When you live in San Diego, your yard should reflect its coastal beauty. That means low-maintenance landscaping techniques that allow you to spend more time enjoying everything that makes the city unique.
As the leading backyard remodel San Diego company, Sunny Builders Group knows how important a functional outdoor space is to homeowners. That’s why they take the time to understand their clients’ preferences and design aspirations.
Removing the Lawn
As drought and high water rates continue to drive homeowners to rethink their landscapes, more are turning to alternatives to traditional lawns. Lawns on steep slopes, in irregularly shaped areas, along fences and in other difficult-to-mow places are good candidates for a change to xeriscaping.
There are a variety of methods to remove your old lawn, including spraying with herbicides or using sod cutters to dig it up. However, these methods aren’t ideal for everyone and can disrupt soils and wildlife. If you’re considering removing your lawn, it’s best to work with a landscape design professional to ensure the process goes smoothly.
For those who decide to go the chemical-free route, solarizing is a great way to kill your grass and make it ready for a new planting. Simply cover the area with a sheet of clear or black plastic for several weeks (the hottest days with direct sunlight work best). The grass will die, and the covered soil will break down to become compost.
Installing a Fire Pit or Fireplace
When you think of iconic scenes of outdoor entertainment, a fire is likely in the picture illuminating storytellers’ faces, melting marshmallows over the crackling flames or warming peaceful stargazers. Adding an outdoor fireplace or fire pit is a wonderful way to make your backyard feel more like an oasis for relaxing with family and friends.
There are many options to consider when choosing a fireplace for your San Diego Backyard Transformation. You can opt for a gas fireplace that is fueled by natural gas, which allows you to turn on your warmth with the flick of a switch and offers convenience without the need to store and handle wood.
You can also choose a wood-burning fireplace for a more traditional look that’s perfect for creating a cozy backyard retreat. Whether you choose to add a freestanding fireplace or a built-in one that’s integrated into your backyard design, you can create the look you desire with a range of materials including brick, stone and tile.
Adding a Water Feature or Pond
Add visual interest and sound to your backyard with a water feature or pond. There are many different options available, from a small fountain to large backyard ponds with waterfalls and koi ponds. It’s important to consider safety when installing a water feature, such as using slip-resistant surfaces around the feature and making sure all electrical wiring is properly grounded and protected with GFCI outlets.
If you’re considering adding a pond, start by planning it out on paper before beginning construction. Choose a shape that looks natural, and be sure to contact “Dig Alert” in your area before starting any digging to ensure no underground utilities are accidentally damaged.
Sunny Builders Group is a premier San Diego Backyard Remodel Company that specializes in creating transformative backyard landscape renovations that exceed homeowners’ expectations. By combining a high level of craftsmanship with a deep understanding of homeowner preferences and aspirations, they deliver exceptional backyard landscapes that are the envy of the neighborhood.
Adding Outdoor Lighting
A well-lit yard sets the mood for nighttime entertaining and adds value to your home. You can highlight outdoor furniture, architecture and landscape features with strategically placed wash or spot lighting, or illuminate stairways or drop-offs to avoid the risks of falling during darkness.
In this Yardzen design, the xeriscape garden softens as you approach the front of the house with drought tolerant plants like Lavender and Cape Rush mingling with California native grasses and groundcovers. The lush planting is framed by a crisp paver path and surrounded by a modern wood pergola to define the upscale lounge space.
When installing new outdoor lighting or replacing a fixture, start by turning off power at the main circuit breaker using a multimeter or voltage detector tool to make sure there is no electricity present before you work on anything electrical. It’s also recommended that you hire a professional to perform this type of work if you don’t have any experience working with outdoor wiring.