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5 Ways to Improve a Pergola
A pergola provides shade and enhances the look of almost any outdoor space. It’s great for entertaining and relaxing. What’s more, there are many styles from which to choose, so there’s something for practically every backyard. If you have a pergola or plan on installing one on your property, you can opt for the minimal look and function or dress it up with some improvements. For those who prefer the latter alternative, there are five wonderful ways to improve a pergola.
Pergola Alternatives
Homeowners who are considering a pergola might also be interested in something else. For instance, a new deck or patio, or even a combination of two of the three features. Of course, a new deck cost estimate and considerations will be in order, just as with a new pergola or a patio addition. Either a deck, made of wood or composite is a great feature to have because it typically helps to boost a home’s resale value. A patio will do much the same, as will a pergola.
A pergola is the perfect way to add character to an exterior space while serving a functional purpose. Sizes can vary, from a simple pergola that accents a growing garden to a larger scale one that covers a seating area to create a true outdoor room. Pergolas also come in many different styles and colors, so you can design one that enhances your home’s architectural style and landscaping. —HGTV
Another option is to install a swimming pool, which will be accompanied by a deck or patio. Whatever you decide, you should know about all the unexpected landscape, outdoor living improvement costs you’ll experience. This way, you won’t under budget or miscalculate and incur surprise expenses when you take on a landscaping or outdoor living home improvement project. Also, be honest about your own DIY skill set. If you aren’t confident you can do it on your own, hire an experienced professional. This will save you a lot of time, effort, and money.
5 Ways to Improve a Pergola
Installing a pergola or improving an existing pergola is a terrific way to enhance your outdoor living space, providing a focal point and useable entertainment feature. Many homeowners opt to “dress up” their pergolas so they get even more enjoyment out of the feature. Here are five ways to improve a pergola you can incorporate into your own outdoor living space:
- Outdoor furniture. Although this makes the all-too-obvious list, it’s definitely worth including. The addition of comfortable, outdoor furniture transforms a pergola into a true living space. You can place outdoor furniture in a floating arrangement, providing improved traffic flow, better visual appeal, and more leg room, for you, family, and guests.
- A new barbecue grill. Also making the same all-too-obvious list is a new barbecue grill. That’s just right for cooking out and if you are so inclined, you can go all-out. Consider upgrading from just a grill to a complete outdoor kitchen, complete with some preparation space, a refrigerator, utensils, and dinnerware. If you do place a grill under or near your pergola, be sure to take fire safety into consideration. Additionally, make sure to place the grill where it won’t cause a smoke problem for family and guests.
- Hang privacy curtains. Another great addition to a pergola is privacy curtains. These not only keep prying eyes away but also are great for reducing sun exposure during the summer or any other season of the year in west-central Florida.
- Install a multi-use fire pit. If a grill isn’t your fancy or you want something else for lighter cooking, install a multi-use fire pit. These are great for cool evenings and also serve as a table and gathering feature for family and guests. These can be used for light meals and a place for plates, as well as drinks.
- Install cooling fans and misters. Here in sunny Sarasota, there’s many hot and warm days and nights. It can be downright uncomfortable during the summer months but you can provide some pleasant relief by installing cooling fans and misters. These create a cool, comfortable space, almost regardless of the weather.
If it’s time to update your landscape or add more features, like a new pergola, just go ahead and contact us. We are a full-service, professional landscape design company and serve all of Sarasota, including near Bayfront Drive, around Rolling Green Golf Club, along Longboat Club Road, and elsewhere.
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Landscaping Tips Specifically For Florida Home Owners
Landscaping in Florida is different from just about anywhere else in the country, especially down here in Sarasota and the rest of the southern part of the state. Along with all the colorful, exotic plants we get to incorporate into a backyard design, the tropical climate and endless amount of sunshine also means doing things a little bit differently when it comes to basic backyard maintenance.
Generally speaking, what mostly defines the climate here in Florida is the heat. Freezing temperatures are rare and the soil is often swampy, sandy, and not terribly ideal for growing certain plants that might be common in backyards in other places around the country. In addition, our coastal location along the Gulf can also bring about salt spray and different variations in wind pressure, which undoubtedly poses additional challenges to anybody who lives close to the water. But with landscaping playing such a big role in the curb appeal of your home, finding new and affordable ways to overcome all the obstacles Florida’s tropical weather presents is essential to making sure your yard stays in tip-top shape.
If you’re looking for ways to add flair to your Florida home, try following these basic landscaping principles, which in many ways, are unique to where we happen to live:
Limit fertilizer use
With all the tropical storms we get in South Florida, rain water can often wash away any fertilizer you add to a yard, consequently pushing it into nearby bays, rivers, inlets, and lagoons. The result can also be harmful to those of us who love spending time in or out on the water, so reducing fertilizer use is a huge deal to those of us who call Florida home. In fact, Tampa and much of the surrounding area has even enacted strict regulations that directly relate to fertilizer management, so it’s best to leave it to the pros if you’re looking to fertilize your yard.
Use sun-friendly plants
If you’re looking to add more plant life around your Sarasota home, opt for plants that can withstand the hot Florida sun. Various palm trees, beach sunflowers, and countless ornamental grasses are all perfect drought-tolerant options that can spruce up your yard while surviving those scorching Sarasota summers.
Reduce your grass
If you’re looking for ways to enhance your lawn but also want to minimize maintenance, find ways to reduce the amount of grass. Install gravel pathways, stones, and even some water features, which not only help limit routine maintenance, but also add a little character and charm to your yard as well.
Be careful not to overplant
If you’re new to Florida, you’re probably not use to how quickly plants grow in a warm tropical environment. So as you’re adding new plants to your backyard, try to keep in mind how big certain plants will get as they mature, which will come in handy when it comes time to trim and maintain your yard in the future.
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