You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars or take an entire week off work to make your yard look better. A single weekend is all it takes to give your outdoor space a fresh new look!
If you’re a homeowner here in the St. Louis, St. Peters, or St. Charles areas, your yard has probably survived its fair share of Missouri weather from hot, humid summers to freezing winters, heavy rain, and everything in between. That means a little maintenance can go a long way.
Here are some of our favorite ways to upgrade your yard without turning it into a months-long project.
1. Start With a Good Cleanup
Before buying anything new, start by cleaning up what you already have. Walk around your yard and remove all dead plants, weeds, fallen branches and sticks, leaves, debris, broken pots or decorations, damaged outdoor furniture, and anything that has accumulated around your deck, patio, or fence.
Give your patio or walkway a good sweeping. If you have access to a pressure washer, cleaning dirty concrete, patios, decks, and other outdoor surfaces can make a surprisingly big difference. Don’t forget you can rent pressure washers rather than purchasing one outright, or borrow one from a friend or neighbor. Don’t underestimate the power of simply making your yard look neat and cared for. You may be amazed at what a few hours of cleanup can accomplish!
2. Add Some Fresh Plants or Flowers
One of the easiest ways to make a yard feel more inviting is to add some color. Visit your local garden center and pick up a few flowers, shrubs, or container plants that work well for your space. You don’t need to completely redesign your landscaping. Just a few strategically placed planters can add some personality.
For St. Louis homeowners, pay extra attention to the amount of sunlight each area receives and choose plants that are appropriate for the local growing conditions.
3. Give Your Deck or Patio Some TLC
Your deck or patio is often the centerpiece of an outdoor living space, so don’t overlook it when you’re upgrading your yard. Start by cleaning the area and checking for obvious problems like loose boards, rotting wood, and peeling paint or stain.
(However, if you find significant wood rot, loose structural components, or other safety concerns, don’t try to cover them up with a fresh coat of stain. Those problems should be properly repaired. Give Mister Fix-It a call!)
4. Create a Simple Outdoor Seating Area
You don’t need a fancy outdoor kitchen to make your yard more enjoyable. Create a designated place where people can sit and relax. This can be as simple as a small patio table and a couple chairs, or even just a bench. Add a few outdoor pillows and that unused corner of your yard becomes a place you’ll actually want to spend time.
5. Upgrade Your Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is one of those upgrades that can make your yard feel completely different once the sun goes down. Try adding inexpensive solar lights along a walkway, string lights around a patio, or landscape lighting near your favorite plants.
Good outdoor lighting can make your yard feel warmer and more inviting while also helping illuminate walkways and gathering areas. Just make sure any electrical lighting is installed safely and according to applicable requirements. If you’re not comfortable working with electrical connections, call a professional rather than turning your weekend project into a bigger problem.
6. Give Your Fence Some Attention
Your fence can have a huge impact on how your yard looks, but it’s easy to forget about it! Walk the perimeter of your property and check for loose boards, rotting wood, leaning fence sections, broken gates, loose hardware, or peeling paint or stain. A few small repairs and a fresh coat of paint or stain can make a world of difference.
7. Define Your Outdoor Spaces
Here’s a trick that can make a yard feel much more intentional: give each area a purpose. Instead of having one large space where everything is scattered around, think about how you’d like to use your yard. You might want a small gardening area, a space for dining, a place to read, a spot for a fire pit, and/or an open area for kids or pets.
You don’t necessarily need to build anything! Rearranging your furniture, adding planters, or using outdoor rugs can help visually separate different areas.
8. Freshen Up Your Front Yard
Don’t forget about the front of your house! Your front yard is the first thing guests see. A few small improvements can make a big difference in your home’s curb appeal.
For a quick weekend refresh, trim overgrown plants, pull weeds, add fresh mulch, clean your walkway, clean or repaint your front door, and make sure outdoor lights are working. Clean, tidy, and well-maintained goes a long way.
9. Add One “Wow” Factor
If you have a little extra time or room in your budget, choose one project that makes a noticeable difference. Maybe it’s a new pergola. Maybe it’s a built-in planter. Maybe it’s a fresh coat of stain on the deck, or a new gate or a small seating area. The key is not trying to do everything at once. Choose one feature that makes you excited to spend time outside and build the rest of your yard around it.
Need a Hand With Your Yard Upgrade?
Some weekend projects are easy DIY jobs, others are better left to someone with the right tools and experience. If your outdoor upgrade involves deck repair, fence repair, carpentry, painting, screens, doors, or other home repairs, Mister Fix-It can help.
We’re proud to serve our neighbors throughout St. Charles, St. Peters, and St. Louis communities. Whether you have one small repair or a growing list of projects around the house, we’re here to help you get them checked off your list. Get a free quote today!
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