Transform your outdoor space into an HGTV-worthy oasis with our step-by-step guide. Learn how to design, plant and maintain a stunning yard that’s both beautiful and low-maintenance.
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HGTV-Inspired: 5 Steps to Create Your Dream Yard
The dream of having a beautiful outdoor space on your property isn’t so hard to achieve. While it does take work, creating an HGTV dream yard is possible with proper planning and designing. As you make your plans, keep in mind that the best yards are easy to maintain, which frees up your time for hosting cookouts and other special moments in one of your favorite places on your property.
Step 1 – Sketch Out a General Design and Color Scheme
HGTV dream yards don’t just pop up overnight. Instead, a crew of designers set to work creating a plan that everyone can use to execute their assignments. Take a moment to create a rough sketch of your property. Then, add the design elements that you hope to see. For instance, you might want to include an outdoor kitchen or a meandering pathway that’s lined with flowers. You’ll use this sketch as a road map as you work with landscapers or put yourself to work.
Step 2 – Choose Low Maintenance Outdoor Plants
Plants make every yard look better, but the last thing you need is droopy flowers or dried-up leaves littering your property. Start by looking for low-maintenance plants that fit your design scheme. Adding a mixture of shrubs, trees, and flowers to your property helps it to feel like a true oasis from your hectic lifestyle.
Step 3 – Arrange Outdoor Furniture As You Would a Living Room
Speaking of an outdoor oasis, you’ll need a place to rest as you gather with family and friends or enjoy a book alone. When you look at outdoor furniture, consider the size of the space you’ve created for entertaining. Then, look for pieces that fit within that space and still generate a cozy vibe like you feel in your home’s living room. Arranging the furniture so that people face each other fosters conversations and makes gathering outdoors more appealing.
Step 4 – Perfect the Art of Lawn Mowing
Many people are unaware that using the wrong or poorly maintained lawn mower can do more harm than good. If you’ve ever wondered how the homes on HGTV have such beautiful lawns, then it helps to know that the secret is in the mower. Using a high-quality lawn mower with sharpened blades places less stress on the grass. With crisp cuts, each blade stands up perfectly and creates that lush look that will be the envy of your neighborhood.
Step 5 – Add a Few Finishing Touches
Once the main landscaping and outdoor seating areas are finished, you’re ready to put on the finishing touches. One of the reasons why yards stand out on HGTV is that the designers include special pieces that bring all of the elements together. Try adding string lights, lanterns, throw pillows and other small touches to your yard. You’ll find having a warm glow of lights
twinkling over the seating area creates an inviting scene that genuinely feels like you’ve come home.
Additional Things to Consider
Now that you know the five steps to creating a dream yard worthy of appearing on HGTV, let’s look at a few additional things to consider.
Budget Considerations
When planning your HGTV-inspired dream yard, it’s important to have a realistic budget in mind. Here’s a rough breakdown of potential costs:
– Basic landscaping: $3,000 – $15,000
– Outdoor kitchen: $5,000 – $20,000
– Water features: $500 – $5,000
– Professional design services: $2,000 – $7,000
– Patio installation: $2,000 – $10,000
– Lighting: $2,000 – $5,000
Remember, these are estimates and can vary widely based on your location, the size of your yard, and the quality of materials used. Start by prioritizing your must-haves and allocate your budget accordingly.
Seasonal Tips
To keep your yard looking fantastic year-round:
Spring:
– Prune shrubs and trees before new growth starts
– Apply pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weeds
– Start planting annuals and vegetables
Summer:
– Water deeply but less frequently to encourage deep root growth
– Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
– Deadhead flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming
Fall:
– Plant trees, shrubs, and spring-blooming bulbs
– Aerate and overseed the lawn
– Clean up fallen leaves to prevent lawn damage
Winter:
– Protect sensitive plants from frost
– Prune dormant trees and shrubs
– Plan next year’s garden
DIY vs. Professional Help
While many aspects of yard renovation can be DIY projects, some tasks are best left to professionals:
DIY-friendly tasks:
– Planting flowers and small shrubs
– Basic lawn maintenance
– Installing simple water features
– Setting up outdoor furniture
– Adding decorative elements
Tasks for professionals:
– Major landscaping changes
– Installing irrigation systems
– Building retaining walls
– Electrical work for outdoor lighting
– Complex hardscaping projects
Consider your skills, time, and the complexity of the task when deciding whether to DIY or hire a pro.
Eco-Friendly Options
Create an environmentally friendly yard with these tips:
– Use native plants: They require less water and maintenance
– Install a rain barrel: Collect rainwater for irrigation
– Create a compost bin: Reduce waste and improve soil quality
– Use organic fertilizers and pest control methods
– Install solar-powered lighting
– Plant trees for natural cooling and CO2 reduction
– Create habitats for local wildlife with bird feeders and pollinator-friendly plants
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Steer clear of these pitfalls when creating your dream yard:
– Overlooking your climate zone when selecting plants
– Ignoring soil quality and not preparing it properly
– Overplanting or planting too close together
– Neglecting proper drainage
– Choosing high-maintenance plants or features
– Improper scaling of design elements
– Forgetting to plan for growth and changes over time
– Not considering your lifestyle and how you’ll use the space
Tools and Equipment Guide
Essential tools for maintaining your HGTV-worthy yard:
Basic tools:
– Lawn mower
– Pruning shears
– Garden hose with adjustable nozzle
– Rake
– Shovel and spade
– Hand trowel
– Wheelbarrow
Advanced tools:
– Leaf blower
– Edger
– Hedge trimmer
– Pressure washer
– Aerator
– Spreader for fertilizer and seeds
Invest in quality tools that will last. Proper maintenance of your equipment will ensure they remain effective for years to come.
All yards require work, and it’s nice to know that the labor you put into maintaining your landscaping pays off by giving you a lovely place to spend a beautiful day. Now that you have some inspiration, it’s time to get started on picking out plants, colors, and lawn care equipment that turn your dreams into reality.
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