Yard Decoration and Yard Design

Yard design is what you make of it. Unlike, say, your house's foundation, yard decoration and design can be easily changed and changed again as many times as you like. For homeowners with a front yard, backyard, or both, there are lots of things you can add or subtract to improve value, beauty, and function.

Front Yard Design
The front of your house is what the world sees. If a house were a person, the front yard would be what it wore to the prom. Aside from the gnomes, mushrooms, and (classic?) pink flamingoes, the front yard should be adorned with living, breathing decoration. This is where a display of flowers or potted plants can bring visual joy not just to the people who live in the house, but to passersby as well.

Flowers and plants look even better against the backdrop of a lush green lawn. Grass needs a bit of care, especially in drier climates. A lawn irrigation system might be necessary to keep your yard's curb appeal in top shape. There are a variety of irrigation techniques to choose from, and each works best with certain types of plants. A drip irrigation system, for example, is ideal for flowerbeds or small gardens. It would be nearly useless on an entire lawn, which requires much more water. On the other hand, sprinklers for a flowerbed often result in a lot of water run off. This is costly to the environment as well as the wallet.

The finest contractor-installed sprinkler system money can buy might not satisfy your needs as well as a hose with a few holes punched into it. It all depends on your particular lawn. It's good to get a professional opinion or read up on irrigation options before you purchase anything.

Out Back Yard Design
From seek and hide to slip and slide, a backyard is the quintessential place to play for adults and children alike. Yard design is, here, more function than form. This is where you can build that barbecue pit or erect that swing set. If the front yard is an evening gown or suit and tie, the backyard is a pair of overalls.

When yard decoration needs to be functional, there is little need for flash. This is especially true if there are kids around. Flowers, herbs, and other things that look nice, but can easily be trampled might fair better out front. In the back it's better to think walnut, oak, or apple. Having a tree in a backyard not only adds a more solid type of beauty, it also provides shade: a necessity on hot summer afternoons.

While we're on the subject, nothing goes better with a tree's shade than a picnic table. It's hard to imagine a finer place for lemonade (or cocktails). You're also going to need a place to sit while everybody tells you how good all that barbecue tastes.

A backyard should have all the things you need, and none of the things you don't. To keep it free of clutter, a trip to the local thrift store could be in order. Seasonal items that you want to hold on to can be moved to an attic or basement. This protects them and streamlines your yard simultaneously. For even more convenience, consider putting up a small shed.