not what makes excellent landscaping. It’s about taking risks and being innovative — making sure your yard is not like anyone else’s in the world.
We know this can sound challenging but don’t worry; we have put together a comprehensive list of 10 backyard design and landscaping ideas that are guaranteed to ensure you spend your summer outdoors and enjoy your yard to the fullest!
1. Summer blooms
One way to make your backyard feel like a tropical oasis is by bringing the outdoor inside. You simply need to add in some of the elements that make tropical destinations so special: bright colours and loads of fresh flowers!
You can use a variety of flowers to liven up your backyard instantly. They can attract friendly pollinators like bees and butterflies that are sure to entertain you as they buzz about. A lot of flowers also give out a pleasant scent. Some flowering plants include hibiscus, roses, petunias and other colourful blooms.
If you don’t have room for large containers or pots, try using hanging baskets instead. These will add both visual interest and fragrance to your yard without taking up too much space. You can plant succulents in them or use them as vases for floral arrangements (or both!).
Make sure you choose plants and flowers based on their mature height, so they don’t overwhelm your space when they get big enough! Balancing the proportions of space and flowers will ensure that you maintain both comfort and aesthetics in your yard.
2. Deck the yard
Decks can be the perfect addition to any backyard. They don’t need to take up much space and can be made to fit any budget or size of the yard. You can use them for entertaining guests or just relaxing and having fun with your family. Plus, they can create space for so many different things! You can add seating, tables, and a mini fort – the possibilities are endless!
Decking materials can vary depending on how much money you want to spend and how much maintenance you want to deal with. There is a large selection of different types of wood that can be used for decks, but most people choose cedar because it’s easy to work with and looks great. They are very versatile because you can make them as fancy or as simple as you want – you can add furnishings and plants or just leave them as is.
3. Paving the way for a summer escape
Using pavement to direct the focus from one area to another is a cheap and aesthetically pleasing way to design your backyard. You can use a single paving slab or arrange several different types of pavers in a more complex pattern. It’s easy to create a path for visitors to follow, and if you have a larger space, you can create a labyrinth with twists and turns.
You can use paving stones as stepping stones or decorate with them in any other way that suits your style. This works exceptionally well if you have different areas with different functions, such as a dining area and a play area, or even just two seating areas that are close enough for people to walk between them. You can also use it as a border between two other sites or as a way to separate areas with different uses.
Aside from being inexpensive and easy to install, they can provide visual interest and add texture to an otherwise plain yard. Here, creativity is critical: you need to figure out what paving placement works best with the yard that you have, both function- and aesthetics-wise.
4. Nothing like an outdoor barbeque
Installing an outdoor barbeque or fire pit is an excellent idea for backyard design. You and your friends and family can hold get-togethers at any time. In the daytime, you can all kick back and relax in the sun while eating delicious barbecue foods and sipping on refreshing drinks. It is also an ideal place to roast marshmallows and tell ghost stories at night!
If you’re considering installing one, the first thing you should think about is where you want to put your outdoor barbeque grill. Do you have enough space for this type of equipment? Will it fit into your backyard without taking up too much space? Can it be used safely without blocking other areas?
Also, you need to be sure that it’s far away from anything flammable like grass! If there’s no place for one in your yard, consider building it on top of cement blocks so that dirt doesn’t get into the ashes after use. These are all essential points to take into account before installing an outdoor barbeque grill in your backyard.
5. Structuring your sanctuary
Adding retaining walls and stairs to your backyard can help you organise your backyard and add your unique personal touch to it. You can also use them as the focal point of a garden or patio area. These structures can be further decorated with planters and greens, rocks and gravel, and much more!
Retaining walls help create more space for a vegetable garden or even just make it easier to water plants. There are many different kinds of retaining walls available, including brick and stone, so you can find some that best suit your needs and tastes!
You can also use retaining walls to organise your existing backyard features, such as pools or gardens, by keeping the water and soil confined. Doing this will cut down on your yard maintenance and cleanup time, so they are an excellent long-term investment.
Additionally, these structures are helpful if you or your guests don’t want to walk through grass every time you’re in the backyard: retaining walls can be used to frame your patio, and stairs add more character to a raised deck while making way for easy passage.
6. Cool down at home
Adding a hot tub or pool is another great way to sprinkle some fun into your backyard. Swimming pools are one of the most in-demand backyard features. They’re great for exercise and relaxation as well as entertaining guests during the summer months, though they do require significantly more maintenance than a hot tub. You can choose to add a diving board, slide, or other fun features for kids to enjoy.
Hot tubs offer similar benefits as a swimming pool but in a more intimate setting that allows people to relax together while taking care of their health at the same time. Hot tubs are usually used at night, so you can choose to put a roof over them or leave them open to the stars.
