Are you looking to upgrade your backyard for your family?
Whether you want to entertain guests or give your kids somewhere safe to play, an outdoor living area is a must-have.
Whilst homeowners daydream of spending their weekends in designer backyards that look incredible and function even better, there’s no reason that smart backyard upgrades need to take months or cost thousands.
Here’s the reality…
Achieving a backyard you’ll love starts with knowing which upgrades make sense. Want some backyard inspiration? From concrete foundations to child-friendly zones and low-maintenance materials. Follow along to find out how simple backyard upgrades can completely change the way you spend time outdoors.
Want your backyard makeover to look amazing and last for years to come? Here’s how to find highly rated concreters near you:
What’s included:
- Outdoor living areas are bigger than ever
- Concrete foundations matter
- Create kid-friendly zones
- Consider Low-maintenance materials
- Install outdoor entertaining areas
- Find the best Concrete contractors near me
Outdoor living areas are bigger than ever
Outdoor entertaining areas have sky-rocketed in popularity over recent years, with more families spending time at home than ever.
But there’s one thing most people forget…
Your backyard is like having extra home space that’s going to waste ¾ of the year. Updated outdoor living areas are considered by 98% of homeowners when it comes to adding value to your property.
Impressed?
Regardless if your family needs room to BBQ on weekends, somewhere safe for the kids to play, or even just a place to kick-back after work. The backyard can cater for all of these – and more. Let’s take a look at some of the best backyard upgrades for families.
Concrete foundations matter
If you’re going to install new backyard features it all starts with the groundwork. Yep, we’re talking about concrete patios, pathways and even your outdoor entertaining area.
Don’t skip this step.
Without a solid foundation of concrete every backyard upgrade will fall to pieces (literally) within a few seasons. Let’s take a closer look at why concrete matters and how to find the best beyond, searching for “Adelaide concreters near me”.
Why concrete is the foundation of your backyard
Patios, pathways and paved entertaining areas are the foundation of a functional backyard. Whilst grass may look nice, it offers nothing in regards to functionality and planning where you place things.
Think about:
- Paved entertaining areas for alfresco dining
- Well defined pathways to safely navigate around your yard
- Retaining walls to level sloped blocks or create garden beds
- Driveways
- Side access points
Hardscaping features like these can offer homeowners a great ROI when it comes time to sell. In fact, patio additions are said to provide an ROI of over 80%.
Wow.
Investing in concrete today truly pays-off down the line. But where should you begin?
Families should consider concrete contractors with experience working on residential properties.
When browsing contractors for your concrete project ask to see photos of previous work. Licensed professionals should have no problem providing examples of where they’ve worked before on homes similar to yours.
Here’s what you can expect from quality concrete contractors:
Create kid-friendly zones
If you have kids then chances are your backyard will undergo a lot of rough-and-tumble play. Sand pits, trampolines and outdoor toys require durable surfaces and room to move freely.
But did you know…
Ideally, child-friendly backyards create zones for play areas separate to where the adults spend time. This eliminates concerns about letting kids run free while entertaining guests or enjoying some alone time.
Plus, it’s easier to keep an eye on them! Take a look at some functional backyard additions ideal for families with children:
- Areas of soft-fall such as rubber mulch or synthetic grass underneath playground equipment
- Shade covers to prevent kids from overheating
- Open lawn space to run around
- Concrete pathways allow for biking and scooters without worrying about damaging lawns
Is your partner constantly worrying about broken toys and lawn damage?
Separating these areas allows children to play freely without parental worries. Oh, and remember to design your backyard in a way that allows adults to keep an eye on the kids from the patio.
Consider Low-maintenance materials
Ask anyone who hates gardening and they’ll wish for a low maintenance backyard. On the other-hand say hi to someone who loves landscaping and they’ll be googling quotes from local landscapers right now.
Low-maintenance backyards are possible.
Sure, it helps to have a green-thumb but there are plenty of backyard updates you can do that don’t require hours of upkeep. Take a look:
- Decorative concrete – stamped or exposed concrete won’t need painting for years
- Native plants – they’re called native for a reason. These plants will thrive in your yard without extra attention
- Artificial grass – who needs mowing, fertilising and watering when you can install fake grass?
- Composite decking – who wants to worry about splinters or sealing timber boards?
Here’s a fun fact…
The amount of maintenance your backyard requires depends greatly on what you install during the building process. Spending extra now on quality concrete and hardscaping can save you thousands of dollars (and headaches) down the track.
Take decking for example. A timber deck will need annual sealing and sanding where as quality concrete or composite substitutes need nothing more than an occasional wipe-down.
Surprised?
It’s true. Don’t forget to consider how much time you’ll spend maintaining your backyard when choosing which upgrades make sense for your family.
Install outdoor entertaining areas
All family gatherings tend to end-up outside don’t they?
Designing a dedicated space for outdoor entertaining is a must-have for families. Don’t worry if you’ve got limited backyard space. Get creative with these clever ideas.
Try:
- Define your patio area – Make sure there’s enough room for everyone. Including spacing for furniture to move around
- Plan for shade – Pergolas, awnings and covered areas let you enjoy your yard all year-round
- Lighting – Dusk doesn’t have to mean wrapping-up your backyard parties. String-lights, spotlights or even integrated LED’s are perfect.
- Power – Make sure you can plug-in speakers, food-processors and even phone chargers via outdoor power points.
Keep the guests flowing by installing features that allow your backyard to blend seamlessly with the indoors. Built bench seating around fire-pits looks great while hidden outdoor kitchens create flow with pathways that allow guests to move between your house and entertaining area without awkward dead ends.
Find the best Concrete contractors near me
Your backyard doesn’t need to be transformed overnight. Take your time planning which upgrades will suit your families needs and look for specialised contractors who can help bring your vision to life.
Looking for concrete contractors near me?
Find local, licensed professionals with lots of experience and a portfolio of work you can browse.
Concrete isn’t everything.
Your backyard makeover will most likely require multiple contractors each specialising in their chosen field. Exploit the experts and hire specific contractors for concrete, landscapers for soft elements, electricians for lighting and more.
Don’t feel pressured to hire the first person you find either. Take your time. Ask around. The more research you put in now the happier you’ll be years down the line.