The great outdoors

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By Suzanne Wintrob

Five years ago, Paula King and her husband sold their home in downtown Toronto’s picturesque Cabbagetown neighbourhood and bought a 2,500-square-foot, four-bedroom house in a more family oriented part of the city. Since their old house only had room for a back deck, they were thrilled the new place had a backyard and a driveway where their three young sons could play.

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But after just one summer, the Kings realized their dream backyard needed some serious work. Poor grading meant when it rained the mud collected in the middle of the yard, and the trees provided so much shade the grass wouldn’t grow.

These days, the Kings can’t wait to run outside to swim, play and entertain. With the help of BonaVista Leisurescapes and design landscape firm Earth Inc, they have transformed their big backyard into an outdoor oasis. There’s a large deck off the kitchen for lounging and barbecuing, a lower deck for dining, a cedar cabana, and a rectangular pool with two shallow ends so the kids can play water sports. Rounding it out are a sound system, low lighting and carefully selected low-maintenance shrubs and flowers that add colour and eye appeal. The Kings spend every possible moment outside, making the $120,000 price tag worth every penny.“The first three weeks we had the pool open, we were in the backyard more than we had been the previous four years,” Ms. King says. “When you’re in the house you can see the pool and it’s very inviting … and soothing. It’s an easy way to get [the kids] out of the basement playing Xbox. They’ll go for a swim and actually read and stay in the backyard. And it’s just very easy to entertain.”

With rising taxes, gas prices and traffic, Canadians like the Kings are opting to invest in their primary residence and make the most of their outdoor space. From fabulous furniture, firepits and heaters to pools, water features and alluring dining and lounging areas, that bland stretch of grass behind the home is being transformed into a colourful and serene summer retreat.

“We’ve talked about the outdoor room for years, but now it’s starting to ring very much true for people as they start to outgrow the interiors of their homes,” says landscape designer Carson Arthur. “Now the outdoor space has to be more than just aesthetically beautiful. It has to be functional at the same time.”

For those with large backyards, today’s trend is building separate spots for lounging, eating and playing. Jennifer Gannon, proprietor of BonaVista Leisurescapes, says “walls” define the different spaces “or it ends up not hanging so well.” Instead of scattering a barbecue here and a hot tub there, she encourages thinking through each area for cohesion. This is as easy as using a row of garden urns, a boxwood hedge, or even a path to delineate the space, Ms. Gannon says.

Frank Turco, Home Depot Canada’s senior manager of trend and design, says weatherproof furniture and outdoor area rugs are being sought for cocktails and conversation before guests move to the dining table. Meals are being served in outdoor kitchens featuring fridges, countertops, bars, and what Mr. Turco calls “kick-ass barbecues” with side grills and landing surfaces. Heaters come in interesting shapes to keep guests warm on chilly evenings, while water features and statues provide a calming feel.

To minimize prepping and cleaning, Mr. Turco suggests non-wood composite for Muskoka chairs, decks and planters because it doesn’t need painting or staining. Arthur encourages other green products such as recycled glass patio stones, decking made from recycled plastic bags, and ponds with rain barrels underneath for watering lawns.

Small gardens can be just as striking. Says Conrad Ehmann of Paradise Leisure Escapes in Regina: “An oasis to somebody could be a lounge chair and an umbrella, as long as it can accommodate them and they feel like they’re relaxing in their backyard. You can create [an oasis] very inexpensively or very expensively.” His advice: Be sure furniture fits the space and lets people manoeuvre around it.

The Kings have already spent hours in the backyard despite this year’s late start to spring and are busy planning pool parties and barbecues to reconnect with friends and neighbours. Says Ms. King: “A space that for five years we never really used is now our favourite space to spend time.”

Yards that Work

Keen on creating your very own outdoor oasis? Whether your space is large or small, ask yourself the following questions before heading to the store:

What will you do there? Designate zones for entertaining, lounging and kid play, says Home Depot’s Frank Turco, and position the barbecue away from wind and sun to avoid sweating over the steaks.

What’s your budget? Backyard transformations can range anywhere from $15,000 for landscaping to $100,000 or more when pools and deck construction are involved. Be sure the budget meets your needs, says Conrad Ehmann of Paradise Leisure Escapes, and keep tabs on costs to avoid financial surprises.

Do you have a plan? There’s no use in having a beautiful patio if you can’t fit the family on it, says Joel Loblaw of Earth Inc. Planning is key, so think about who will be using the space and the top two or three things they will do there.

How much do you like your neighbours? A fence made of wood or trees will ensure your privacy when you step outside for a morning coffee, brunch with friends, or an evening of skinny dipping.

What will it look like in the winter? Who wants to stare out of the kitchen window at a big brown patch come winter? Choose plants and shrubs that look like a Group of Seven painting even when the snow falls, Mr. Loblaw advises.