Don’t you just love those shows where they take something, like a backyard, and make it fabulous in 30 minutes? Well, this backyard makeover took a little longer, like years longer. We have been working on our small backyard makeover for several years, and we are thrilled to finally share the transformation with you. From the fence to the pool to the flower beds, we’ve put our hearts into every aspect of this project. Let’s dive into the details of how we turned our lackluster backyard into a dreamy oasis with these DIY yard and backyard makeover ideas.
By most standards, we have a small backyard, but in Plano, Texas you could probably list it as having expansive views. I call it a small backyard. In fact, most of the yard area is taken up by the pool. We had to make decision about what we wanted for each section or zone of our small yard. Check out all of the DIY yard ideas and projects that went into this small backyard makeover with a pool.
The Fence – Enhancing Visual Appeal and Functionality
In this small backyard, the fence is the largest part. We knew that upgrading the fence would be the first step in our backyard makeover. Not only would it enhance the overall visual appeal, but it would also help address the issue of dirt against the fence’s bottom. We knew we were going to sod the back yard when we were done with all of our backyard projects, so we need to decide whether we were going to build a whole new fence and a retaining wall or try to contain our yard with the existing fence. After careful consideration, we decided to work with the existing fence, making it more durable and attractive. Find out how we achieved this in my blog post Upgrade Your Backyard Wooden Fence: How To Make an Old Fence Look Better.
The Pool – Conquering the Dreaded Renovation
The pool was the thing that we dreaded redoing the most. Apart from the expense of it all, I was unsure of the finishes I wanted. I discussed what lead me to my decisions in Swimming Pool Renovation Tips. We knew that there was no point in going ahead with anything we wanted to do with the yard or the flower beds before we worked on the pool. We were told that the yard would likely be destroyed in the pool renovation process and that was definitely correct. Pieces of rocks were scattered everywhere. Not that it mattered since we were just working with a dirt yard at the time, but if we had grass at that point, it would have been killed.
The Yard – Embracing the Beauty of Lush Green Grass
Once the pool renovation was complete, we could finally install grass in our small backyard. It was an exciting moment since we hadn’t seen grass there for years. After previous failed attempts with other types of grass, Zoysia proved to be the perfect choice, thriving even in the shade. We had tried St. Augustine more than once and each year it died and never grew back. Our Zoysia has survived several Texas hot hot summers and the worst winter we have ever had. We love our grass!
The Hammocks – Creating a Relaxing Retreat
With the grass in place, we took the opportunity to install sturdy hammock posts. This simple yet delightful addition allowed us to enjoy the outdoors in a new, comfortable way. Check out our DIY Hammock Posts to see how easy it was to create a tranquil retreat in our backyard.
The Fire Pit Area on The Pool Deck
Living in the city, we couldn’t have a traditional wood-burning fire pit, but that didn’t stop us from creating a cozy fire pit area. Paired with Adirondack chairs, this space quickly became our favorite gathering spot. Discover our city slicker fire pit and Adirondack chair setup in Create a Simple and Stylish Area on Your Pool Deck.
The Flower Beds – From Struggle to Success
Maintaining flower beds in our backyard had been challenging, with scorching sun causing constant plant casualties. However, we found a simple design that not only complemented the new pool finishes but also allowed our plants to thrive. Learn more about our Easy Flower Bed Ideas that have proven to be a success.
DIY Yard Ideas – The Planter In a Small Backyard Makeover
Can a planter really be part of a backyard makeover? Absolutely! This planter can especially. You see, my very first blog post was about this planter. See Great Idea For Large Planters and find out what I put in my planter way back in 2017! It was only right that after everything else in the backyard got a makeover, that my planter should also get a makeover to go with the new color scheme. So, check out Large Planter Updated to see what went in to this makeover. If you like these planter posts, you should also check out Discovering Hidden Gems: Transforming Junk into Garden Art.
Small Backyard Makeover Lighting – Adding The Perfect Glow
Finally, we added to our existing outdoor string lights we had in the backyard. Honestly, I thought we had enough and the lighting was complete, but my husband had other plans. He added one final row of lights over the pool. Check out what he used for the easy DIY in Hanging Outdoor Lights The Easy Way.
Adding The Perfect Outdoor Seating Area
The latest addition to the backyard area is the perfect seating area on the pool deck by the house. We had been wanting an outdoor couch and chairs for some time. When I found this set at such a great price, I went for it. See the details of this outdoor seating area in Best Outdoor Furniture For Your Backyard Oasis | Patio Set-up Ideas.
If you loved this backyard and DIY yard ideas, check out more backyard DIYs from the DIY Mommy here. When you are ready to head inside, check out my DIY home improvement projects, my DIY home decor ideas, and all things Christmas.
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