By Debbi Mayster | Contributor
The housing market is marked by its fluctuations, and recent years have seen a surge in home renovation projects. As many individuals find themselves working, relaxing, and spending more time at home, the trend has shifted toward enhancing existing spaces rather than relocating to achieve the ideal living environment. A pertinent question arises: how can these enhancements extend to our outdoor spaces, particularly our backyards?
According to a recent survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of the TurfMutt Foundation, an impressive 76 percent of Americans with yards believe that their outdoor space is a vital aspect of their homes. This growing emphasis on backyard design aligns with the attention typically given to interior spaces.
“Improvements made to your backyard can bolster your home’s resale value, but they also serve to enrich your current enjoyment of the space,” explains Kris Kiser, President & CEO of the TurfMutt Foundation. This organization advocates for the value of caring for green spaces, including private yards and communal parks.
He mentions his personal enjoyment from their backyard renovation, saying it feels as though they have expanded their home simply by optimizing their outdoor area.
If you’ve already tackled improvements within your home, such as fresh paint, new flooring, or upgraded appliances, it’s time to think about how to bring that renovation spirit outdoors. How might you transform your backyard into a more functional “outdoor living room” that meets your family’s needs while revitalizing your home?
The TurfMutt Foundation offers seven ideas to help translate indoor renovations into outdoor enhancements:
• Indoor flooring replacement = enhancing yard appearance and turf quality.
Your lawn serves as the foundation for your outdoor space. Enhance existing grass through overseeding or aeration, or consider installing new sod. Start by tidying up flower beds and removing any debris from the yard to set the stage for further development. Outdoor power tools like lawn mowers and hedge trimmers can make these tasks more manageable.
• Repainting interiors = adding flowering plants to attract local wildlife.
Just as a new coat of paint revitalizes indoor spaces, planting flowers can do wonders for your yard. Opt for native plants that flourish in your locality, as they benefit the ecosystem and require less maintenance. Choosing native perennials allows you to enjoy their beauty for years without replanting annually, while also providing habitat and sustenance for pollinators and wildlife.
• Upgrading appliances = refreshing your outdoor power equipment collection.
Selecting suitable equipment tailored to your yard size enhances your maintenance experience. Fortunately, there is a plethora of options for all preferences, including robotic mowers that mimic a Roomba for lawns and lightweight, battery-powered leaf blowers. For larger spaces, zero-turn mowers or UTVs may be advantageous.
• Replacing indoor furniture = designing valuable outdoor areas.
Outdoor furniture should reflect your family’s lifestyle and needs. Consider essential pieces such as picnic tables for study sessions, outdoor sectionals for social gatherings, hammocks for relaxation, or even an outdoor office setup to achieve a better work-life balance.
• Kitchen updates = incorporating an outdoor cooking space.
The possibilities for an outdoor kitchen are vast. You can opt for a fully equipped setup, including a sink, refrigerator, and built-in grill, or keep it simple with a quality grill and a beverage cart or cooler.
• Home additions = creating a designated outdoor living area.
If your time and budget allow, consider adding a deck or hardscaped area, or even a screened-in porch. Alternatively, optimize your existing yard with features like a soccer field, a fire pit with string lights for winter ambiance, or a vine-covered pergola to bring in summer charm.
• Installing an indoor game room = developing outdoor activity zones.
Transform your backyard into a community gathering spot by creating designated zones for activities like cornhole, soccer, or bocce ball. These areas can help reduce screen time for kids while fostering family fun. A patio or deck serves as an excellent venue for game nights, and installing a swimming pool could further cement your yard as the preferred hangout for your kids and their friends. Incorporate plants like shrubs and hedges to delineate various activity zones.
Download the International Backyarding Fact Book to discover the benefits of spending time in our yards and community parks for both personal well-being and environmental health.
About TurfMutt
Established by the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute’s (OPEI) TurfMutt Foundation, TurfMutt has reached over 70 million kids, educators, and families since its inception in 2009. Through partnerships with educational organizations like Weekly Reader, Discovery Education, and Scholastic, TurfMutt has engaged students and teachers in environmental stewardship through their yards. Currently, TurfMutt serves as an official education partner of the USGBC® and contributes to their global LEARNING LAB. The program is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon Schools, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, and various environmental education initiatives. In 2017, TurfMutt received the Cynopsis Kids Imagination Award for Best Interstitial Series due to its animated video series, and its habitat has been featured in Wildlife Habitat Council calendars from 2017-2020. For more information, visit www.TurfMutt.com.
