How to Create an Affordable Backyard Oasis for This Summer
Each year, before summer comes, most homeowners have plans to transform their backyard into an oasis in anticipation of spending more time outside. However, while the intention is good, sometimes the budget is not always agreeable. Other times it’s because of a busy schedule, so people never really find time to materialize their backyard plans for summer. This summer, instead of focusing on the summer backyard ideas you can’t afford to implement, it’s time to look for practical solutions that will turn your amazing ideas into a dream backyard. Read on to find 10 ways to create an affordable backyard oasis for this summer.
Add a New Garage
Compared to other home upgrades, a garage addition is more affordable and offers many benefits. First, when you add a garage, it means you have a multi-purpose area where you can do more than park your car. You can also use your garage for storage purposes and as your workspace. Many people have a home office or a studio in their garage, which is great if you don’t want your main house full of clutter. In addition, a garage addition increases the resale value of your home should you ever plan to sell.
The beauty of custom garages is that you can create a unique space that matches your vision of your dream property. If your budget is flexible, you could even add a bathroom to make things more convenient. To complete your garage, make sure you choose a beautiful garage door and hire a concrete service to build a driveway so your car can easily access the garage. Overall, building a garage in your backyard is a smart option and one of the best ways to create an affordable backyard oasis as long as you adhere to your local zoning rules.
Construct a Shed
If you’re interested in having a backyard shed, you have to figure out a lot of things, such as how big the shed will be, how you want the interior to be designed, and the colors and materials that will be used. That said, having a backyard shed comes with many benefits, so it’s worth it to figure out what you really need from your shed. Since you’re looking for affordable backyard oasis ideas, you should consider purchasing a portable shed to save money. Portable sheds are manufactured off-site, and this can be cheaper than hiring an on-site contractor.
Generally, having a shed in your backyard offers value for money considering the benefits you’ll be able to enjoy. With a backyard shed, you’ll have more storage space in your home than ever, meaning you can enjoy all the space you need in your home. If your home or garage can no longer accommodate additional items, you can store them in your shed and save on storage fees. A storage shed also helps eliminate backyard clutter since you can store gardening tools and lawn equipment there.
Install a Pool
People love summer because they get to spend more time outside. But, let’s face it. When the temperatures start climbing, the heat can become unbearable. Most people shy away from backyard pool installation because it doesn’t exactly seem like an affordable backyard oasis idea. If an in-built pool doesn’t fit into your budget, you can build an above ground pool instead. This is also a great idea if your backyard doesn’t have a lot of space. In fact, this is one of the top reasons why above ground pools are increasingly becoming popular. Designing an above ground pool for your backyard is significantly more affordable compared to built-in pools.
In addition, this type of pool is super easy to construct and maintain, plus it doesn’t take up a lot of space in your backyard. On the other hand, if you want to go all out, you can go ahead and hire an in ground pool company. Fortunately, many lenders offer swimming pool loans for homeowners who need an affordable way to create a summer backyard oasis.
Add a Garden
If you’re looking for affordable backyard oasis ideas, creating a garden should be at the top of your list. Doing this can add real value to your life, and you can even use your garden to save money. For instance, you can plant herbs and vegetables for your own consumption. You can save a lot by getting fresh produce from your own backyard garden, especially considering how organic fruits and vegetables can be pretty pricey. In addition, when you have a beautiful backyard garden, that means you have more opportunities to get sunshine, fresh air, and much-needed exercise while outside.
Gardening is one of the most common suggestions for people who want to incorporate more exercise into their life. During the colder months, it’s typical to become a couch potato, but when you choose a new garden in your backyard, it’s a great way to realize your personal fitness goals, breathe some fresh air, and raise your body’s Vitamin D levels all at once. Spending more time in your garden can also work wonders on your mental health due to the soothing effect of nature.
Plant New Trees
Planting trees can have a great impact on your backyard, and it’s also an excellent way to create an affordable backyard oasis. The best thing about having trees in your yard for summer is that they provide shade for your home and lawn, so you can enjoy your time outdoors without worrying about the sweltering heat. Do you know that having trees in your backyard is similar to having air conditioning in your backyard, but without the high costs? That’s because trees can provide a considerable net cooling effect when they cast shade in your backyard. Admittedly, it takes time for young trees to grow tall enough to cast a wider shade, so the best time to start planting is now.
