Special Outdoor Projects

There's no reason why a backyard pond can't be updated as often as you update your flower or vegetable gardens. Today's pond-friendly fish, garden accessories and easy-care pond plants give you...

Playing outside is important for the health and well-being of children. Creating inviting and interactive places for kids to play is the best way to get them outside. If you have a large backyard,...

If your backyard consists of a flat lawn and a few trees, you might get rather bored out there. To set your yard apart from your neighbors', build a fishpond. It's pleasant to sit beside on a warm...

If you haven't been to a multimillion-dollar mansion that has an infinity pool and thousands of dollars worth of built-in backyard barbecue equipment in person, you likely have seen such yards...

Directions for creating an inexpensive outdoor fire pit.

This article goes over building a rockery in your backyard. This task is very physical and should be approached carefully. Always use your legs and keep your center of gravity even. It can be...

Many folks cherish the peace, solidtude and privacy their back yards provide. It's the site for their vegetable gardens and it's where their children play in safety. If it's time to spruce up or...

A gazebo makes a lovely addition to a backyard, either as a focal point or as part of a larger landscaping scheme. A gazebo design can be simple or ornate. It can house an open floor space or be...

The variety in outside play areas is vast, but there are key elements that they all have in common: they are designed with fun, exercise and safety in mind. Having a backyard place for your...

A peaceful little pond in the garden landscape is a luxury many think of as too expensive and difficult to install. But there are many cheap and easy ways to create a beautiful backyard pond. With...

There is nothing more relaxing on a cool autumn night than sitting around a fire and eating s'mores. You don't have to go camping to build a fire. With a brick fire pit, you can instantly...

When you design a tiki bar in your backyard, it lends itself to exciting times with friends and family. The southern Pacific theme will turn your backyard into a festive gathering area, and you...

Reminiscent of luxurious gardens, backyard masonry creates stunning focal points and provides a concrete base for designing. For some backyard ideas, consider hiring a professional mason or...

Enjoy cool evenings and warm sunny days in an inviting backyard dining space. Build a fire pit in your yard for a cozy evening. Hang paper lanterns and lights from trees to create a magical space....

Design your backyard steps to fit with the overall décor of your home and your property's landscape. Select natural stones for rustic style steps and stained concrete or slate tiles for a...

Enjoy cool fall nights at home in your backyard by the warmth of a fire made in your own backyard fire pit. A few simple items and a bit of elbow grease will have you roasting marshmallows and...

Take advantage of warm days and cool nights by eating outside in a relaxing backyard dining space. Install a fire bowl for roasting marshmallows with your friends and family. Place Adirondack...

The sandbox reigns supreme in the world of outdoor play items for kids. Options for a backyard sandbox range from recycled materials to customized wooden boxes. The size of the space available and...

A backyard fire pit might conjure up images of lakeside lodges and indulgent summer relaxation. But such enjoyment doesn't have to be out of reach. Though premade fire pits are available for...

Generating a pond for the backyard can be used for more than its simple aesthetic beauty, but also for means to help support small local wildlife. It is important that your pond is a healthy...

A backyard shed is a necessity if you're short on storage space in your home or if you do not have a garage. You can make your own shed from wood, metal, or concrete, or you can purchase ready to...

Building a homemade brick barbecue grill can be completed in an afternoon or longer, depending on the scope of your project. There are many free plans available online to suit both modest and...

Your backyard bar can be a simple wooden structure sitting in the corner of your patio or deck and covered with a post and beam style roof. You can elevate the design elements for any wooden bar...

A homemade fire pit is a fun way to liven up your backyard. All you need is some creativity and a bit of hard labor, and you can create a welcoming spot for family barbecues. So check out these...

A backyard is as much a part of your living space as your kitchen or living room is. In fact, you often have many more square feet of untapped potential in your backyard than you have available in...

Beautifying a backyard space with color and comfort can be easily achieved with a little effort, and the vast array of items designed for outdoor enjoyment guarantees something for everyone's budget.

Backyards traditionally provide a private area to rest and relax after a long day's work or to entertain guests on cool summer evenings. Backyard gardens bring nature to life, creating a peaceful...

Tropical paradise isn't only for the television or travel brochure anymore because you can create the atmosphere in your own backyard. If you are planning to build a pond for your backyard or...

You can design and build your own backyard pond, complete with a waterfall, using forms and materials from your local garden supply store or from online retailers. Create a small water garden with...

Bird baths offer an easy way to introduce calm and peace into your backyard. You can either build one yourself or buy one inexpensively at a local hardware or home repair store. Just follow some...

For a kid, nothing beats having a backyard playground for gathering with friends. Creating this space for your children requires careful consideration of safety, location and attractive but...

Create a soothing waterfall as the centerpiece of your backyard landscaping with river rock, copper pipe or acrylic. Whether you build a slightly elevated waterfall as part of a river bed, a...

Backyard camping has been a favorite of kids for a long time. When the work schedule doesn’t allow it or the budget won’t allow it, join your children for an enjoyable weekend of camping in your...

June 27th is National Great American Backyard Campout, but you can do this any day of the summer. Here are some ideas on how to have a campout in your back yard that will be lots of fun and...

Ponds are a popular addition to backyards, and the details and size are only limited by your imagination and pocketbook. Whether you live in the country or the city, there is a backyard pond that...

Backyard ponds add more character and beauty to a backyard than almost any other garden feature you can imagine. The sound of trickling water and the idyllic setting for a rock and flower garden...

How to transform your backyard into a summer show piece.

Cleaning backyard ponds and waterfalls can be a mucky job but once done, the rewards are many. Not only will you get to spend the day outside in the fresh air and sunshine instead of cooped up at...

A serene pond surrounded by gorgeous flowers and greenery and filled with active waterfowl is a beautiful addition to any backyard. It makes for a tranquil relaxation area and creates a pleasant...

A backyard pond that never gets algae is rare. A little algae is normal and not a bad thing---although it may not look pretty. However, when algae gets out of control it can be a real nuisance....

A backyard pond adds value to your property and increases the pleasure of your yard. Pond plants in a backyard pond add color, and reflections off the water add a creative and relaxing charm....

There's nothing more relaxing on a beautiful summer evening than sitting outside, warming away the chill in front of your own backyard fireplace. Brings some marshmallows and toast a few or pop...

The backyard is an ideal place for you and your dog to play and rest. Backyard landscaping can be beautiful and meet your dogs' needs at the same time. Security and safety are top priorities so...

The beauty of a backyard fish pond adds to the landscape and enhances the serenity that it brings to the soul. Outdoor fish ponds can include those with streams and waterfalls. They are among the...

Traffic noise impacts the quality of life that people experience in their home whether that home is an apartment, a condominium, a duplex, a townhouse or a single-family home. Neighborhoods...

Backyard rock waterfalls add beauty to a garden. The sound and sight of running water creates an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility. A waterfall garden is a place of refuge in a noisy,...

One of the joys of home ownership is the backyard that goes with it. Here you are free to express your true self and create your own magical land full of flowers, waterfalls, painted rocks and...

Water features in backyards are becoming more and more common. If you have a pond in your backyard, you are not alone. Ponds are one of the most popular ways to add serenity and beauty to a...

Kids love to play with sand and water. Not only is it a great way to enjoy the outdoors, that type of tactile play fosters creativity. Creating a backyard sand and water play area for your kids...

An outdoor kitchen is the ultimate summer luxury for families who like to spend a lot of time in the backyard. Whether you love to grill or entertain with elaborate meals and cocktails, your...