Have you taken full advantage of the potential of your backyard space? Now might be the time to rethink your landscaping and create spaces for sitting, eating, and taking in the view of the outdoors. You can take your visions of an outdoor retreat and create your own personal oasis right by your home.

Spatial Composition – One of the first items to consider as your plan your backyard makeover is how you will divide up space outside. Do you have miles of property? Do you have a pool, fountain or lake you want to showcase? Would a rock path invite guest to explore? Before you drill down to the little details, consider how each part of the backyard will fit into the big picture.

Sitting Areas – What are your goals for redoing your backyard? Do you want more communal space for lounging and enjoying summer dusk, crisp fall nights, brisk winter mornings or spring afternoons? You can reserve your favorite area of the lawn for social time by adding a wooden gazebo that matches the style of your home. Furnish the space with benches, picnic tables or Adirondack chairs, then enjoy relaxing in the lovely shade of the wooden gazebo.

Plants and Trees – Once you know the areas where items will be planted, it’s time for the fun part: picking out the flowers, greenery and trees that will transform the look and feel of your outdoor space. Whether you have a green thumb or plan to hire a professional landscaper, you will still be making choices about how you what kind of natural beauty you want to display.

Once you have designed a welcoming space with your little backyard paradise, you can start planning the next event you will host, and enjoy the peace and calm until then.