People often wish they had a magic wand to transform their backyard into a beautiful, welcoming feature.  If one’s outdoor space is more miserable than magical, it’s time to figure out how to change it from jungle to joyful!

Creating a stunning outdoor space that works well for the family and looks good won’t happen overnight – magic wands simply don’t exist. This season we are spending more time outside than ever, which makes it critical to have our backyards in tiptop shape! With a little bit of planning and the right set of quality tools from my fave supplier Psep.biz, you can transform your outdoor space into your own private oasis the whole family will enjoy all summer long!

Analyze Your Space!

Before starting you project take a good look at your backyard space. What time of day does the sun reach it?  Does the yard need more privacy from neighbors?  Does an unattractive view need to be blocked?

Choose Your Backyard’s Purpose

Once you have decided what needs to be changed, take into account the fact that the backyard will be a place for fun and play for a number of years. You may also want the space to be an attractive oasis for relaxation, or a pleasant place for entertaining. The garden may even be transformed into a practical space where one can grow an assortment of fruit and vegetables.

Purchase the Right Tools and Equipment

To start creating your dream outdoor space don’t skimp out on purchasing quality, durable tools! A spade, rake, and hoe will help keep you on top of the gardening, but heavy-duty goods like chainsaws, lawnmowers, and power screwdrivers will help speed up your garden revamp

Create a Stunning Focal Point

The keep to an effective landscaping makeover is to create a focal point.  What this could be depends on the type of garden you want, but creating a seating space or even a water fountain is always a good idea.  Who doesn’t want an attractive, tranquil space in which to relax and enjoy the fruits of their labor?

Revive Old Garden Furniture

Give your old garden furniture a quick makeover with a fresh lick of paint and turn some spare fabric into chair cushions, to achieve a new look for next to nothing.

Create a Shady Spot

If the outdoor seating area gets a lot of sun, it may be a good idea to ditch the parasol and construct a more solid structure for shade.  A wooden arbor can make all the difference in making a bland space magical. A small metal barn can add an industrial touch as well. Plant some climbing shrubs like honeysuckle by the arbor and create a gorgeous scented area to enjoy time with family and friends.  Make sure to add some beds or containers full of sweet smelling plants like carnations, lavender, or stocks.

Quick Outdoor Flooring Tip

If you are short on time, a tiled or gravelled section for your seating area is a good choice.  Just add containers full of flowers to add a splash of color, sit back, and enjoy!

So what does really ‘alfresco’ mean? You’ve hear it one too many times this season – Alfresco simply means “eating outdoors” in Italian! Getting out in the fresh air with a big appetite, great weather, a lovely atmosphere, and most of all appreciating a slower pace of life! Dining alfresco doesn’t mean pulling up a chair and simply taking your plate outdoors, there is a whole other dimension when it comes to mastering this Italian tradition. Take a look at these gorgeous outdoor arrangements and find out what makes them so great:

New York Terrace

This red brick terrace takes on the perfect view of New York’s Shelter Island. The big, oversized lanterns make the perfect addition to a romantic later night dinner.

Charming Courtyard

Everything about this backyard setup is absolutely charming! I am in love with the red terra cotta roofing, string lights, and loads of planters overflowing with tiny colorful flowers. It’s all i the details!

Balcony Tea Time

Alfresco dining doesn’t always have to mean in the backyard under the trees, you can dine on your balcony too. Two comfy benches, and a simple umbrella turn a regular balcony into an intimate place to sip tea or cool berry punch.

Classic Tuscan Patio

Brick and wrought iron is a Tuscan staple when it comes to outdoor decor and furniture. Consider purchasing wrought iron furniture (it lasts years!) and pair it with matching heavy iron lanterns for a magical outdoor ambience.

Simple Yet Beautiful

A outdoor meal is anything but prim and proper! This rustic style alfresco setup proves that not every meal has to be fancy schmancy. Throw a burlap tablecloth over your stone patio furniture and pile up a big bowl of organic fruits from your garden. Enjoy a simple, healthy snack and treat yourself to some Italian wine!

