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While decluttering the interior of your home is a regular part of housekeeping, maintaining a clean backyard is equally crucial. Backyards often serve multiple purposes, such as dining, socializing, gardening, and more, leading to potential clutter accumulation. Unsightly clutter can detract from the overall appeal of your outdoor space, making it less functional and less ideal for entertaining. To assist you in tidying up your backyard, we’re sharing expert advice on what to remove from your landscape immediately.
Invasive and Overgrown Plants
Regular seasonal clean-up and pruning can help keep your landscape neat, but removing high-maintenance, non-native plants can reduce your maintenance tasks and enhance the appearance of your backyard. Mary Phillips from the National Wildlife Federation suggests, “Replacing high-maintenance non-native shrubs like boxwood with native alternatives such as inkberry can provide a tidier look with less upkeep.”
Old Furniture
While some outdoor materials are designed to withstand weathering, others deteriorate over time. Alexander Betz, a landscape designer at Plant by Number, advises, “Rusty metal chairs, brittle plastic tables, or worn-out hammocks can give your yard a neglected appearance. Assess your outdoor furniture, keep what is still sturdy and visually appealing, and discard or replace items that no longer contribute to comfort or charm.” Consider refurbishing worn furniture before discarding it.
Tattered Cushions
If the structural integrity of your outdoor furniture is intact, consider replacing the cushions or covers. Grey Joyner of Grey Joyner Interiors recommends, “Faded colors, mildew stains, or sagging foam indicate that it’s time to replace the cushions. Opt for performance fabrics that can endure the elements and maintain their appearance longer.” Updating the colors and patterns of your cushions can reduce visual clutter in your outdoor space.
Unpleasant Lighting
Well-designed outdoor lighting can create a warm ambiance for evening gatherings and enhance safety on paths and walkways. On the other hand, harsh or broken lighting fixtures can have the opposite effect. Alexander Betz suggests using subtle, downward-facing solar lights or soft string lights to highlight specific areas, maintaining a calm and intentional atmosphere.
Excess Décor
When used thoughtfully, outdoor décor can enhance the aesthetics of your backyard. However, excessive decorations can overwhelm the space. Select a few key pieces that complement your outdoor theme, avoiding clutter and maintaining a serene ambiance.
By addressing these aspects, you can create a more inviting and functional outdoor space for relaxation and entertaining.
Enhance your garden with a lovely garden flag, a charming fairy garden, or a striking art piece to complement your shrubs and flowers. “Strategic accents, such as a decorative bird bath or an attractive planter, can add character, but an excess of small ornaments, figurines, or signs can quickly create a cluttered look,” advises Joyner. “Opt for fewer, impactful pieces and arrange them thoughtfully to enhance rather than overwhelm the landscape.”
Dilapidated bird feeders not only diminish the aesthetic appeal of your yard but can also pose a risk to your bird visitors. “Neglected bird feeders can spread disease if not cleaned regularly,” notes Phillips. “If they are in poor condition, rarely used, or overcrowding the space, removing them can declutter the backyard.”
Tidy up your yard by stashing away excess project materials like mulch bags, leftover stones, old tools, or spare wood planks for a neater appearance. Additionally, address unfinished garden areas or patchy grass to prevent weed growth, soil erosion, or the invasion of unwanted species. “Covering bare soil with native ground covers or organic mulch can improve the look and health of the soil,” suggests Betz.
Even though outdoor toys and sports equipment may see frequent use, they can create a messy look in your outdoor space. Consider donating items your family no longer needs, and remove outdated play structures to achieve a more serene and organized environment. Store current toys in designated containers and keep them out of sight in a garage or shed.
