What’s your backyard personality?

Whatever your personality, backyarding has never been more popular. In 2020 and 2021, we saw many backyard makeovers that displayed the homeowner’s personality and ranged from outdoor workspaces to unique wildlife habitats. You can transform your backyard, balcony, rooftop, or other outdoor space to match your personality and lifestyle. So, what is your backyard personality?

How do you most like to spend your time outdoors? Begin by prioritizing your end goal; how do you want this space to function. This will depend on how much space you have available. If your backyard is ample enough, you might be able to “section” out your yard to suit several different moods and interests.

Are you an Environmentalist who knows that right outside your door lies the opportunity for you to make a significant impact on climate change? Filtering rainwater, producing oxygen, and absorbing carbon, to name a few.

Maybe you need an area that is kid-friendly and turf-friendly. Use a flat surface and sturdy turfgrass to withstand the wear and tear kids can generate.

For many households, four-legged family members are just as important as two-legged family members. Buffalo grass and Bermuda grass are sturdy enough to take hours of playing fetch. Hardscape like bricks, concrete pavers, or stone can be an alternative spot to urinate that will not ruin your lawn. If your HOA allows it, consider using faux turf.

Are you storage obsessed?  The backyard is no exception for those who require order in their lives. Find a storage shed to match the exterior of your home and furnish it with helves, bins, and hooks to hang rakes, bicycles, helmets, and more. For safety and security, store tools and power tools out of reach of children. Adding a lock on the door is always a good idea.

Remember the summer days of hanging out with the neighborhood kids then scrambling home to eat dinner outside? Life doesn’t have to be all work and no play when you’re an adult. Relive those days but do it year-round. Adding a patio heater and an outdoor home theater system will make it cozy. Let the kids watch movies while you dine alfresco alongside them. Hang some lights, maybe a curtain, and construct a pergola for an overhead cover if there’s room and funds. There are so many designs for outside dining spaces. Check out Earth, Turf, and Wood for some fabulous examples of outdoor appliances. They are wonderful!

If you love wildlife and love it more when you see it on your property, make it more appealing by planting the right kinds of flowers and shrubbery that will attract bees, butterflies, and birds. A well-appointed hummingbird feeder placed in the right spot can provide entertainment during Spring, Summer, and Fall. Also, consider a greenhouse if your space allows it. You will be able to garden all year long.

Peace seekers will enjoy their morning coffee while listening to the wildlife. Make this space your personal retreat for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation. by adding elements that destress you. Some examples might be a peaceful waterfall with fragrant flowers or bushes that help reduce anxiety. Make sure you have options that include shade and sun. A few minutes in the morning sun can do wonders for your psyche,

And so important in the last two years, outdoor office spaces! Add details that matter, such as a strong WiFi signal and an electrical outlet with enough plugs to accommodate your essential devices if they are not Bluetooth. Also, add a sturdy and level workspace. To add to the aesthetic, add foliage as a living alternative to the faux backdrops that became popular when the quarantine began.

Turn your backyard into your oasis and start enjoying it! Now is the perfect time to begin plotting and staking out your backyarding plans.

Here are a few resources to help you get started.

• The Laidback Gardner
• 99 CT Courtyard Ideas

Of course, AVMRE is here to help. Let us know when you are ready.