Our yards are often the last thing we think about when it comes to home renovation and revitalization, but with summer just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about late nights with a beer on your backyard patio, roasting marshmallows over the fire pit, and grilling up some burgers after a day at the beach.

With such a short summer season, we Manitobans have to take advantage of the few warm months that we get. Creating a summer oasis for relaxation in our backyards is a great way to make the most of these months and truly enjoy some summer fun.

Part of enjoying time outside is making sure your yard is living up to its full potential. While large landscaping projects are often expensive and complicated, we’ve gathered some tips from the pros to help you keep your yard looking great as we finally approach the summer season.

New Patio Furniture

Even if it’s just a trip to Ikea, choosing comfortable and functional outdoor furniture is a guaranteed way to make you actually want to spend time outside! Take some time to think about how you would like your outdoor patio furniture to function. For instance, if you’re looking to enjoy large gatherings, a table that seats six or eight along with a few smaller seating areas could be a good setup. If your yard is more for smaller gatherings and family fun, consider pieces that will stand up to the kids playtime antics, a couple of cozy chaise loungers and maybe a small firepit with seating surrounding it.

Evergreen Shrubs and Bushes

Evergreen shrubs and bushes are low maintenance, and they’ll look nice all year round. Take advantage of a sunny Saturday and plant some shrubs around your front or back yard. They can also provide some privacy from neighbors or help to hide less sightly fencing and views. This is a cost effective way to add greenery to your yard and definitely up the curb appeal of your home.

Create a Pathway

If you have a large yard with a few different places to hang out and enjoy the weather like a barbecue pit, garden or even a trampoline – create a path out of patio blocks or stepping stones to make it easier for people to navigate around the yard and to keep your grass from being trampled.

Lighting

While we’re on the subject of pathways, add some solar lights or even draped patio light strings to keep your yard the life of the party even after it gets dark. The right lighting adds ambiance and it can also make your yard safer in the later evening hours.

Hide your Air Conditioner

While it’s a necessity for staying cool during the summer, a quality AC unit isn’t exactly a pretty sight. Building an attractive box or buying a nice cover for your AC unit is a smart investment and another great way to keep your backyard looking beautiful and clean.

Flower Bed Border

Keep your flower gardens looking fresh, neat, and tidy with a stone or brick border. This is an easy and inexpensive DIY project that most homeowners can complete in a weekend and with minimal supplies.

Build a Berm

One of the more costly but beautiful options to break up your yard if it’s flat and doesn’t have a lot going on is to build a berm (a small mound) and plant trees or create a rock garden.  This is also a great way to add a point of interest to your yard and improve the appeal of your outdoor living space.

We’re so excited to enjoy our backyards and even do a little maintenance as the weather warms up and we slowly find our way outdoors more often. We hope these ideas will help you build the backyard oasis you’ve always dreamed of and allow you to enjoy the summer months ahead as well!