Remember the story of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz? After her long journey away from the comfort of her home to Oz she found out that the best things were already right in her own backyard, that "there's no place like home". Are you aware that the best things are in your backyard already? You may not see them clearly right now, but with a little bit of work on your part you can make your backyard an oasis in which to relax and entertain friends and family.



What does your backyard need? Does it already have a deck and or a patio that just needs a bit of a facelift? If so, you're lucky. A good cleaning and staining/water sealing of your deck can work wonders for it's appearance, and routine water sealing will prolong the life of your deck. Perhaps you would use your backyard more if you had a place to entertain. If you don't have a deck or a patio perhaps it's time to consider having one built.

Perhaps you already have a deck or patio, but rarely use them. Why not? Are they not comfortably furnished? If that's the problem, it's easily solved. There are hundreds of different types of patio furniture sets to choose from and there will be one to fit your budget. If you need a patio set that is lightweight but you still want the look of something heavier like wrought iron look for a cast aluminum patio set. They look like wrought iron by are extremely durable and lightweight A lot of homeowners find that their decks are just too hot to enjoy with the sun beating down on them. You could build a simple patio cover such as a pergola or install an awning. Both would give you shade and it would make your deck a useable and comfortable space.

Perhaps you don't have enough privacy in your backyard. No one wants to think that every neighbor can see his or her every move. It's time to think about having a privacy fence put around your property which will shield you from prying eyes. If you already have a fence, but have a deck high off the back of your house you could think about other types of screening for your deck. Try using climbing vines and flowers on trellises. Use lattice work to build screens.

Maybe it's your own landscaping you're hiding from if you don't use your deck or patio. It doesn't take much to update your backyard landscaping. It can be done with the use of simple container gardening or putting in a water feature such as a backyard pond. Using perennial flowers in a flower bed is a great way to have color year after year in your garden. Putting annual flowers in pots around a deck or patio adds beauty and color. Perhaps you have a spot for a small outdoor pond. They can easily be planned and put in by a DIY type in one or two weekends, depending on the size.

Using an small old charcoal grill or an old gas grill? Think about replacing them. There are lots of quality gas grills at very reasonable prices. Also try to make your outdoor cooking area within a comfortable and convenient walk from your kitchen. If you have your kitchen upstairs in your home and you cook on a patio downstairs someone has to carry the food up and down the stairs and you're running up and down the stairs to watch the food. It can quickly become a hassle. When you are planning your backyard entertaining space keep this in mind. If you're having to carry trays of food long distances it may keep you from doing it.

Another simple but effective addition to your backyard can be the use of solar lighting or low voltage lighting. These lights not only add ambience of your backyard but also a measure of security by lighting walkways and paths. They come in a wide array of styles and are simple to place through your yard.

Small additions that are thoughtful can add to the comfort of your backyard. Fire pits make decks and patios cozy on cool spring and summer evenings. Everyone loves seeing wild birds in their backyard. It's easy to invite them in. Simply putting in a bird bath, which is kept filled every day with fresh cool water will attract birds. Birds and other small creatures will also be drawn to a backyard pond and waterfall.