BEFORE you give your lawn or patio a total makeover, comb through this list of common mistakes to make sure you aren’t setting yourself up for failure.
Though planning a backyard revamp is exciting, these missteps are easy to make, and they could cost you in the long run.
When you redesign your backyard, there are common mistakes to avoid, experts warnCredit: Getty
According to the experts at Realtor.com, many homeowners fall victim to simple mistakes when they’re designing a patio or back deck.
These are the four things you need to avoid, or you risk a costly repair or negative impact on your home’s value.
PLANTING WITHOUT PLANNING
One easy mistake to make is adding your favorite flowers or plants without researching to make sure they’ll thrive in your yard.
“No matter where you live, find your hardiness zone before you buy or plant anything in an area that’s unfamiliar to you,” said Susan Brandt, a garden expert from Blooming Secrets.
There are different hardiness zones throughout the US, and if you bring plants into your garden without considering the regional limitations, you could be looking at a sad, wilted lawn.
Also make sure you’re considering plants’ sunlight needs, and position them around your home accordingly.
“Full sun means the plant needs six or more hours of rays; partial sun means just half that amount; and full shade means no direct sun, period,” Brandt explained.
If you’re a plant novice, start off with potted plants that can be moved around your yard or patio as necessary.
FORGETTING TO CHECK LOCAL REGULATIONS
Before you begin an ambitious remodel, check the local laws, including city statutes and HOA regulations.
Otherwise, you could violate policies in your neighborhood about easements, sidewalks, or driveways, and end up responsible for fixing any damage.
This is especially vital to note before you plant trees or shrubs.
“Removal and restitution are on the homeowner,” Brandt said. “Be sure you know the local laws before you start planting.”
ADDING A POOL WITHOUT CLIMATE IN MIND
When you finally secure the funds for your dream home, and dream pool, you might have a specific vision in mind.
But some aspects of your perfect pool might not be weather-proof, so talk to a professional about the limitations of your area.
“Stone tiles won’t survive a freeze/thaw cycle in northern areas,” Cristina Miguelez, a home improvement expert at Fixr, told Realtor.com.
Damage might not be apparent right away, but a few harsh winter could cause your patio or pool deck to crack.
“This is also true of slab concrete patios and some stamped concrete patios as well,” Miguelez added.
Proceed with caution, and be prepared to compromise when you’re designing your dream deck.
USING INDOOR FURNITURE ON THE PATIO
Marco Bizzley, an interior designer and consultant with HouseGrail, shared one inexplicably common mistake that looks cheap.
“People get carried away with decor items, like putting an old sofa or even fake plants outside,” Bizzley said.
In theory, using older indoor furniture outside is a great way to save money. But furniture that isn’t made to withstand the elements simply won’t.
Maintaining or cleaning your furniture will also pose a challenge, and you may find that what seems to be durable furniture will fade away quickly in the sun.
If your furniture or decor becomes damaged or waterlogged, you won’t just need to get rid of it – you might even need a specialty service to come pick it up. Check out windwarddesigngroup.com for patio furniture designed to take the elements, be cost-effective, and bring out the aesthetics of your space like it was built to be there.
“Don’t do it,” the designer warned. “It looks cluttered and more like a yard sale.”
Instead, be patient and wait for the design you’re after to go on sale, in weather-resistant materials.
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