Landscaping & Outdoor Building

Ponds are a nice addition to a landscaped backyard. They can be large or small, but certain safety precautions and local laws must be followed when installing any sized pond. It is much easier to...

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...

Installing an above-ground pool can give your family all the fun and exercise of an in-ground pool for a fraction of the cost. And with the right design, an above-ground pool can be just as...

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...

Whether you live in the tropics or just want a mental escape each time you step into your backyard, a tropical landscape creates a distinct outdoor living space. The planning of the tropical...

Directions for creating an inexpensive outdoor fire pit.

Your most important task in paving a stone backyard is planning. When you decide on your project, consider limitations and opportunities in your backyard space ahead of time. Draw out your design,...

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...

Decorating a backyard fence can be a way to spice up your back yard or be just the finishing touch for an outdoor room. The décor can be as simple terra cotta pieces or as elaborate as wall...

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...

If heat has gotten to you, you may consider the option of paying for a pool to be installed in your backyard. Although the thought of a pool makes you daydream of pool parties, and cooling off in...

Erosion is defined as the wearing away of topsoil due to water or wind. Large rain drops or heavy wind during storms can cause the soil to wash away. The topsoil enters and pollutes streams,...

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...

A swimming pool in the backyard can create a virtual oasis in a world full of stress. After that swimming pool is in place, you will be able to vacation in your own backyard, but how you landscape...

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...

Backyards should be a private oasis or a little miniature park. Most backyards consist of an open space with grass. Other backyards are filled with a riot of trees, brush and blackberry bushes....

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...

A large backyard provides many opportunities for landscaping. Some of the options include building a dry river bed, a swimming pool or an outdoor living area. Follow the natural contours of your...

Backyard privacy is becoming more important to homeowners as living spaces and communities become more crowded. Your patio and garden are part of your home's living space, but the peace and...

A nicely tended and thought-out backyard can not only add value to your home, it can become an extension of your home where you, your family and friends can relax and have fun. It doesn't have to...

Hot tubs, or spas, are a nice addition to any backyard. They are not only relaxing, they can help relieve aches, pains and even stress. They are also fun, especially if you like to entertain...

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...

Whether you have acres of open land or a small apartment balcony, your backyard is your own little piece of land. Make the most of this outdoor space by turning it into a relaxing oasis where you...

A renovation can transform a boring backyard transforms into an appealing oasis of relaxation and entertainment. Backyard renovations vary in difficulty level and monetary involvement, from simple...

Warmth and charm characterize the country theme for backyards. Individual elements of the backyard design work together to create a lush, relaxing retreat. Whether the home is located in the...

A great way to create a stately and refined look to a landscape is to add a wrought iron fence. Whether is it is ornamental, functional or a combination of both, a wrought iron fence can make a...

Wouldn’t it be nice to have more fun and live in more comfort without having to keep shelling out money every time you enjoy yourself? Well, you can actually do that in your back yard. And the...

If you are someone who would love to enjoy the benefits of a backyard pool, but cannot afford the expense of building an in ground pool, an above ground pool could be the perfect solution. With...

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...

The backyard pool has come a long way from the days of the kidney-shaped pool of water with tacky blue-and-green tiles, a white plaster bottom and a drab concrete "skirt." Today's trend in pool...

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...

One of the most enjoyable items you can buy for your home is a hot tub. Many people relax after a hard day of work by allowing the pulsating jets of hot water to soothe their aching bodies. You...

Trees provide clean air, value to your landscaping and a natural home for birds. Correctly matching the right trees to the types of birds in your region is crucial to ensuring a proper habitat...

Homeowners search for the perfect home in the perfect neighborhood with a great backyard for barbeques and family fun. A home that is already prebuilt may not have a private backyard, which is...

Small backyards limit the choices for landscaping, but they can still produce a usable outdoor space. Dividing the yard into functional areas ensures the homeowner's needs are met. A flowing...

Transforming a plain backyard into a tropical paradise creates a relaxing oasis for entertaining or relaxing any day of the week. This backyard retreat encompasses the decorative elements of a...

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...

If no preparation has taken place, an above-ground pool can make the backyard look like an area where a huge, circular contraption was simply dropped. This is not an inviting look. To create a...