A home with a lawn provides additional areas for enjoyment and recreation. Kids especially love playing outdoors in all kinds of weather. However, you may want to take a few precautions to keep your yard safe and fun for the little ones as well as appealing and relaxing for adults. The following tips may help.
Fencing
Add a sturdy fence around the perimeter of your lawn to keep strangers and wildlife out while keeping your little ones secure. An ornamental iron fence, for example from F & W Fence Company, Inc. will add classic charm to your property, while a white vinyl picket fence or an unfinished wooden style conveys a conventional or rustic look. You might want to add an accent fence rather than surround the entire property. Any type of fence can be adorned with vines, flower baskets, or other yard décor to add color and style.
Photo by Woodburn & Company Landscape Architecture, LLC
Remove Junk
Any broken equipment or rusty tools should be put away so that kids can’t fall on them and get hurt. Car parts, old toys, and house debris like fallen roof shingles can also be removed. Tree limbs lying in the yard can be put in the trash to prevent a tripping hazard.
Photo by Giulietti Schouten Architects
Separate Unusable Areas
Work areas for the car, gardening, or furniture repair should be separated from the rest of the lawn. This might be a good spot for some fencing or border shrubs. Building materials and tools can be moved into the garage or a shed, or possibly they can be stored in the basement if there is room. Train the dog to do its business away from the areas where kids play or guests are entertained.
Add Decorative Borders
Hedges, trees, or flower beds can provide decorative borders along the driveway or at the edge of your property. Herbal gardens are another way to provide attractive and interesting focal points while implicitly surrounding your yard. Use plants that naturally repel insects and pests. A bird bath or birdhouse offers nature study for children and guests who may be interested and can be placed at the intersection of adjoining properties as a point of demarcation.
Lighting
Ground lights leading from the house to the driveway can help to guide guests to their vehicles after dark. Porch and patio lighting is great for entertaining, and some types may deter rather than attract mosquitos and other insects. A motion sensor light keeps wildlife from roaming your yard at night.
These additions require minimal cost and effort to improve safety and usability of your lawn. Consider enhancements like these to make your property even safer and more welcoming.
Author Bio
Lizzie Weakley is a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. In her free time, she enjoys the outdoors and walks in the park with her three-year-old husky, Snowball.