How to Turn Your Dream Backyard Ideas Into a Reality
by Matt
What does your dream backyard look like?
Do you have a pool or a fire pit? Maybe your vision is to have an outdoor living space and kitchen.
About 70% of households with an outdoor space use it at least once a week in-season. About 70% of those households want to make their space more enjoyable and relaxing.
There are many benefits to creating a sanctuary for yourself in the backyard. You can create a space where you can enjoy birds coming by or be amused by squirrels. You can set up your backyard as a prime gathering space.
If your dream backyard seems too big to come true, don’t fret. Read on to learn the steps you can take to make your dream a reality.
Get Inspired
If you’re just getting started on creating your backyard, take the time to dream and get inspired. This is your chance to get clear on what your style is.
Start by watching TV shows like Going Yard on HGTV and Yard Crashers on the DIY Network.
You can also pick up magazines and browse websites like Pinterest. Print and cut out pictures to put on a board. Think of it as your dream backyard vision board.
By having a board to look at, you’ll start to notice trends and your personal style will start to appear.
If you want to see what others in your area are doing, you could attend open houses in your area. This exercise is to get an idea to learn what you like and don’t like about different backyards and design.
The next step is to write down what items you must have in your dream backyard and what items are nice to have. This information will be handy further along the design process in case you have to eliminate items due to space or budget constraints.
What’s Your Style?
As you’re getting ideas, you’ll get an idea as to what your style is in the process. The most common styles are:
Eclectic: This style takes several different styles and combines them into one coherent space.
Asian: This combines the clean lines of a contemporary look with the earthy shades of wood and stone. This can incorporate water features to create your personal sanctuary.
Contemporary: Contemporary style reflects bright, bold colors that pop alongside neutral colors, open spaces, and clean lines throughout the design.
Mediterranean: You can evoke feelings of being transported to a European countryside by having unique hand-painted tiles, arches, and textured walls in your design.
Southwestern: Of course, being in Arizona, we can’t neglect the unique style of our area. Earth tones with bright fabrics to accent the color, along with terra cotta and clay materials are the main characteristics.
English Cottage: If you’d like a colorful garden with many plants and flowers, you could bring the English countryside to Arizona.
Whatever your style may be, you do need to make sure the outdoor style matches the architecture of the home.
For example, if the exterior of your home is a Southwest style, try choosing a Mediterranean or Southwest style. Both will complement the exterior of the home.
Know the Space You Have to Work With
Now that you have your dream and vision down on paper, it’s time to work those elements into the reality of your backyard. Even if you have a small space, you can still get creative to create a beautiful landscape.
Refer to your list and start with the most important items first. Then you can fit the other items in. For example, if your most important item is an outdoor kitchen and patio, start with that first, then move on to the next item.
Plan and Design Your Dream Backyard
Take your ideas one step further and create a design. There are a few items that you’ll need to consider.
The first is your budget. You’ll need to have a number that you’re willing to invest in the project. As you’re coming up with a number, also take into account financing options and the increase in your home’s value.
There are also potential savings by having sustainable features. With the right plan, you can save on energy and water costs.
You’ll also want to consider the work it will take to maintain. If you plan to maintain the yard yourself, how much work do you want to do? That may influence your decision to go for a low maintenance patio instead of a color-rich English garden.
At this point, you want to have a good idea of what you want, your style, and how much you can spend on the project. You can then hand over your sketches to a professional designer to fine-tune the design.
Hire the Right Contractor
You’re ready to bring in the experts to help you complete your dream backyard. By working with a team of experts, you’re able to get guaranteed high-quality work.
They can also get the job done faster than if you had to complete this project around your work schedule.
They’ll consult on your design and make improvements and they have the experience to see potential issues with your design.
With a project of this magnitude and meaning, you’re going to need to hire the right landscape design company. Here’s are a few ways you can tell you’re hiring professionals to do the job.
Experience: Ask to see a portfolio of work they’ve done in the past. Also, make sure they have the proper licensing and insurance.
Reviews: More and more people are going online to give their two cents. Check online reviews on sites like Yelp, Google, and Angie’s List.
Ask questions: Ask them what they see for your backyard and if it matches up with your vision. Be sure to ask them how they work to get an idea of their creative process.
Start Building Your Dream Backyard
Are you ready to create your dream backyard?
It can be the place that’s just for you or for friends and family. Whatever your vision is, we can help make it a reality.
If you have any question about your backyard project, contact Edgewater Design Company today. We have the expertise to create a customized and sustainable outdoor space.
____________________________________
As a top backyard landscape design company in Chandler AZ, we have the knowledge and design sense to make your dream backyard a reality!
Call Edgewater Design Company at (480) 397-0224 or schedule a free design consultation.