As temperatures begin to moderate, thoughts inevitably turn to the outdoors and the many days and nights of enjoyment spent in the backyard that are looming on the horizon. If your backyard space leaves something to be desired, or you have been dreaming all winter long of an outdoor oasis or quiet retreat to call your very own, now is the perfect time to start planning your hardscape and landscape design to turn your dreams into reality.

There are so many options available to improve the beauty and functionality of an outdoor residential space.  If you don’t already have one, patios are the perfect way to turn your yard into usable, functional space while still imparting beauty into your backyard.  This backyard staple can be designed in virtually any shape or size and can be made from a wide variety of materials, including pavers, brick, natural stone and more.  These materials make your overall landscaping more interesting and usable, but due to the inherent nature of the materials, such as strength and durability, they will hold up well over many years of warm summers and cold winters in New Jersey and New York.

Some homeowners prefer decks to patios, and which one you choose is a personal preference.  Decks are typically situated higher off the ground so they work well with homes that are on higher elevations from the surrounding backyard space.  They also blend in naturally with surrounding landscaping due to the fact that they are built from wood or wood look-alike products.  The primary drawback to this option, however, is that if a deck is built with natural wood, it requires continual upkeep in the form of staining or painting and sealing.

If you really want to add a “wow” factor to your backyard design, you may want to also incorporate other elements of interest into your outdoor space.  These elements can be purely aesthetic in nature or they can have a functional component as well.  For example, if you like the soothing sounds of trickling water nearby, you may want to have a garden pond or outdoor fountain installed.  If, on the other hand, you prefer the flickering flames of a fire during cool spring, summer or fall evenings, fireplaces and firepits may be more to your liking.  Each of these options can provide an area for relaxation, while also serving as a focal point when you entertain guests.

Speaking of entertaining, if you like to have family or friends over for get-togethers that include food and beverages (and who doesn’t?), you may want to work an outdoor kitchen or bar into your backyard design plans.  Options when building a kitchen outside can range from the simple to the elaborate and can incorporate virtually any element you enjoy inside to make food preparation and consumption a more convenient and enjoyable experience.

The sky is virtually the limit when it comes to designing an outdoor space that you can enjoy for years to come.  Now is a great time to get started on your plans so you can sit back and enjoy when spring and summer really kick into full gear.

If you are ready to start planning your perfect backyard retreat in New Jersey or Staten Island, contact Millenium Stoneworks at 732-519-1112 or 347-723-6990.