The Fall in Los Angeles is a wonderful time to gather friends and family and have fun basking in the sun as temperatures drop to…tolerable conditions! You can upgrade your backyard’s aesthetics and increase your property’s value by making small changes. Fire up the grill and follow these 10 ideas for making your backyard the perfect place to hang out this coming fall season.
Here at GreatBuildz, a free service that connects homeowners in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura & San Diego with reliable general contractors, we get inquiries every day about backyard remodeling projects – here are some great ideas for how to improve your space!
1. Relaxing Swimming Pool
Swimming is one of the most fun ways to cool off when the weather gets hot. Consider renovating your backyard by installing a swimming pool. The best part is that there are several types of pools you can choose from, depending on your budget and the space you’re working with. You could get an above-ground pool made from steel frames, for example. Above-ground pools are portable and convenient if you live in a place with bad weather like hurricanes.
Or you could spring for an in-ground pool. These pools are durable and can add exceptional aesthetics to your backyard. A waterfall, rock wall, or fountain can make your pool look like a resort in the center of paradise.
2. Soothing Hot Tub
Another way to take your backyard to the next level is by adding a jacuzzi. A hot tub is a great accompaniment to your pool, especially an in-ground swimming pool. Placing the jacuzzi adjacent to the pool will make your house the preferred hangout spot for your friends.
There are also health benefits to using a hot tub regularly. When you submerge yourself in a jacuzzi, you provide stress relief to your brain after a long day and improve your sleep at night. Warm water helps those with chronic joint pains and achy muscles. You can also lower your blood pressure.
3. Gorgeous Gazebo
An excellent way to add value and aesthetic appeal to your home is to invest in a gazebo for your backyard. These structures are multi-functional and highly customizable.
Add tables and chairs to create a wonderful atmosphere for dining in the warm fall evenings. You could put a hot tub in the middle of the gazebo to shelter it from bad weather and create an intimate atmosphere for your jacuzzi time. Or, add hammocks and couches for a comfortable place to rest while reading a book and taking in the smells of nature.
4. Beautiful Landscaping
If you’re considering selling your house in the future, outdoor aesthetics give a critical first impression to appraisers and potential buyers. Acing the curb appeal of your landscaping is an easy way to impress those people and your friends when they come over for a barbecue.
Start with trimming the shrubs and hedges. Keeping these plants looking sharp shows you care about your backyard and how it looks. Add colorful plants that complement the color of your house and the rest of the yard. If you want eco-friendly, low-maintenance material, try adding mulch or wood chips. It will add color and help maintain the plants in your yard.
5. Crackling Fire Pit
Think back to your favorite nights in the outdoors as a kid. Did you gather around the campfire and sing your favorite songs? For your backyard, a fire pit is an effortless way to provide your friends and family with a good time and lighting throughout the night. All you need are marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate bars to make s’mores and start the party.
Nowadays, you can place a fire pit nearly anywhere you see fit in the backyard. A wood-burning pit needs open air and must follow the laws in your area regarding open burning. A propane fire pit is smokeless and can go in your gazebo, on the deck, or anywhere it fits best.
6. Comfortable Outdoor Furniture
If you’re going to have guests come over, giving them a comfortable place to sit is a wise decision. Consider a large dining table with an umbrella to shade you from the elements. Try finding comfortable couches, loveseats, sectionals, recliners, or anything else that will make you and your guests happy.
You can use these outdoor furniture pieces for more than just get-togethers. If you work from home, sitting on a couch outside can be a great way to relax and get some fresh air while still being productive.
7. Fun Game Tables
Gaming tables are an outstanding addition to a backyard, especially for friends and family who like to compete and have fun.
Putting a pool table outside gives everybody room for their sticks instead of a room indoors where they may feel cramped. Table tennis or ping pong is another superb gaming table to put outside. Giving space for the players will help them be safe and prevent paddles or balls from hitting someone in the face.
8. Lively Outdoor Bar
In addition to gaming tables, an outdoor bar is perfect for setting up a social atmosphere your friends will enjoy. Crafting your bar allows you to set up your home’s tavern however you’d like.
If you’re a wine connoisseur, you could have an outdoor wine cooler to keep your bottles at your preferred temperature. Whiskey barrels can provide great aesthetics and serve as stools or a base for tables. Your outdoor bar can also contribute to extra seating for all the guests.
9. Delicious Fruit Trees
Though they may take a while to grow, fruit trees can be a fantastic addition to your backyard. The trees will provide shade and free fruit to anybody who comes over and wants a sweet snack. By planting fruit trees, you’re contributing to a greener planet because they help save water, provide oxygen, and combat climate change.
If you live in a subtropical climate, you can try growing mangos, pineapples, bananas, and avocados. Cooler climates make way for growing apples, plums, pears, peaches, and more. These fruits can go great with your outdoor bar or backyard grill. If you’re here in Los Angeles, these are the best fruit trees you should consider planting this year.
10. Fiery Backyard Grill
Saving the best for last, your ultimate backyard hangout isn’t complete without a grill! When you think of fall in Los Angeles, you might think of all the barbecues you want to host on these warm evenings. To create that cookout atmosphere, put a barbecue grill in your backyard. You can use different grills, such as charcoal, electric, propane, or pellet. For slow-cooking meats, try a smoker.
There are numerous benefits to grilling outside. When you grill meats, vegetables, and other foods, you create terrific smells that stay outside of your home. You’ll also keep your indoors cool and lessen the strain on your air conditioner. Consider getting a stainless-steel grill because it’s easy to clean, improving your backyard’s aesthetics.
Build Your Backyard Better
Your backyard is a popular place to make memories with friends and family. The early fall months are a marvelous time to dive in the swimming pool, tan on the deck, and have a party with those you love most. By decorating your backyard, you’ll create a remarkable space that will impress your guests and potential homebuyers. Upgrades like a swimming pool, gazebo, and neat hedges will help increase your property value too.
When it comes to finding the best backyard remodeling contractor in Los Angeles, Orange County, Ventura or San Diego – GreatBuildz is simplifying the contractor search. GreatBuildz is a free service that connects homeowners with reliable, thoroughly screened general contractors and provides project support from start to finish.
Call now (818.317.3567) to chat with a real person about your next renovation project or visit our website for more information: www.greatbuildz.com
Author:
Rose Morrison is a home & construction writer from Pittsburgh, PA. She’s the managing editor of Renovated, a web magazine for the real estate industry. She’s most interested in sharing home projects and inspiration for the most novice of DIY-ers, values she developed growing up in a family of contractors.
