Getting your home and garden in great shape in time for entertaining guests and all those warm summer evenings might seem a bit stressful at first, but with the best home design software (opens in new tab), you can plot short and more long-term renovations easily. That might include finding a good spot outside to plant a tree or place a birdbath, so you know exactly how it’ll look before you put it there. In the meantime, these quick backyard makeover tricks will have your garden looking lovely in no time.
Backyard makeover: Quick tips to get you started
Clean up your yardRearrange your garden furniture Cover bare earth with instant plants and shrubs Dress up parasols and trellis’ with garden lights Get cozy around a fire pit Prepare for a cookout with an outdoor grillSoak away the day with an inflatable tubDivide up your garden by rearranging furniture
1. Spring clean your yard
The first step to rejuvenating your backyard is a clean-up operation. Get results in an instant with the help of the best pressure washers (opens in new tab), and eradicate dirt from decking, brickwork, fences, or wooden surfaces. You’ll be sure to be impressed with the ‘before and after’ pictures of your space after they’ve come under the power of one of these washers, which can even be put to work on exterior walls. As a general rule, pressure washers can be used across outdoor surfaces such as patios, paving, driveways, and other sturdily built surfaces. Patio furniture should also be able to withstand a meeting with a pressure washer, so you can get to work on refreshing that too. Once your surfaces are looking altogether shinier, you can get a grip on any pesky unwanted shrubbery with the best electric weed eaters (opens in new tab), which will enable you to neaten up any areas that might have grown unruly. The magic of a quick clean should never be underestimated and combined with a tidy up of your plants, you should be able to see the difference already.
2. Define your backyard space
Making clear distinctions between different spaces in your garden is an easy way to break up space, and inject style. Whether you want to carve out a lounging area, an eating zone or a place for your kids to run around, creating divisions is sure to help each space feel more suitable. And making these zones feel more tangible doesn’t have to cost you anything either. Why not rearrange any garden furniture you already have, or might have in storage and set it up specific areas for relaxing or playing. Or, you could create a patio or decking zone from inexpensive wooden materials, as well as create a makeshift bar and invite all your friends for drinks.
3. Make your lawn the envy of your neighbors
A luscious green lawn is likely to be the centerpiece of any lovely-looking yard, and there’s no end to the wonders a quick run around with one of the best gas lawn mowers (opens in new tab) can do. With the arrival of the summer months, getting into a routine with your lawn care is essential, so why not treat yourself to a shiny new model in order to motivate yourself to get out there and make it look perfect. And with help from our guide on how to create lawn stripes (opens in new tab), you can make your backyard fit for a king and have all your guests asking how you managed it. Though it’s important to make a move to secure a new lawnmower sooner rather than later, as we’re entering peak season for gardening tool sales. Check out our hub of cheap lawnmower deals (opens in new tab), and bag yourself a bargain before the best models are snapped up.
4. Cover barren ground with instant shrubs
If a yard looks straggly, adding in instant plants, hedges and other greenery will instantly transform it. A trip to the garden center will not only revitalize the look of your space, but might inspire the whole family to do more green-fingered activities too, and get to grips with nature. You don’t have to wait a whole season to see the fruits of your labor with ready to plant shrubs, and instead can enjoy your yard in bloom immediately. These pink camellias (opens in new tab) are sure to make you feel more summery once they’re planted in your yard or you could pick up this persimmon tree (opens in new tab), and have tasty fruit as a feature of your garden too.
5. Spice things up with an outdoor grill
There’s no better excuse for a get-together than a cookout, and the best outdoor grills (opens in new tab) are the perfect way to get the conversation flowing whilst tucking into some lovely food. And you don’t necessarily need to opt for a hefty model to become a permanent fixture on your patio either; opting for a more portable-sized grill means you can take your appliance to friend’s gatherings too. A photo posted by on If you already have a gas grill that just needs a quick spruce up, why not consider creating an inviting space to settle down and eat under with some of the best solar outdoor lights (opens in new tab)? These will look lovely when trailed to create a canopy over any outdoor structures. Even better, as Instagrammer Frankie Johnson (opens in new tab) has done above, you can add in a hammock chair (opens in new tab) for an instant style upgrade, and nestle into a cozy corner of your garden for an evening of bliss.
6. Introduce a water therapy element
There’s nothing better than a relaxing dip after a long, hot summer’s day. An outdoor space that also has an area where you can wind down is sure to be a winner with adults and children alike, especially one that can be inflated in a matter of hours. That’s why adding one of the best inflatable hot tubs (opens in new tab) is an instant and easy way to create a little oasis of fun and relaxation. Inflatables are an excellent way to incorporate all of the elements of hydrotherapy and entertainment into a low hassle purchase, and are cheaper (though not as powerful) as the very best hot tubs (opens in new tab). And you don’t need to decide on a permanent spot with an inflatable, so you can even pack it up and take it on vacation with you. The incorporation of an inflatable tub is sure to encourage the whole family to spend more time in your outside space and will be a winner with any guests too. The biggest portable tubs can fit in up to seven people, so you can share the experience with a host of friends. If you suffer from aches and pains, and envisioning a backyard you can really wind down in, then you could select a smaller inflatable tub with more bubbles/jets, to massage the stresses of the day away.
7. Create the perfect ambience with a fire pit
There’s something innately comforting about crowding around a fire, so why not create a seated section of your garden which you can keep lounging in even after the sun has gone down. One of the best fire pits (opens in new tab) is a must-have accessory for anyone who loves to entertain, and can even double up as a perfect marshmallow toasting tool for the kids too.
