Eliminate Immediate Eye Sores in Your Garden, Advise Experts promptly
Declutter Your Backyard and Turn It into a Haven:
Keeping your home tidy is essential, but don't forget about your backyard. With its multi-purpose functions - eating, socializing, gardening, and more - it's easy for clutter to pile up. Here's what the experts advise for weeding out the mess in your outdoor area, making it more appealing and ideal for entertaining.
Oust Overgrown and Invasive Plants
Seasonal clean-up and regular pruning are pillars of keeping your landscape tidy, but removing high-maintenance, non-native plants can save you time and effort. As Mary Phillips of the National Wildlife Federation explains, "Some non-native shrubs, like boxwood, require frequent pruning to maintain a manicured shape. Replacing them with native shrubs, such as inkberry, offers a cleaner look with less maintenance."
Say Goodbye to Old and Worn-Out Furniture
Certain outdoor materials are made to withstand weather, but others can deteriorate over time. Alexander Betz, a landscape designer at Plant by Number, suggests, "Rusty metal chairs, brittle plastic tables, or sagging hammocks not only wear out, but they can make your yard feel neglected. Refresh your setup by assessing its durability and visual appeal. Replace what no longer adds comfort or charm, and revitalize your space with some weather-resistant pieces."
Revamp Tattered Cushions
If your furniture's structural elements are sound, consider investing in new cushions or covers. Grey Joyner of Grey Joyner Interiors points out, "Faded colors, mildew stains, or sagging foam are signs that cushions have had their day. Swapping out old cushions can modernize your outdoor space and limit visual clutter."
Rethink Unpleasant Lighting
The right lighting can create a warm, inviting ambiance for evening gatherings or provide added safety around walkways. But harsh, too-bright, or broken fixtures can diminish the appeal of your backyard. According to Alexander Betz, "Too much lighting or the wrong kind can make your backyard feel harsh and cluttered. Instead, opt for subtle, downward-facing solar lights or soft string lights to highlight key areas, keeping the space calm and cohesive."
Simplify Excessive Decor
While adorning your yard with accessories can provide a personal touch, overdoing it can create unnecessary clutter. Grey Joyner recommends, "A few choice accents, like a sculptural bird bath or a beautiful planter, can add personality, but too many small ornaments, figurines, or garden signs quickly become overwhelming. Choose fewer, larger pieces to make a greater impact while maintaining a clean aesthetic."
Remove Broken Bird Feeders
Neglected or broken bird feeders can not only be unsightly but also pose a risk to birds. Mary Phillips explains, "Bird feeders that aren't cleaned regularly can spread disease, making them unnecessary. If they are rarely visited or in disrepair, removing them can create a more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing backyard."
Address Unfinished Garden Projects
Excess project materials like mulch, leftover stones, or random wooden planks can contribute to a cluttered appearance. Move these items out of sight, and be mindful of unfinished garden beds or patchy grass areas. Alexander Betz recommends covering these with native ground covers or organic mulch to maintain a tidy appearance and benefit the soil.
Store Outdoor Toys
Though they're essential for play, toys and sports equipment can detract from the look of your backyard. When they're not in use, store them in a garage, shed, or box to keep your outdoor space tidy.
Embrace a Minimalist Approach
By applying these strategies, you can breathe new life into your backyard. By decluttering, you are giving your outdoor space a clean, inviting look that seamlessly ties function with style.
Bonus Tips:- Seek Durable Storage Solutions: Invest in functional and visually appealing storage solutions to keep essential items organized and out of sight.- Implement the 'One-Year Rule': Declutter your yard by removing tools or items not used within the past year.- Schedule Regular Maintenance Sessions: Maintain the tidy appeal of your backyard by scheduling monthly cleanup days throughout the year.- Let Nature Lend a Hand: Introduce plants that self-propagate or spread to cover bare spots and reduce the need for regular mulching or weeding.- Make Aesthetic Choices: Enhance the overall appearance of your backyard by incorporating decorative elements like outdoor furniture, garden sculptures, or planters that complement your home's style.- Nurture a Sustainable Yard: Create a donation area to encourage the recycling of unused items and make the decluttering process more efficient.
- Incorporate native shrubs, such as inkberry, into your landscaping to replace high-maintenance, non-native plants like boxwood, offering a cleaner look with less maintenance.
- Examine your outdoor furniture's durability and visual appeal; replace worn-out items that no longer add comfort or charm, and refresh your space with weather-resistant pieces.
- For a modernized outdoor look and to limit visual clutter, consider investing in new cushions or covers when old cushions show faded colors, mildew stains, or sagging foam.
- To prevent harsh or cluttered lighting, opt for subtle, downward-facing solar lights or soft string lights to highlight key areas to maintain a calm and cohesive backyard ambiance.
- Reduce unnecessary clutter by simplifying excessive decor and selecting few, larger pieces over many small ornaments, figurines, or garden signs to make a greater impact while maintaining a clean aesthetic.
- Address unfinished garden projects by storing excess project materials, unfinished garden beds, and patchy grass areas, as well as removing broken bird feeders to create a streamlined, aesthetically pleasing backyard.