Sunny Oceanfront Lunch

Remember to dress your table for the occasion! Roll out a table cloth with pretty summer prints and artfully tailor your dining table with a nice centrepiece. A big bowl or basket full of your favorite fruits and some sprigs from the garden is a simple way to decorate your outdoor setting in a snap!

Simple Yet Sweet

Dining alfresco can be a great way to enjoy eating outdoors and soaking up the sunshine. Believe it or not, it’s also a good way to ward off depression! Enjoying a nice meal outside doesn’t need to be complicated. Place a small round table in an intimate corner of  your patio and pull up a few wrought iron garden chairs. If you have a not-so-great table just cover it with a tablecloth! Including a nice garden fountain is also a plus because its great for relaxing and brings an enchanted and magical ambience.

Dining High In The Sky

There is something magical about eating over a big, bustling city. Even if you are far away from anything dreamy and romantic like Tuscany, you can always eat alfresco in the heart of the city! Turn your roof top terrace into a dreamy candlelit alfresco style party and dinner by adding hints of the countryside with canvas director’s chairs and a big steel farmhouse style lantern.

Arrange Your Furniture Right

When placing your furniture around your pool patio, make sure it makes sense and serves a purpose wherever it is placed. For example, right by your poolside place several reclining chairs for sunbathing and seating. Near the bbq, set up an outdoor eating arrangement with a table, several chairs and a large outdoor rug.  Make sure not to arrange furniture too close to the pool, keep chairs away from the edge to make sure there is enough room to move around.

Clean up & Declutter 

As we are all aware, the beauty of a swimming pool lies in a well-kept patio. But, does decorating it and not maintaining it well make sense? Not at all! Here’s how to spruce things up. First of all, do away with unwanted items to create the illusion of space. Get rid of any unwanted pieces of furniture in your patio, and create more space for more beautiful flower pots. Moreover, clean up, and trim and way-ward shrubs for a cleaner and peaceful atmosphere.

Dust your garden furniture and flower pots, and later brush with a hard-bristled brush to eliminate dirt and debris. Pour soapy water and scrub using the hard-bristled brush until the entire area sparkles.  

Your pool also matters; you don’t want to have a beautiful patio surrounded by a dirty pool. If it has cloudy pool water, use a swimming pool clarifier or pool flocculant to clean up. This type of water may result from improper chemicals, high alkalinity, and low calcium hardness levels.

Provide a Shield From the Sun

Place a large patio umbrella over your eating table to shield from the sun and rain. You can also set up a nice gazebo or even a veranda for a more permanent solution. I love the look of a patio cover with luscious vines growing above – it adds a great Tuscan feel and is even more beautiful when you can pick grapes, kiwis, or flowers from above.

Add a Fountain

To add a fountain effect to your pool, you can install a full fountain in the center or add small fountains or even sprinkles at the side of the pool. This is a great way to add interest, and spice up the fun while swimming or taking a dip in the pool! You can also add a separate patio fountain somewhere near your deck for a similar effect, but at a lower cost.

Show Your Artistic Side with Sculptures

Create an artistic look by your pool by adding sculptures or large concrete urns on each corner of your pool. You can plant beautiful flowers to add color and charm to your pool, but make sure to choose plants that don’t dry and shrivel up to avoid unnecessary clean-up. I love the look of Roman inspired sculptures that mimic the look and feeling of the old Roman baths. There are tons of styles you can choose from to decorate around your pool, but keep in mind that you really can’t go wrong with a gorgeous urn stuffed with beautiful flowers.

Add Decorative Tiles

The easiest way to dramatically change the look of your pool is by adding decorative tiles around the border. This is not only an affordable way but it also gives a customized, and unique feel to your outdoor oasis. Make sure to put safety first and install tiles that aren’t slippery like rough stones or tiles that have some grip. You can always hire a designer like Edge Leisure to design the look of your pool to get it just right.