Backyard makeoversare creative and fun to do, and they transform more of your property into usable space.
Entertain guests, let your pets roam, or enjoy your private outdoor space in solitude.
We’ve rounded up 9 stunningbackyard makeoversto inspire your next renovation.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Are you the social bang out who dreams of summer barbecues and evening soirees with plenty of friends?
A deckwill elevate your party, giving you asolid, dry spacefor all of your fun activities.
Another option andless expensiveis aground-level patiomade frombricks, pavers, flagstones, or even with gravel.
House Candy Home
But it all depends on what you’re doing.
For one, concrete is temperature-sensitive; generally, you will want temperatures to be above 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
But the execution of the space felt uninspired.
House Candy Home
Since the cottage was set back so far, its front yard could become Carol’s backyard.
But this transformation would not come without significant work.
The space would need to be seriously landscaped.
Carol Heffernan
To further promote drainage, hardscaping was the order of the day.
Evergreen yews form a low hedge to separate the newly made-over backyard from the street.
The first order of business for a backyard makeover is to properly manage the water.
Heffernan Landscape Design
Water from gutters and downspouts, groundwater, or even from neighbors can ruin the best-laid makeover plans.
French drains are a popular way of siphoning off excess backyard water.
A few flagstones at the beginning of the walkway encourage guests to walk toward the back.
Chris Loves Julia
The truly tempting invitation, though, is the do-it-yourself fire pit.
They purchased the fire pit as an all-in-one kit.
But similarfire pitscan easily be built by creating a circle ofretaining wall blocks.
Chris Loves Julia
Pretty much everything had to be scrapped and started from fresh.
Maintaining a depth of just three inches made raking and clean-up easier.
Young cypress ring the property and will grow upwards and outwards to form a greenprivacy screen.
Yellow Brick Home
The centerpiece of theirrelaxing backyard creationis a pea gravel patio with Adirondack chairs facing a do-it-yourself firepit.
It came with loads of weeds and dry grass and poorly tended trees, but little charm.
And of course, there was that giant air conditioner unit looming over everything.
Yellow Brick Home
They also gave the house a fresh coat of paint.
All in all, the eventual design was cool, crisp, contemporary, and big on solid shapes.
This Missouri backyard presented a host of opportunities.
Almost Makes Perfect
This area was as close to being a blank slate as anything.
Large format concrete pavers set in Mexican river rock complete the contemporary look.
New turf was rolled out.
Almost Makes Perfect
After: Kid-Friendly Backyard
Style by Emily Henderson
This backyard was made over with fun in mind.
A new wooden playset expands play opportunities for the kids.
Emily, too, recommends reducing the “square-box effect” of backyards.
Aaron Bradley
Kid-Friendly Backyard MakeoverfromStyle by Emily Henderson
Before: Dated Stonework
Stamped concretehas its place.
It works well for driveways,walkways, commercial spaces, and other high-traffic areas.
The owners wanted a freer, more natural look to their backyard.
Aaron Bradley
Fresh plantings enhance the home’s exterior, with a few splashes of color to add interest.
One option is to paint the cinder blocks.
Yet the brains behind the design blogClassy Clutterhad a trick up their sleeves.
Style by Emily Henderson
They figured that they would rather cover up the cinder blocks.
Weather-resistant Sunbrella fabric shades the Arizona sun from theoutdoor loveseatand two swivel rockers.
you could use anything from a simple notepad and pencil to landscape design software to plan your backyard layout.
Style by Emily Henderson
A structure like anintriguing gazeboor anelegant fountainare also popular options.
Van Zelst, Inc.
Van Zelst, Inc.
Classy Clutter
Classy Clutter