To speed up things, you can plant fast-growing trees, such as the bald cypress, the dawn redwood, and the Chinese tallow tree. These trees are also beneficial as they help you create more privacy in your backyard. If you would like to reduce your environmental impact, you’ll be pleased to know that trees also benefit the environment. That’s because when trees photosynthesize, they absorb greenhouse gasses and give out oxygen as a byproduct. So, you’ll have cleaner and fresher air to enjoy in your backyard.
Build a Backyard Patio and/or Deck
Building a backyard patio or deck can be a DIY project, or you can hire a landscape installation service, depending on your budget. If you’re wondering about the benefits of adding a deck or patio to your backyard, there are many! You’ll have a more comfortable space to enjoy the outdoor life, for starters. A well-designed patio or deck allows you to enjoy a certain lifestyle. For instance, you can install additional seating, which is convenient when you want to entertain guests. You also have a space you can retreat to when you just want to relax and enjoy the warmer temperatures.
An outdoor structure such as a patio or deck can also be quite easy to install since you don’t have to invest in a lot of materials, such as drywall, insulation, and plumping. Overall, you can expect to enjoy more time outdoors when you have a newly installed deck or patio. Given all these benefits, building a patio or deck is undoubtedly one of the best affordable backyard oasis ideas.
Add a Water Feature or Pond
Creating a backyard oasis is all about increasing the visual beauty of your backyard and having a space that feels soothing and tranquil. One of the best ways to do this is by installing a water feature or pond. This will give your background more character so that it’s no longer boring to look at. A water feature or pond is an exciting feature that can make you feel like you’re more in touch with nature. Have you ever noticed how soothing the sound of water can be? After installing a water feature, spending more time in your backyard can make you feel calmer and more relaxed.
Your backyard will now be the oasis you can retreat to after a long day at work. Even when you have guests over, they will enjoy your unique and tranquil oasis. The good news is that water features come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s easier to find one that’s perfect for your backyard. You can even design your own beautiful water feature that provides the soothing sounds you need without taking up too much space or requiring a lot of maintenance.
Fertilize Your Lawn
For many people, their backyard oasis isn’t complete without a green, healthy and thriving lawn. If you echo these sentiments, then you should definitely invest some time and money into hiring a fertilizing contractor. Adding fertilizer to your lawn is worthwhile because it comes with several long-term benefits. For instance, it will boost grass growth. If your lawn currently looks sparse and thin, a good dose of fertilizer can help ensure that the grass grows lush and thick right in time for summer.
Fertilizing your lawn also helps prevent soil runoff in your backyard and helps the grass become more resistant to pets since it’s more healthy. Having a healthy lawn in your backyard is also great since you have a softer surface underfoot for your kids or pets to play on instead of a hard concrete surface. Overall, fertilizing your lawn is all part of having a healthy backyard. A healthy lawn leads to a healthy backyard because lawn grass helps clean the air in your yard by absorbing carbon dioxide. In addition to improved air quality, a healthy yard also helps to reduce stress levels due to the relaxing environment.
Clean Your Backyard
As you go about implementing these affordable backyard oasis ideas, you’ll hopefully enjoy watching your backyard transform into the oasis you want. But, if you want to make the most of your backyard, you should also spruce up your backyard. For instance, if your siding is in bad shape, you should invest money in siding repair to enhance the appearance of your backyard and ensure that your exterior walls are adequately protected from water intrusion. You should also look around your backyard to figure out how you can make it as clean and tidy as possible. Things you can do include getting rid of debris, dead leaves, and twigs. You can also mow your lawn and trim overgrown bushes and trees. Caring for the yard in this way means you get to enjoy your backyard to the maximum when the time comes.
Add Gate Access Control
When you have put a lot of effort into implementing these ideas, it’s important to ensure that your home has the best security. For instance, after you have finished building your new custom backyard garage and installing a driveway, you should also look for professionals that specialize in driveway gates installations. On top of that, you should also consider having a residential access control system. Residential access control systems are great if you want to prevent unwanted traffic into your yard. That way, you can truly enjoy your backyard, knowing you have all the privacy you need.
These are some of the top ways to create an affordable backyard oasis. Most of these ideas are budget-friendly, but some, like installing a pool, require a bit of investment. No worries! There are many financing options you can explore to split the cost of your pool into bite-sized pieces that your budget can easily assimilate. Thus, installing a pool has never been so affordable, and the benefits are well worth it! For those who feel like their schedule is too busy to work on these ideas, there’s no need to stress either. You can always hire a professional to assist you and watch as your backyard oasis becomes a reality faster than you imagined. When it’s all done, you can sit back, relax, and enjoy yourself!