5 Ways to Improve Your Outdoor Space

Guest article written by Matt Lee. Matt Lee is the Co-Founder of Lead Generation Experts. Founded in 2012, Lead Generation Experts helps building materials manufacturers improve their digital marketing strategy.

Summer is just around the corner, and with more sunshine and backyard BBQs on the way, it’s probably time to start thinking about doing something with that crusty old backyard that has been dormant and sad for the dark winter months. If you’re looking to take on a few new home improvement projects this spring in preparation for fun in the sun, you should look into investing your time into your yard, because that is likely where you’ll soon be wanting to spend most of your lazy afternoons.

With Hatfield (now Alair Homes- Plano) Builders & Remodelers, you’ll have a meticulous team creating your vision from the very beginning, transforming your outdoor space into a one-of-a-kind landscape crafted specifically for you. Schedule a consultation with our team today!

5 Ways to Enhance Your Landscape

When preparing for an exterior home design project, you’ll have to consider a few important things. For instance, whichever materials you end up using, they’ll have to be strong, durable, and able to stand up to nature’s wrath. As a design choice, specifying the correct materials can add depth and character to your project years down the line when nature has left a beautiful patina in its wake.

With that in mind, here are five ways to improve your outdoor space this summer.

1) Wood Pool Deck

Let me guess: last year you decided to finally put in the pool your kids had been clamoring and crying about for years, but ultimately the end product left you with mixed feelings about how it turned out. There is often a sterileness or bland quality that comes with pool design. All that plaster and stainless steel and plastic incandescent lighting can leave a rather chalky taste in your mouth. That’s why a great wood deck design is such a great addition to your pool. You’ll be able to easily make a way to provide a bit of natural relief to your backyard pool area.

Be sure to select a wood pool deck that will stand up to being soaked and drenched with water, not only from rain and snow, but from cannon ball splash-back. You can either use modified wood or something weather resistant like cedar. Or, there are a plethora of composite wood pool decks that will last forever and not break the bank.

2) Exterior Patio Cover

See more of this project here.

Nothing is more desirable in the summer months than a covered, well-shaded outdoor space. Being able to relax outside without sweating through every last Hawaiian shirt is a huge bonus, and a great way to create comfortable gathering space for weekend parties.

Patio covers come in all shapes and sizes (not to mention price ranges). You can go with something off-the-shelf, like a canvas rolling canopy that will simply attach on the side of your existing house. However, if you really want to go big, look into hiring a Dallas area design firm that specializes in building specialized features such as patio covers. They will be able to design and build something that fits the style and architecture of your home, giving you shaded outdoors space that’s also aesthetically pleasing.

See more of this project here.

3) Water Features

You might not have the budget to go all-in on a backyard pool, but there are other ways to bring a bit of water into your exterior space that will work to enhance your natural landscape. Ponds, fountains, rain gardens, and even water collection systems are all great options for highlighting water in your outdoor spaces. They are a staple in exterior home design in Dallas, and can turn any sterile or uninviting exterior space into a pleasant place to hang out.

If you’re unfamiliar with plumbing or irrigation systems, you’ll want to hire some professional help. You’ll want to be sure to implement the appropriate filtration and water delivery systems no matter what type of feature you decide to install.

4) Fire Pit

The perfect complement to your new water feature or wood pool deck is a fire pit. When the sun goes down, there’s no better way to keep the party going than to break out the marshmallows, turn up the heat, and gather around mankind’s greatest discovery.

Fire pits can be installed in any number of ways. Your best bet is to take stock of the current state of your exterior space. The most successful fire pit installations are smartly integrated into the soft or hardscape you’re already working with. You can even build yourself an inexpensive fire pit surround with stone blocks you can get at your local hardware store.

See more of this project here.

5) Seasonal Garden

Gardens are great because they are easy to set up, but incredible complex to get the most out of. Growing your own fruits, vegetables and herbs can be a very rewarding experience, but only if you’re willing to put in the work. That’s what make gardens the perfect summer project! Just be sure to save some of that beer for sunken slug traps in the fall (yes, slugs love beer).

Additionally, a well-curated exterior garden will add a wonderful bit of natural flair to your exterior home design. It’s a feature that is always changing, and something to be proud of as you show guests around your newly minted exterior spaces.

Schedule an Appointment with Hatfield!

Hatfield (now Alair Homes- Plano) Builders & Remodelers has established a reputation for high levels of unparalleled quality, beauty, workmanship, and service excellence. Contact the #1 award-winning builder and remodeler in Texas to learn more!