It may not feel like it, but spring is right around the corner. Now is a great time to get your yard ready for summer BBQ’s and late-night s’mores! If you have been thinking about doing some renovating on your home, improving your backyard will bring you a great return on your investment. Not only will you increase the value of your home, but you will increase the memories with your family and friends as well.

Install a Pool

A pool is the best way to cool off, have fun, and relax in the summer. If you start soon, it will be ready by the first heat wave of the year. Installing an in-ground pool can take anywhere from 2-8 weeks, depending on the type of pool you are having installed. Having your own pool means that there is always something for the kids to do on those long summer days, without having to drag all the gear and all the kids into the car just to drive across town, walk across a large parking lot, and stand in a long line to get into a crowded public pool!

Add a Kitchen

Outdoor kitchens are becoming more and more popular. This is because people are catching on to the fact that cooking and eating outside is way more fun! You can entertain without risking your white velvet couch or freshly cleaned carpets. And cleanup is a breeze! Anything that gets your family outside more is a good thing. It usually means that no one has their nose stuck in their phone and your family members are actually interacting—in a good way! Just don’t forget to protect your investment. Your outdoor kitchen should be covered to protect it from the elements when not in use.

Increase Your Lighting

With your pool and kitchen in place, the last element you need to make your backyard feel like a 5-star resort is ambient lighting. Increasing your lighting will make it so that your friends and family never want to go inside. Choose lighting at a variety of heights, such as festive string lights around the patio, spotlights to create focal points on your favorite spots, garden lights to dot the yard, and table lights for the gathering areas. To be more energy efficient, choose solar-powered LED lights where possible.

If you have always wanted a backyard oasis, start now. Planning things now will let you enjoy your yard early this summer. In a few months, when you are outside relaxing next to the pool with a cool glass of lemonade in hand, you will be so glad you did.

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