The Art of Curb Appeal Part 3: Outdoor Living & Backyard Spaces

When you think of curb appeal, you’re probably thinking about the view of your home from the curb. But when it comes to adding to and magnifying the beauty of your home, why should the front of the house get all the attention? LeDrew Lumber believes that your backyard and outdoor spaces can also use a boost of curb appeal to increase the value of your home and provide you with a comfortable space to enjoy the outdoors. When it comes to curb appeal, it’s important to keep in mind that how things blend together is just as important as how they fit in the space they are in. Follow some of these tips and you’ll be well on your way to boosting the curb appeal of your backyard space.

Cleanup

The first thing to do is a thorough cleanup of your yard. This not only means getting rid of the usual sticks, stones and leaves, but also tossing those things in your backyard that are unused, broken and taking up space. Maybe it’s an old, rusted bike or a broken-down swing set. Whatever it is, discard them, donate them or find somewhere to store them. Once they are out of the way, you’ll have a much better idea of your space and the possibilities available to you.

Storage

For the things in your backyard you want to keep, there is a way to do it while maintaining curb appeal. Two storage options are deck boxes and sheds. A deck box is a wood or plastic storage box that fits on your deck or patio. It can store chairs, cushions, blankets and small gardening tools. For curb appeal purposes, select a size and style for the area it will be located. Place the box centre under a window or between a door on one side and a planter on the other will give it a pleasing look.

If you need more storage, a customized (or out-of-the-box) shed is what you’re looking for. Adding a cedar shed to a corner of your yard gives your backyard a country feel. You can spruce it up by adding flower boxes under windows or even building a little stone patio around it. If you want to go the opposite direction and go modern, there are sleek angled sheds that fit in with a home’s modern architecture. However you choose to store your things, the right storage can help keep your yard tidy and enhance your home’s beauty at the same time.

Hardscaping

Hardscaping is a part of landscaping that involves adding features like rocks, pavers, fountains and driveways to a landscape. Softscaping includes adding grass, trees, flowers and shrubs. There are a number of ways you can use elements of hardscaping to boost your backyard appeal.

A fire pit with seating around is a great place to relax and keep warm. Use hardscaping to boost the curb appeal of this feature by adding pavers under the fire pit and seating area. This gives the area stability and provides visual separation between the grass and the fire pit.

Paths are another way to boost your home’s curb appeal. Install a path with pavers or flagstone leading to the fire pit or to a swing underneath a tree. The path is more than just a place to walk. It also draws attention to a focal point and encourages you to see what’s along the path. Pay attention to the areas where your eyes stop for a moment. These areas could be ideal spots to add a garden, a tree or planter since they draw your eyes naturally.

Lighting

Lighting is used to highlight your backyard’s curb appeal. Solar lights along a pathway are a popular and easy option to start with. Place them staggered to the left and right of the path instead of directly across from each other to avoid them looking like runway lights.

Lights above a deck or patio are essential for hosting get-togethers. Choosing the right type of lighting is essential if boosting your curb appeal is what you want to accomplish. Since your lights will be mainly used at night, it’s important they are the correct strength and colour. Outdoor lighting should be in the warm, red spectrum of light. Avoid cool, blue light as this gives off an industrial look. When lighting at night, less really is more. If the lights are so bright that they’re washing out your view of your backyard, they aren’t helping you or your home. Experiment with different lights and positions to determine where you get the most coverage with the fewest number of fixtures.

Accessories

Like lights, when it comes to buying accessories to boost curb appeal, it’s important to not go overboard. Huge statues or planter boxes will take over a small patio and make it feel even smaller. Instead, find accessories that fit naturally into spaces without taking up needed room.

An outdoor rug under your patio set is a great example of an accessory that doesn’t take much surface area but adds colour and shape to your space. Once you have an outdoor rug selected, match chair cushions and pillows with it to give your entertaining space a cohesive feel. If you have a spot on an exterior wall, an outdoor clock is a helpful, classic accessory that doesn’t take space, and enhances the area where it’s placed. With some careful planning and imagination, you can give your home a curb appeal boost from every side.

If you have any questions or need more information, visit LeDrew Lumber. Our team is always available to help in any way we can.