Cypress Adirondack Chair

Has it been awhile since you’ve updated your backyard with new garden features and patio furniture such as wooden chaise lounge chairs or tables? Underutilized stretches of space and rusted, rotted, or broken furniture not only detract from the natural beauty of the area but also deter people from wanting to spend time out there.

If this describes the current state of your yard, then consider restoring its appeal by making some long overdue improvements. Use the following list of the hottest summer 2012 trends for backyard spaces to get inspired while you browse the Fifthroom.com web store.

Create a theme

Decorating your yard around a single theme yields a nicely unifying effect. Whether your preferred style is Oriental, Southwestern, or coastal, make sure everything adheres to the theme.

Return to nature

Forget the perfectly manicured lawn and meticulously trimmed hedges, and let nature run a bit wild in your yard. Slightly overgrown grass, along with fruit trees and vegetables or herbs in the garden, can make the area look lush and vibrant, while birdhouses and feeders reinforce the concept by attracting local species.

Add a garden structure

Freestanding or wall-mounted garden structures such as pergolas, ramadas, arbors, and gazebos are practical as well as aesthetically pleasing. A thoughtfully placed eucalyptus chaise lounge or glider near a structure can further transform the area into your favorite retreat.

If your backyard space is stuck in a bygone era, then now is the perfect time to make some changes. By decorating around a single theme, buying new wooden chaise lounge chairs, returning to nature, and adding a garden structure from Fifthroom.com, you can finally have the outdoor space you’ve been dreaming of.