Monday, August 5, 2024

An interior decorator shares 7 mistakes you should never make in your backyard

A pond and waterfall area surrounded by plants and grasses at a country home. The water is green and has lily pads floating across the surface
As an interior decorator, there are a few mistakes I'd avoid when designing a backyard.
  • As an interior decorator, I've seen lots of mistakes that can downgrade a backyard.
  • I suggest avoiding dark-colored furniture and floodlights.
  • Water features can be a huge hassle without a proper maintenance routine in place.

Designing a backyard is more than picking out cool furniture or planting flowers. If you do it the right way, you can even increase your home's value by 15% to 20% when it's time to sell it.

But as an interior decorator, I've seen many people make avoidable mistakes that can turn a potential paradise into a problem zone. 

Here are seven mistakes to avoid when designing your backyard.

Ignoring your local climate when purchasing furniture. 
A small brick patio area with white wire framed table and chairs. The small white table is circular and surrounded by four metal chairs.
Metal furniture can quickly rust in coastal climates.

I often see people choose furniture that doesn't suit their local climate. For instance, metal furniture can rust in the coastal salty air, and using untreated wood in sunny, arid climates can cause furniture to dry out, crack, and warp.

These mistakes look unsightly and weaken the furniture. Instead, I suggest choosing weather-resistant options designed for your environment.

For example, high-density polyethylene furniture (structures made from mainly recycled materials resistant to rusting and cracking) holds up well in regions with harsh weather. 

Relying on flood lights to illuminate the backyard.
A large white and tab house with a balcony and backyard filled with trees and greenery. The yard is illuminated by floodlights
Flood lights can look too harsh in a backyard.

Proper lighting is essential for efficiency and ambiance. Though floodlights may be needed for utility purposes, they're too bright to create a relaxing environment.

Instead, I recommend using a mix of ambient lighting (lighting that provides the most illumination for a space), like string lights, sconces, or lanterns.

Install task lighting — bright directional light meant to illuminate a work area — for activities like grilling. Finally, accent lights — lighting intended to highlight certain features — can elevate water fountains or garden paths. 

Using dark colors in hot climates.
A black bench next to a red brick house and a concrete patio space
Dark-colored furniture will likely absorb a lot of heat.

Dark-colored furniture and flooring absorb heat, making them uncomfortable in sunny climates. For example, a dark metal bench will be scorching hot under the midday sun.

Asphalt ground coverings or dark stone pavers will radiate more heat than lighter tones and materials. I recommend opting for beige concrete and light wood tones, which will better reflect sunlight and stay cool to the touch.

Ignoring the scale of your patio. 
A patio area with a white couch, a bench, and a white table with yellow flowers on it. The patio sits next to a house with white siding.
An unplanned patio can look too cramped.

Selecting furniture that doesn't match the scale of your outdoor space can disrupt visual harmony — the balanced arrangement of furniture and decor.

For instance, a massive sectional on a small patio can make the area feel cramped. Alternatively, a small set of chairs on a large deck will seem unfinished.

To make the backyard an intentional extension of your home, incorporate the same design rules you'd use indoors. For example, ensure you have 3 feet of clearance around large furniture, avoid placing seats further than 10 feet apart, and allow for about 1-½ feet between a couch and coffee table.

Overlooking privacy solutions. 
A large backyard with hedges and several trees surrounding the perimeter. The yard has a small patio area with gray furniture and a pond.
Trees and fences create a backyard with privacy.

Open decks with no privacy measures make me feel like I'm on display for my neighbors. To create a more secluded space, I like to layer various solutions, such as evergreen trees, privacy hedges, and fences.

If you have a large yard, consider installing a pergola with climbing plants or a closed wall facing the neighbors. These elements not only enhance privacy but also add to the visual appeal of a backyard.

Installing water features without understanding the required maintenance. 
A backyard with a small pond with a water fountain surrounded by several rocks and flowers and grass
Water features, like ponds, require routine cleaning.

Water features like fountains or ponds can add a tranquil vibe to a backyard. Still, they need regular upkeep to avoid issues like algae growth or mosquito breeding.

Fountains and ponds can clog and stop working over time, and standing water, such as birdbaths, needs to be emptied regularly.

I recommend clients who love water features establish a maintenance routine that includes regular cleaning, using water treatments (such as sludge reducers), and checking pumps and filters.

Skipping on shade options.
A backyard with a wooden fence, several small plants, and a small garden area. A blue sky overlooks the yard.
It's important to make sure a backyard has plenty of shade.

Without planning for adequate shade, your backyard can become unbearable on hot days. Structures like retractable awnings, umbrellas, and pergolas with UV-resistant fabric covers are great ways to add shade to a backyard.

If your yard has tall trees, I recommend planning the layout to account for the sun's direction in the summer months so that you can use the trees' natural shade.

Read the original article on Business Insider


from All Content from Business Insider https://www.businessinsider.com/backyard-mistakes-you-should-never-make-from-interior-decorator-2024-8
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