​Invest in Wheel and Tire Packages and Good Landscaping

Your backyard is certainly one of the most versatile and useful parts of you home, even if you aren't aware of it yet. Really, when considering what can be done with your backyard, the possibilities are endless.

You have a love-hate relationship with your yard (you love barbecuing in the back yard but hate mowing the lawn), but have never considered the full potential. Think about how cool it would be if your backyard had a fountain, gardening shed or even a playhouse for the girls.

Don’t fret, not all landscaping ideas are geared towards the fairer sex. Your landscaping plans could include a hot tub, koi pond with real fish and a built in smoker/ grill combo.

Consider this: You spend money on all sorts of things to make the items you own look good. For example, you paid good money for the stainless steel appliances in the kitchen because they looked real cool. You also bought a wheel and tire package that gave your truck a whole new look. So what is wrong with putting forth the money and effort to landscape your yard?

You already have a couple of things going for you; you own a truck and you are pretty handy with a number of power tools. This means you can haul your own landscaping materials from the store to your home and installing many of these items should be rather easy.

So suck it up, have a conversation with the spouse and start your landscaping project this weekend. Here are a few ideas to whet your appetite.

Flowers

Flowers always seem to make any backyard more appealing. You can buy some decorative pots, fill them with beautiful flowers and place them on your patio or various spots around the yard or you could opt to dig out a few spots to plant small flower gardens.

You could even erect a little white picket fence and line it with flowers. Your spouse will love it.

Rambling Vines

Another way you can spruce up your backyard is by planting some lovely rambling vines. There is nothing quite as romantic or stately than deep tendrils winding around columns or fences, especially when you choose a vine species that blooms pretty flowers.

Baskets and Planters

The inside of your home isn't one-dimensional, so there is no reason your landscaping should be one-dimensional either. Add layers to your backyard with eye-catching elevated planters and hanging baskets.

This brilliant strategy creates a visual effect that gives the impression of waves of flowers rising and falling across parts of your yard.

Shrubbery

If you ask anyone with a well-landscaped yard the easiest way to transform the look of a yard they will say "shrubbery. "

Blossoming shrubs make an incredible impact all across a yard and can add color in just one easy step. So find some showy shrubs to shine in your backyard.

Landscaping Stones

There are many types of landscaping stones in many different sizes and colors that you can utilize to make your backyard look awesome. Landscaping stones are not only aesthetically pleasing, they are utilitarian as well. A stone path through your garden looks great and keeps your shoes from getting muddy.

Outdoor Kitchen

When it comes to cooking outdoors, you will want all of the right equipment so you can create the best tasting foods.

There is no need to rush back and forth between the kitchen and the patio when you have everything you need outside. But an outdoor kitchen is more than just a grill and a few burners, you will need a food-prep surface, good lighting and even a sink. A pizza oven would be nice as well.

Sitting Area

Create a quiet spot in your backyard by carving out a little space with paving stones or gravel and surround it with flowers or greenery. Now add a table and a couple of chairs and you have a lovely, intimate place where you and the wife can sit and sip iced beverages on hot days or hot tea on cool evenings while discussing the day’s events.

Gnome Things Up

Find some cool decorative pieces like painted gnomes or pink flamingos to spice up your backyard. This is an inexpensive, easy and fun way to add color and flare to your backyard.