When you move into a home after living in an apartment, one of the most exciting differences is that the space is yours. Instead of having to follow limitations about how much you can improve the property, (although this could still be true if you are part of a homeowner’s association), you have almost total freedom to flex your creativity and make the space your own.

One way that you can take advantage of this fact is by turning your yard into a personal paradise. The yard around your house represents a blank canvas for your imagination to shine. You can focus your efforts on making it the perfect place to relax for you and your family, or you can design a dream hosting space for guests to enjoy.

But with so many possibilities for how you can upgrade your yard, how can you ever decide what projects to tackle? How can you narrow down the limitless possibilities into a few great ideas that will make you proud of your new yard? Check out these suggestions for how to update your exterior space to create an outdoor paradise for you, your family, and your guests.

Start with the Deck

The deck acts as an extension of your home into the yard. It is still attached to the house, making it a separate element, but it is open to the outside elements. A deck is a great place to spend an evening on your own, with your family, or with others. Who doesn’t love to grill up a delicious dinner and sit outside enjoying the sun, all while sitting on a beautiful deck? If you already have one, you can upgrade it with a fresh finish, a wooden pergola to make it feel more intimate, and perhaps some lattice work with climbing plants to add some life to the space. If you do not have one already, professional deck builders can help you level up the experience of your yard.

Furnish the Outdoor Living Spaces

A deck or patio can be great additions to your yard and have it well on its way to becoming a paradise. But you also need a place for people to sit and relax to turn it into a truly comfortable setting. How you furnish the outdoor living spaces is very important. You could elect to go with some modern outdoor furniture choices or stick to a more natural atmosphere with ornately designed wooden seating. Either way, an outdoor space is only as relaxing as the furniture that you have in it. If you want the space to be somewhere that your family and guests love to congregate, then be intentional with the way you furnish the area.

Design/Maintain a Garden

A garden is a beautiful element for any yard, adding life, color, and vibrancy to the exterior of the home. There are so many creative choices you can make with your garden. Various themes that you can select include Japanese zen, nautical, English cottage, fairy, contemporary, or desert. You can incorporate cute pathways through and around the garden to encourage people to check it out, and even a small bench can create a very comfortable atmosphere. One of the biggest factors to consider before you create a garden is maintenance. Maintaining your garden can take a lot of work. You have to make sure that every plant gets the amount of water that it needs, that weeds are kept under control, and that the soil remains healthy enough to foster growth. If you can keep up with it, then a garden will certainly turn your yard into a paradise.

Invest in Lawn Care

Most of the world does not care about lawns in the way that Americans do. It is often associated with the American dream, almost a status symbol, and maintaining a lawn shows that you have the time to do so and presents a positive image of your home to passersby. However you feel about that reality, great lawn care certainly contributes to the paradise atmosphere you are searching for. Maybe this means investing in some grass seed to fill in those empty patches or laying down some fertilizing elements and weed killer to foster better growth. This lawn care will not only create a better environment for your family but a visually appealing one as well.

A Yard Says a Lot About You

The condition of your yard will be noticed by those who walk or drive by, and this truth is unavoidable. Whether you want to create a space that is aesthetically pleasing to others or more enjoyable for you, making the right upgrades can completely change the experience that people have in your yard. Freshen up the deck, invest in outdoor furniture, create a beautiful garden, and take care of the lawn to turn your home’s exterior into a paradise that can be an escape for you, your family, and your guests.