{"id":236,"date":"2013-04-29T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-04-29T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"\/post\/2013\/04\/29\/4-backyard-design-tips.aspx"},"modified":"2013-04-29T08:00:00","modified_gmt":"2013-04-29T15:00:00","slug":"4-backyard-design-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.richmondamerican.com\/blog\/4-backyard-design-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Backyard Design Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Backyard<\/p>\n

Spring and summer are prime times for enjoying your outdoor spaces. Is your yard ready? Whether you’re moving into a brand new home or just ready for a backyard makeover, a professional landscaper can help you create an outdoor escape that’s just right for your family. Here are four things to consider before you start asking for estimates:<\/p>\n

1. Set your budget.<\/span><\/h2>\n

How much you want to spend is largely a personal decision, but a general rule of thumb is to spend five to ten percent<\/a> of your home’s value on landscaping. You may choose to spend less, but if you spend much more, you may not see a return on your investment when it’s time to sell. If your dreams exceed your means, ask your landscaper about doing the work in phases or performing some of the labor yourself. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Think about how you would like to use your yard.\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Depending on how much space you have, and the budget you have to spend<\/a>, you may be able to customize the layout of your backyard to fit the ways you’d like to use it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Love to <\/span>barbeque?<\/span><\/em> Consider how much seating you’ll need, where you’ll position the grill and what you’ll do for entertainment during the party. That may help you decide how large your patio should be, what kind of furniture you’ll want, how much shade you’ll need and whether you should look into home technology, like an outdoor sound system.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Have children or pets?<\/em> Kids from toddlers to teens can benefit from outdoor activities. If you need lots of space for play, sports practice or a game of fetch with your four-legged friend, you might want to devote the majority of your yard to a healthy lawn. Not only is it comfortable to run on, but it’s also more durable than flowerbeds and other plantings. Other child-centered considerations:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n