Prepping the Space

Your lawn deserves a little TLC. Clean up your yard by raking if needed, pulling up old weeds, getting rid of fallen palm fronds and assessing your soil. Toss old or moldy patio furniture and pool toys. Next, start to think about what flowers will bloom best during the spring season and will tolerate our steamy SWFL climate:

• Egyptian Star Flowers also known as Pentas
• Begonias
• Periwinkles
• Rain Lilies

Of course, there are more flowers than listed that bloom during the spring but any of the flowers and plants listed above will add the right amount of color. After deciding which flowers you want, figure out where you would like to plant them. What would go best and where? Whether in the front yard, back yard or both, the flowers’ spring bloom will be sure to liven up the space.

How about those bulbs?

If you have landscape lighting, check to see if you need to replace any bulbs. If you don’t have outdoor lighting, maybe consider getting some string lights or lanterns. Stores like Home Depot or Lowe’s have the perfect assortment of landscape lighting. Some other great outdoor light fixtures are:

• Path lights
• Spot lights
• Deck lights
• Low voltage or solar lights

Get creative with your lighting. Hang them above a grotto if you have one or line the deck of your pool area. With path lights, you can set them up to guide people to your front door or outside to the patio area. Deck lights can be used to give that area a brighter look so when you host a party, it won’t actually feel like you’re in the dark.

Patio Furniture and Décor

Comfortable and homey patio furniture is all the rage. People want to feel as comfortable sitting outside as they do inside. Now, many home furniture and decoration stores such as Home Goods, Pier 1 and Target have a wide variety of options for outdoor furniture. If you want to make your backyard feel comfortable while helping it stand out, look into these:

• Sectionals
• Chairs & ottomans
• Colorful accent tables
• Chaise lounges and hammocks

Most outdoor furniture has customizable cushions and pillows. If your house or backyard has a theme, find the colors to match or start over and try something new. Online home stores such as Wayfair and Overstock are great places to look for furniture and décor. 

If you’re looking to revamp your landscape, now is the time to do it. Not everyone was born with a green thumb so if you’re looking to make some changes to the outside of your house, you could always hire a landscape design service.

The home building professionals at Gulfstream Homes are ready to get to work on your project. Call (239) 254-1664 or visit gulfstreamhomes.com to learn more.

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The post How to Add Spring Color Into your Landscape Design first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.

Carve Out the Space

It’s important to map out your backyard, especially if you are working with a custom home builder on a new home. If entertaining guests is going to be something that you plan to do often, keeping your builder in the loop is crucial. Work with them to design the position of your home on the lot and figure out the flow of the backyard. It’s important to create enough space for entertaining; you don’t want your guests to feel like they can’t move around freely. You also want to be sure to have enough privacy, either by implementing a custom privacy fence or by planting trees to help create the feel of a private backyard oasis.

Make It Comfortable

One of the key aspects to keep in mind when entertaining is guest comfort. Many homeowners work with their builders to implement various items into their backyards to make guests feel at home, including:

• Comfortable furniture
• Covered lanais
• Firepits for chilly evenings (yes, we get those occasionally!)
• Activities, such as shuffleboard or volleyball courts

Keeping your guests comfortable and entertained is important when hosting a backyard party. You also need to be sure that your backyard works for you as well. Incorporating an outdoor kitchen or BBQ area makes it easier to stay connected to your guests while you’re cooking. It eliminates the need for being forced to stay inside to prepare food, while your guests are outside.

Adequate Conversation Areas

Having the room and privacy for guests to have independent conversations with other guests is an important aspect to consider when planning your backyard. Create areas for guests to sit and socialize with other partygoers, including comfortable chairs and tables, so your guests can have a place to set their beverage while they chat.

Mood Lighting

There’s nothing better than socializing with friends and family amidst twinkling lights, feeling the salty air on your skin. What better way to create that feeling than with the beautiful glow of lanterns or café lights? The glow of these decorative, yet functional lights sets the mood and makes your guests feel comfortable and interested in their surroundings.

The Perfect Backyard

Remember, whether you’re building a new custom home or working with an existing home, if outdoor entertaining is important to you, keep these things in mind when you’re planning your next get-together. Don’t forget about aesthetics and guest comfort, and you’ll be on your way to becoming the perfect host. If you’re ready to build the perfect home with a backyard that’s perfect for entertaining, call the experts at Gulfstream Homes at (239) 254-1664 or visit www.gulfstreamhomes.com.

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The post How to Build a Backyard That’s Perfect for Entertaining first appeared on Gulfstream Homes.