Redesign your backyard: tips, ideas & planning!
Grayson Whitaker
Congratulations if you have a backyard to call your own! It not only serves as a green retreat to recharge your batteries but also invites you to spend sociable hours with family and friends. If you want to redesign your backyard, there are a few important steps you should follow. With good planning and the right design ideas, you can transform your outdoor space into a true oasis of well-being.
Why Should You Redesign Your Backyard?
There are many reasons for redesigning your backyard: perhaps your tastes have changed, or you've moved to a new home where the outdoor space needs a complete overhaul.
It may also be that your children are older, and you no longer need sandpits and play structures — instead, you might want more space for vegetable gardens, a pergola, or comfortable lounge furniture.
Changed Lifestyle:
A low-maintenance backyard can make sense if you want to invest less time in upkeep.
Sustainability:
Targeted redesigns can promote native plants and provide a home for beneficial insects.
New Look:
Sometimes a fresh change is just what you need to make your backyard your favorite place again.
The Backyard as a Place of Retreat: What Shouldn't Be Missing in the Redesign?
If you want to redesign your outdoor space, the following elements are often the highlights:
Pergolas as Patios or Outdoor Living Areas
With a pergola, you can transform your backyard into an inviting outdoor space. Under the canopy, you can:
-
Create shady corners for hot summer days.
-
Add an outdoor kitchen or set up a pergola as an additional dining area.
-
Ensure a seamless transition between your living room and the backyard.
Tip: At PERGOLUX, you’ll find high-quality pergolas in different styles and sizes that fit seamlessly into your backyard design.
Winter Gardens: Year-Round Outdoor Comfort
If you want to enjoy the outdoors even on cold or rainy days, a winter garden is ideal.
You will get:
-
Additional living space that can be heated.
-
A bright, friendly atmosphere thanks to large glass windows.
-
Perfect conditions for plants that thrive in natural light.
This creates a cool, shady space in summer, while offering a warm retreat in winter — ideal for cozy afternoons in snow or rain.
Sitting and Barbecue Areas as the Heart of the Backyard
It doesn’t always have to be expensive to create comfort. With an inviting sitting and grilling area, you can:
-
Spend sociable evenings with friends and family.
-
Place barbecue accessories, tables, and chairs within easy reach.
-
Create an atmospheric ambiance with simple accents such as LED string lights or torches.
Suitable Lighting for Atmospheric Evenings
Lighting plays a crucial role in creating a feel-good atmosphere in your backyard:
-
LED string lights and solar lights are eco-friendly and flexible.
-
Spotlights highlight trees or garden sculptures.
-
Adequate lighting on paths and steps increases safety in the dark.
Lawn, Beds, or Both? Plan Plants Cleverly
Whether you want to keep your backyard low-maintenance or enjoy lush flower beds depends on your preferences:
-
Lawns and Green Areas:
Less work weeding, more space to play and relax. -
Flower and Vegetable Beds:
Ideal if you enjoy gardening and love fresh produce. -
Herb Beds:
Practical for hobby cooks who value fresh herbs. -
Natural Backyard:
Native plants, insect hotels, and shelters for hedgehogs — this is how you promote biodiversity.
Tip: Align your herb spiral with the sun. Herbs usually love lots of light and warmth, so the highest part of the spiral should face south. But also make sure it’s easily accessible from your outdoor kitchen.
Planning: Laying the Foundation for the New Backyard
Proper planning is key to ensuring your project is a success.
Styles: Which Backyard Style Suits You?
Before you start, decide which style best suits your outdoor space:
-
Modern and Minimalist Backyard:
Minimalist backyards have clean lines, little decoration, and lots of green space. -
Cottage Garden:
A cottage garden features romantic flower beds, flowering plants, and cozy seating areas that make you feel comfortable. -
Natural Backyard:
In a natural backyard, the focus is primarily on native plants and nature conservation. You’ll also find insect hotels, shelters for hedgehogs, and other wildlife. -
Asian Garden:
An Asian garden impresses with its sense of harmony, featuring water features and bamboo as central elements.
Select Materials and Plants
The choice of materials and plants depends on your style. If you’re busy with work or other commitments, choose low-maintenance plants that fit well into your backyard concept.
Materials also need to align with your style. You can choose from natural stone, wood, and metal, which can be combined to create contrasts and structure.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Proceed with the Redesign
-
Define Your Wishes and Needs
Think about what function you want your backyard to fulfill. Do you want a space for relaxation, entertaining, or both? -
Use a 3D Planner
Draw your ideas using a 3D planner to visualize the layout. This allows you to see what your backyard will look like in advance. -
Check Soil Condition and Type
Before selecting plants, check the soil type and condition. If needed, improve the soil quality to better support the plants you want. -
Choose Plants and Materials
Based on your selected style, choose plants and materials. Pay attention to durability and the ease of maintenance. -
Build Structures
After selecting your plants, begin building structures like walls or pergolas and set up your seating and grilling area. -
Design the Beds and Lawn
Finally, lay out your flower beds, vegetable gardens, and lawn.
Cost Planning: How Much Does It Cost to Redesign the Backyard?
Costs can vary depending on the scope and materials selected:
-
Material Costs:
High-quality wood, natural stone, or metal are durable but more expensive. -
Plants:
You can save money by using cuttings or swapping plants with neighbors and friends. -
Labor Costs:
Decide whether to do the work yourself or hire professionals.
Entry-level projects typically start at around $5,000, but the budget can go up depending on the complexity and materials used. Make sure to budget enough so that you don't have to cut corners on important elements.
Conclusion
A newly designed backyard not only increases the value of your property but, most importantly, enhances your quality of life.
Whether you're looking for a modern pergola from PERGOLUX, a cozy winter garden, or an inviting seating and barbecue area, the most important thing is that your outdoor space becomes a place where you can relax and enjoy time with your loved ones.
FAQ
How do you create a backyard plan?
Use free 3D planners available online to visualize your dream backyard. This way, you can see in advance how paths, flower beds, or pergolas will look.
When is the best time to completely redesign a backyard?
Spring and autumn are typically the best times. In spring, plants can establish themselves before winter arrives.
What shouldn’t be missing in a backyard?
A comfortable seating area and shaded spaces are essential for enjoying your backyard, especially in hot weather. LED lights, spotlights, or solar lights, along with a barbecue area, also help create an inviting ambiance.
🏡 Would you like to find out more about other blog posts?
