READER'S ROCK LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE VOL 2 ISSUE 4 NOVEMBER 2014 Vol 1 Issue 11 May 2014 | Page 61

Backyard projects to turn the area into a treasured sanctuary
(BPT) - You love the days when you
can go home from work, open the
windows and enjoy dinner out on the
deck. And it sure isn't hard to rise
early on those sunny weekend days
to spend all day in the backyard.
Those days are here, and it's time to
get outside to spend time with the
grill, the garden and the deck.
Because the backyard is a space
people like to develop with
landscaping and gathering areas,
they look for building materials that
not only provide the strength and
durability needed for the project
they're working on, but also those
that have the aesthetic beauty
preferred for a backyard sanctuary. If
you're planning to update your
backyard this summer, consider these
ideas:
* Add a deck or patio - A gathering
space is very important in the
backyard, and if you don't already
have one, you'll appreciate the sense
of community and togetherness a
deck or patio provides your family
once it's built. As you plan your deck,
be sure to consider the material you'll
use for building it. Natural wood like
Western red cedar requires minimal
maintenance when left natural. It will
turn into a distinguished silver-gray

that frequently matches or
complements a home's color. Plus,
wood is a natural and sustainable
material choice, as the manufacturing
process is very low-carbon emitting
compared to composite products.

red cedar are perfect for building
raised beds, because they won't leak
any chemical toxins into your garden.
With your beds created and planted,
you'll be enjoying flowers and
vegetables all summer long.

Be sure to design your deck or patio
to give you the most use of it. For
example, if your family likes to grill,
consider building in a grill. Or if
reading is a favorite activity, add a
couple of lounge chairs with a shade
cover and a drink cooler handy; you'll
never want to leave the deck! Also,
decorate the area with lights so you
can enjoy the space well into the
evening, long after the sun has
disappeared behind the horizon.

* Build a visual element - Not many
backyards have a visual element, but
when one is added, it completely
changes the look of the space. Visual
elements are often practical and
decorative. For example, a pergola
can provide a shaded sitting area or a
structure for grapes or flowering
climbing vines. A gazebo is a great
location for reading a book in the
shade or a romantic candlelit
ev [