If you don’t have room for a hot tub or a pool, how about a water feature instead? Water features are especially lovely during the summer because they add sound to your yard, which can be a great way to get into a relaxing mood.
A small pond, mini waterfall, or fountain would be perfect for adding some interest to your garden while also providing water for the birds that could potentially visit your yard.
7. Early morning coffee and late night talks
Adding various seating arrangements to your backyard is one of the cheaper ways to incorporate a backyard focal point and an outdoor lounging area. Whether you want to make a cosy little nook for two or have room for a whole party, there are plenty of ideas that will get you inspired!
Seating options are plentiful and can be as simple as a few chairs, benches or stools around a table. Even a small amount of furniture can go a long way toward making your backyard feel more like a relaxing retreat rather than just another space for you to do things.
Make sure to purchase a dining set that can be moved easily if needed. This will allow you to take it inside when it rains or if it gets too cold outside; however, if there’s no wind or rain forecasted, then leave it out so everyone can have fun!
Another way to add seating is by using large rocks or stones as seats themselves. These provide both comfort and style while also offering some much-needed contrast against other elements in your yard, such as plants or trees.
8. Lie back and enjoy the breeze
If you enjoy lounging outdoors and have more space in your backyard, consider adding a hammock, a swing set or even a canopy bed!
Hammocks are a great way to add seating and comfort to any backyard, especially if there’s a pleasant breeze blowing in the direction of your hammock. It’s also a perfect spot for reading a book or napping under the shade of a tree.
Swing sets are an additional way to add seating and comfort to your backyard, especially if there’s enough space in your yard for two swings. You can find wooden or plastic sets at most stores that sell outdoor furniture.
Canopy beds can be used as an outdoor reading nook or even an adult getaway spot–or both at the same time! Another bonus is that you get to spend warm summer nights outdoors. It’s like sleeping under the stars without having to worry about bugs and other critters crawling into bed with you at night. You can find canopy beds at most home improvement stores in various sizes and colours that match your style preferences perfectly!
9. Framing your paradise
Pergolas and arbours help frame your garden or backyard, adding height and definition that will make it feel like an actual room in your house. You can decorate it with climbing plants or leave it plain, depending on how much work you want to put into it. Either way, they make a beautiful addition to any space!
In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, a pergola is a trellis-like structure that you can use to create a shady area in your yard. Pergolas can be used to support vines and flowers, or they can be left open, so they provide shade without obstructing the view.
Arbours are similar to pergolas in that they are trellis-like structures, but instead of being open like a pergola, an arbour usually has a roof. Pavilions can provide shade for seating areas or eating spaces, as well as make it easy for you to grow climbing plants such as roses.
10. Getting your green on
If you’re looking to spice up your backyard this summer, one of the ways to do it would be to add a vegetable garden to your backyard. Adding plants is bound to make your yard seem more lively by adding a touch of green to the barren earth. You can also switch to succulents and cacti if that suits your taste better.
Just remember that you should always consider how much time and energy you’re willing to put into maintaining these plants before planting them in your yard. It would help if you took care to choose plants that thrive best in the summer, though there’s a wide selection of ‘summer plants’ to choose from.
Lastly, you must also take into account the kinds of plants you’ll be getting, especially if you have kids or pets that have access to the plants.
11. Add a Fountain
A fountain is one of the most popular backyard features because it adds life and sound to any area of your property. They can also be used as an additional water source for plants when they’re placed next to a pond or lake on your property.
Fountains can be used as an accent feature or centrepiece in any part of your yard, especially if they are placed near an entrance or pathway leading into other areas of your home.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that the trick to creating a great backyard is to personalise it. Whether you rent or you own, you must take the time to make your backyard your private sanctuary.
Even if you don’t have a giant yard to work with, you can still create a great outdoor space that suits your needs and gives you the perfect environment to unwind in after a stressful day.
With these creative outdoor landscapes and garden design ideas, you can make just about anything your heart desires as part of an outdoor living area that’s perfect for eating, relaxing, entertaining guests, spending time with family, or even just hanging out alone.
Contact Us
You may call our experts here if you ever need any kind of landscaping services, including design, construction, installation, or upkeep.
We can assess your outside area and design it with all the features you desire and need. Our gardening and landscaping experts are available to you if you reside on or near the Gold Coast, Queensland. You can surely count on us to ensure that you receive the outcomes you want at a cost you can afford.
Lastly, please don’t hesitate to call us with any questions you may have regarding our Gold Coast landscaping services. Let’s collaborate to create your ideal design because our goal is to provide our clients with the best service possible.