It's no secret that more and more of us are spending time in our own backyards. With the price of gasoline and travel money is getting tighter and tighter. Happily homeowners are finding out that with a bit of sweat equity, planning and imagination they can make their backyards places that they enjoy spending time in. You may also find that you actually enjoy spending more time around the home if you update your landscaping.

Every neighborhood has a home store like Lowe's or Home Depot or a wonderful garden center where you can get supplies and advice on how to landscape. And don't every think it's a waste of money. Any money spent on your home always comes back to you in the end. If you do a bit of planning before hand you can make sure that you spend wisely. So, making your backyard your oasis away from the world has dual purpose! You make a splendid place where you can entertain family and friends and add to the value of your home at the same time, a win-win situation!

A simple cleaning and application of a stain or water sealer can works wonders on your deck. The addition of a pergola over an existing patio can give it new life. Most homeowners don't use their decks because they're unfortunately in the hot blazing sun all day. This problem can be easily remedied by putting up an awning. You can put up a manual or motorized awning in a fade resistant Sunbrella fabric that enhances your home. Several awning manufacturers are Durasol, Sunair and Sunsetter. An awning added over your deck will make is usable even in rain. A simply built pergola over your patio can provide much needed shade.

Patio furniture manufacturers are keeping up with this trend of outdoor rooms and they offer furniture in dozens of different designs styles. If you have a patio that is a walk out from the indoors you can use matching fabrics to tie both inside and outside together. You can choose wrought iron patio furniture from manufacturers like Meadowcraft and O.W. Lee who are known for quality furniture in both classic and contemporary styles. For those who want the look of wrought iron patio furniture but who don't want to have to deal with the weight, the answer is cast aluminum patio furniture. Manufacturers Hanamint, Mallin and Tropitone offer cast aluminum patio sets in a wide array of styles and finishes.

Time to show off your cooking skills. How about an outdoor kitchen? From a simple set up with a counter, sink and lower cabinets to full fledged kitchen, they're the newest thing in outdoor landscaping. Consider it an extension of your indoor kitchen. Use the same types of colors and style to bring them together and create a cohesive look. Gourmet has also gone out of door with gas grills. You can find a wide range of add-on's such as side burners and rotisseries and refrigerators on grills from makers like Ducane, Broilmaster, Vermont Castings, Char-Broil, Weber and Fiesta.

How does your lawn look? If you've updated your deck or patio, your outdoor patio furniture and your grill and outdoor cooking area what type of view will your guests have when they sit down to eat? It's very simple today to have a green lawn. Companies like Scott's and Green Light, Espoma and Schultz have taken the guess work out of lawncare. With a few simple applications to your lawn you can have it thick, lush and weed free.

What about trees, shrubs and flowers around your backyard? If you don't have lots of space, or the inclination to take care of a flower garden try container gardening. Container gardens are easy care and nothing looks more lovely than lush colorful flowers spilling over flower pots. Use annuals in your container garden for color all season long. Just remember a simple rule of gardening, make sure that you can give any tree, shrub or flower you use in your landscaping proper lighting conditions. If you don't have full sun, don't plant something that requires full sun, the same goes for shade. Your plant will not thrive and you'll be disappointed.

Now you'll need a place to store your patio furniture and lawn care equipment safely away. You'll be surprised if you haven't looked at garden storage sheds before how many different styles and sizes there are. They're very easy to put up as they come in kits. You can find the perfect size for your storage needs and even choose custom colors to coordinate with your home.