Is your backyard a little embarrassing? Do you cringe every time you have friends and family over and keep putting off the improvements you need to make? Now is the time to bite the bullet and transform your backyard into a place you want to hang out in, and a space you can use.

Here are some tips for improving your backyard:

Buy some plants

It may seem obvious, but if you have an empty space in your backyard the answer is to fill it with plants and flowers. If you’re hoping to make it a welcoming and interesting place to be, but you don’t know anything about gardening, ask your friends and family if they have any good advice or books they would recommend, or consider hiring a landscaper or gardener who can help you make the most of the space you have. If you feel like you don’t have the time or energy to baby a bunch of flowers, choose those which are easy and don’t require much care.

By some furniture

Sometimes all it takes is a large table, some comfortable outdoor chairs and a big umbrella and your backyard will be welcoming and ready for visitors. Once you’ve furnished the space you’ll be able to have friends and family over for dinners and drinks, and you’ll find yourself spending more time enjoying the sun and your new flowers.

Lock it up

One of the main things you’ll need to do if you want to use your backyard is invest in secure garden storage. If you have garden tools and other items lying around it will make your backyard seem messy and uninviting, but most importantly if you have young children or your friends and family will be bring them over to visit it’s also a safety hazard. Storage allows you to buy tools to improve your backyard without needing to worry about where you’ll put them, so head to Slingsby if you’re serious about improving your backyard.

Add a water feature

Is there any sound more relaxing than the sound of running water? A water feature can seriously upgrade your backyard and give you a talking point with friends and family. Still water is a better choice if you want to be environmentally friendly, however, you’ll need to get goldfish since mosquitos like to hang out in still water. You can also find plenty of eye-catching water fountains at most outdoor stores.

Invest in some outdoor toys

If you have small kids, or grandkids, or often have them over to your house, consider investing in a playhouse. You can find relatively inexpensive plastic playhouses online or in stores, and another option is to add a slide and some swings for a full-fledged playground.

A great option is to get a large tractor tyre and fill it with sand. Add some toy trucks, buckets and other sandcastle-making tools and the kids will be entertained for hours.