10 Easy Garden Hacks to Completely Transform Your Outdoor Space

 

There’s a lot to be said about the exterior of a home – it’s the first thing people see when they approach your property and is responsible for that all important first impression. For this reason, front yards are often well kept and looked after, but this is rarely replicated in the back yard.

Not everyone is green thumbed or has the time to invest in maintaining a pleasant back garden, but failing to do so will almost certainly result in a sour mood when it is looked upon from a window. If your garden is in need of a bit of TLC but you don’t want to spend a whole of time doing it, here are 10 easy hacks to completely transform your yard in little to no time at all.

1. Turf

The biggest part of any garden is the groundwork, and for most people, that means the lawn. If you’re not the biggest fan of gardening, you probably pay little attention to your grass and therefore probably haven’t noticed that it’s covered in weeds, discolored, muddied or indeed dead. That being said, you’ll definitely notice if it’s glowing and vibrant and full of life! There are different types of turf and grass, but laying a new roll of fresh lawn (or fake grass if you’re really not interested in gardening) will instantly give your yard a facelift.

2. Fence

What borders your garden is almost as important as what’s inside the garden, and that means your fence. If yours is dilapidated or faded in color, it might be time to give it a quick clean and lick of paint. A bright white or pastel shade will transform the overall look of your backyard in less than a day. If you’re feeling particularly crafty, you could hang some solar powered string lights to illuminate your freshly painted fence and spruced up lawn.

3. Decking

Is your decking or patio looking a bit worse for wear? If so, it’s time to get the power washer (or scrubbing brush) out and hose it down. Getting rid of all the grime that’s built up on the surface will brighten up your back yard almost straight away. An added bonus is that it’s extremely satisfying to watch the dirt wash away, so it’s worth it just for that!

4. Plants

The most obvious way to transform your garden is to plant some flowers and shrubs, but if you’re not too keen on spending a lot of time doing that, you can make things easier by buying planters and filling them with colorful plants like sunflowers. They’re fairly low maintenance and can be dotted around the perimeter of your back yard to add a splash of color and life beyond your lawn.

5. Furniture

A lot of gardens look dull because they’re void of any stimulating items. If plants really aren’t for you, you can add character by purchasing some furniture like a table and chairs or a rattan lounge set. This will not only give you somewhere to sit and breathe in all nature has to offer in summer, but it will also peak interest and add some dimension to your garden.

6. Décor

Gardens can reflect your character just as much as any other part of your home, so don’t feel like you have to conform to what your neighbors are doing. String lights, solar lights in the soil, gnomes, mirrors and other quirky ornaments all have a place in your back yard and can really turn it into a unique space that reflects who you are – without the hassle of watering or planting!

7. Water Features

There’s something innately soothing about the sound of running water which might explain why so many people choose to add water features into their gardens when they revamp them. Whether it’s a big fountain or a small decorative feature piece, running water can not only change the look of a garden, but it can also completely change the feel of it, too. If you want to make your back yard more serene, a water feature is an easy way to do it.

8. Nature

If your back yard seems devoid of any habitable life, you can change it. Add a bird feeder and a bird bath to your back yard and watch nature flock. Not only will it bring some actual life to the exterior of your house, it will help the local wildlife out, too. If you want to go a step further, you can plant insect friendly shrubs such as honeysuckle and a snowball tree. These will provide plenty of pollen for bees and other insects who need all the help they can get.

9. Buildings

Do you have a shed or an outhouse in your back yard that looks unsightly? If so, paint it and plant some climbers against the walls to help freshen it up and make it blend it with the landscape more. Outbuildings can look ugly and really drag down the appearance of an outdoor space, but they’re so useful which creates a reluctance to get rid of them. If it’s your outhouse that’s ruining your garden’s aesthetic, climbing plants and a coat of paint could make all the difference.

10. Upcycling

We can all appreciate a nice garden, but having the money to achieve the look we want isn’t always an option. In this event, you can still create a nice back yard without spending any money. If planters are your main issue, improvise. A pair of old wellies, a colander and teapots can all be used as savvy plant pots. They are interesting to look at and are great for smaller plants. Likewise, you can use a ladder to make a tiered planting unit for smaller pots. Using what you have is good for the environment, but will also give your garden a bespoke facelift that no one else can replicate.

Will you be trying out any of these ideas?