Instead of spending your weekend sitting in front of the tube again, why not devote one weekend to creating a patio that you will be able to then enjoy for many weekends to come? You don’t need a large back yard to have room for a patio – a mini patio of any size can be just right for giving you and your family a little outside oasis to enjoy and a place to escape from the stresses of the work week. The good news is that creating a patio that looks great can be a snap, and you don’t have to be a DIY expert to get the job done.

Adding a mini patio to your home is good for you and it is good for your pocket book. You will get plenty of enjoyment from your patio, whether you use it as a place to sit out and bask in the glow of the sun in the summer, a quiet place to read away from the hustle and bustle of kids and family or a place to throw impromptu neighborhood barbeques. Along with all of that personal enjoyment, you will also see a nice increase to the property value of your home. A patio adds instant value to your home, and when it comes time to sell, you will be able to sell potential buyers of the benefits of all of the things you used the patio to do when you owned the home.

To add a patio to your home, the first thing you need to do is decide where you want to put it. Of course, the ideal place is directly outside a backdoor to your home, so you can step out of the home and onto the patio. If you don’t have a backdoor, or if it is not practical to put a patio outside of the door, fear not. You can still enjoy your patio even if you have to walk around the house to get to it.

If you are going to place the patio away from the backdoor, consider a few other factors when placing your patio. Do you have a nice, large tree in your backyard that offers tons of shade? Do you have swing set, garden, big flower bed, or water feature in your yard? Place you patio near the other amenities in your yard so you can enjoy them all together. Just be mindful to look for level ground – placing your patio on a slope will make laying the foundation difficult and make the patio less “user friendly”.

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Does your patio or sidewalk need a good dose of color and texture, but you don’t have the time or money for a full-scale garden? If you want to boost your patio and sidewalk appeal, here are a few easy gardening ideas to brighten up your life and home with the beauty of plants.

Containers, Containers, Containers

It used to be that gardening was restricted to flower beds, but container gardening has swiftly become one of the most popular ways to garden. Why has container gardening become one of the preferred gardening methods? Container gardening has become increasingly popular because it is easy, inexpensive and provides optimal results in a short amount of time. In short, you can create an instant garden through the use of garden containers. If you need a patio that lacks color, construct or purchase a container to fill the area. You can choose to plant bright annuals or less showy but longer-lasting perennials that will bloom on an annual basis. Choose a planter that fits in the area. When it comes to choosing flowers and plants in your containers, consider the following important factors: plant size, color display, plant size, sunlight and watering. Make sure that you have easy access to water. You will be much less likely to keep up your container garden if you have to haul water across the yard. Plant close to a water source, and choose a location that receives an adequate amount of sunlight for the types of plants that you are growing.

A Raised Garden Bed Can Spruce Up Your Sidewalk

If you have an uninspired sidewalk, consider sprucing up the area with a raised flowerbed. It is easy to build your own flowerbed, or you can purchase a ready-made bed that you can install along the sidewalk area. You can use your raised flower bed to plant showy seasonal annuals, adding a splash of color to an otherwise bland and dull area.

Choose a Splashy Color for Your Sidewalk Garden

If you are planting along your sidewalk, this is the perfect location to show off your color and garden design skill. For easy maintenance, choose a bright perennial that is suited for the location and your climate. Or experiment with a ‘two tone’ garden by planting two lines of flowers that are designed to coordinate in color formation.

Add a Decorative Border to Your Sidewalk

Another easy way to add life to a lifeless sidewalk area is to add a decorative border. There are many different designs you can choose from. Pay a visit to your local home improvement store or nursery, and you will find that there are now more border designs than ever before. You can choose between brick and plastic borders, making this a viable option no matter what kind of budget you are working with. You can choose among decorative plastic borders that can provide an eye-pleasing design to your sidewalk garden. This simple touch can add a whole new dimension to your garden. Moreover, adding a decorative border can also be quite practical, as they can help restrict the growth of weeds, and keep pests off of your garden bed.

Deck Out Your Patio with Hanging Planters

Here is an easy way to bring new life to your lifeless patio garden. Add a few hanging gardens and you will see how this simple addition can add a whole new dimension to your garden. If you have a patio, hanging planters can be an easy way to experiment with different plant textures and blooms. There are many plant varieties that do well in hanging planters. Make sure that you have a water can with a long spout for easy watering.

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