If your backyard is like mine (see photo to the left) then who cares about making any changes! Seriously, though, most of us don't live at the beach but that isn't a reason not to turn your yard into your personal oasis.
More and more people are adding cooking areas to their backyards. You don't have to have a fully functioning kitchen; many budgets will only allow for a small counter with built-in grill. These can be built either with concrete cinder block or simple wood framing, and both types of construction can be veneered with stone or brick.
Take a look around your backyard. If there's an area that your eye passes over without a second glance then add something different in that area. Try mixing plants and/or trees with different types of leaves for an interesting contrast. If you have a low lying area you may consider creating the illusion of a stream bed by using river rock. Shady areas of your backyard can be brightened by planting shade tolerant flowers. White impatients planted in the shade beneath a grouping of shrubs can give a cool and refreshing feeling to the senses.
Do something fun and quirky. At our last house Janet convinced me to paint the two sections of fence that hid our pool equipment red. I mean...RED. At first I was reluctant but once the paint was on and we'd hung some planters and other iron artwork it really gave a shot in the arm to that part of the yard.
Add lighting to your yard where you can. A really cool solution that I saw in a magazine once showed six-foot tall, 4x4 posts placed in a 24" tall galvanized metal pots. The pots were narrow and not bulky at all, and they were filled with sand in order to stabilize the posts. Space 4-5 (or more) of these 6'-8' apart, screw a small hook near the top, and run a string of lights (preferably clear and fat) from post to post. This will light up any foot path, or configured a different way will make a nice backdrop to a seating area.
