London Inc. May/June 2021 - 40

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S P E C I A L E D I T O RI A L S E C T I O N

Create a backyard oasis
Transform your backyard into one-of-a-kind relaxation zone with these
nine budget-friendly tips and project ideas

CREATING A BACKYARD GETAWAY isn't as difficult as
you might think. Whether you're designing a whole new
outdoor living area or just looking to update your current
space, some planning ahead will help ensure your vision
comes to life. And you'll be well on your way with these
following tips.
1. SEGMENT YOUR BACKYARD
Think about who will be using your yard and how they
will use it. Will children be using your yard? Do you have
pets? Are you hoping to use your yard for outdoor entertaining? Remember you can create different spaces for
different uses in your landscape using strategic plantings
and hardscapes. Walkways can be used to move people
from one area to another.
2. CLEAR AWAY CLUTTER
Clutter makes even a beautiful backyard look small and
cramped. Clearing clutter will help you make the most of
your space. If you don't have anywhere to put your things
inside your home, garage or an outdoor storage unit, you
can buy furniture with built-in storage. For instance, think
of an outdoor couch with storage compartments that
allows you to put toys and games underneath it.
40 | londonincmagazine.ca | MAY / JUNE 2021

3. WATER FEATURES
People love being near the water. Even if you're not near
the water, you can bring the water to you with a gorgeous water feature. Water features are not only calming
but they bring beauty to the yard. There are many
different styles you can choose from depending on the
look that you want for your yard.
4. GO ALL OUT WITH THE PATIO OR DECK
When you're figuring out how you want to situate a deck
or patio, one of the things you need to determine is
whether you want it to be connected or free-standing.
If you have a great view far from the house, you might
decide you want to create a free-standing area. On the
other hand, if you love the look of your home and you
have a small backyard, you might opt to have a deck or
patio that is connected to the house.
5. SHADE
Make sure you plan out plenty of shade. If you have a
gorgeous backyard but nowhere to get out of the sun,
you're going to feel miserable and spend little time
there. You might put umbrellas around in various areas so
during different times of the day you'll have shade in the

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London Inc. May/June 2021

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