Renovation Tips

The Age of the Roof

One of the most fundamental issues that you need to consider when buying a fixer-upper is the age and quality of the roof. First, you’ll want to determine when the roof was last replaced and what material was used, as each material has a different lifespan. For example, composition shingles need to be replaced about every 15 years, while asphalt shingles can last up to 25 years.

The chimney and any vents on the roof should also be looked at carefully, as well as the quality of the installation of the roofing materials. The integrity of these can make or break the integrity of the house overall; if moisture has been able to penetrate through the roof over time, this could seriously affect the entire structure.

Condition of the Kitchen and Baths

The condition of the kitchen and bathrooms are important when it comes to buying a house that needs renovation. While most house hunters already pay close attention to the surface-level condition of these rooms –– the style and decor, the layout, and the overall quality of the materials and appliances –– you need to look deeper to understand what’s happening below the surface. Specifically, you and your inspector should carefully examine the condition of the plumbing running through your kitchen and bathrooms to ensure it is up to code, that the water pressure is adequate, and that the faucets run both hot and cold water. Similarly, check for signs of hard water or iron-rich water around faucets, sinks, and toilets. This may appear as rust-colored stains or a scummy build-up. Kitchen and bath remodels can be significant investments when it comes to home renovation, but being able to make those upgrades using your existing plumbing can make a huge difference when it comes to your budget.

Broken Windows

Windows are an integral part to maintaining a comfortable and energy efficient home, but when you’re buying a house that requires renovation, replacing windows can be an enormous expense depending on the age, number, and style of the windows.

First, check the window frames for rot, damage, or cracking; if there is significant damage to the frame, you’ll probably need to replace these. If the frames appear to be in good shape, you may be able to get away with only replacing the glass.

Next, look for any windows that have a frosted look to them, or a build up of condensation or fog, as this could indicate that the window seal is broken. This occurs when a window pane is made from two panes of glass to enhance the insulation and the seal between those panes breaks. In addition to obscuring your view, this will cause air to leak in and out of your home, and therefore, means they need to be replaced.

Outdoor additions

The exterior space of your home shouldn’t be overlooked when you’re considering a home that will require renovations. Older homes may not have garages or storage spaces; without these spaces, you could find yourself parking your car on the street indefinitely. If the house has an elevated deck or balcony, you’ll want to carefully inspect the supports underneath to make sure they’re solid. If the property has no outdoor living spaces, such as patios or porches, it may be worth asking why. Can the foundation support the addition of an outdoor space? Are there zoning or permitting issues in play? Answering these questions sooner rather than later can save a lot of time and heartache, since the thing you would want to do is have a vision for indoor-outdoor living that you ultimately cannot execute.

Contact A-List Builders

If you’re committed to buying a house that requires renovation, you want to make sure you choose an experienced contracting service that you can trust. At A-List Builders, we have a team of dedicated designers and committed craftsmen who can guide you through the renovation process from start to finish. From indoor and outdoor remodeling to those restoration and renovation for estate properties, we’ve got you covered. Get in touch with us today to schedule a free in-home consultation!

Check the ceiling for water stains

If there is a leak in your roof that is affecting your ceiling, you should focus on managing these areas first as they may pose a safety risk. When ceilings are exposed to sustained water, this can weaken their structural integrity and lead to sagging or eventual collapse. Look for water stains along your ceiling, and block off any areas underneath those spots to avoid injury. For large areas, you will likely want to consult a professional to replace the damaged portions of the ceiling and ensure that the repaired ceiling matches your existing ceiling.

Replace damaged siding

Roof problems can also lead to water damage in your external siding, as well. Ice dams and other roof problems can cause water damage to siding materials as well. Here, there is a danger of water seeping behind your siding and causing permanent damage to more vulnerable materials underneath, such as unsealed wood. Be sure to have the affected siding removed or replaced before it begins to rot.

Address any plumbing issues

If the source of the damage is related to plumbing, and especially if you notice a consistent pooling of water that seems to be difficult to stem, you will need to contact a professional plumber to ensure that the problem is addressed quickly. To identify whether or not your water damage is related to plumbing, first turn off the water at the source. If you still see a leak, drip, or pooling of water, the plumbing may not be the problem. However, if you notice that turning off the water at the source does provide temporary relief, you can pass this information along to your plumber so that the issue is identified and addressed more quickly.

Remove any mildew or mold

One of the serious long-term consequences of a leaky roof is the potential build up mildew or mold. Both mildew and mold thrive in damp, humid conditions, and once it begins to grow in a section of your house, it can quickly spread through the vents and air ducts. Prolonged exposure to mold spores can cause health issues, especially for people who may be susceptible to respiratory conditions such as asthma. You’ll want to use specialty cleaning products to kill the mold and prevent it from spreading further. Any parts of the home, including the ceilings, walls, or framing that are severely infected may need to be removed and replaced completely.

Reach out to A-List Builders

If you’re looking for a trusted fire and water damage restoration company in Southern California, contact A-List Builders. We provide complete restoration services, including home restorations related to water damage and roofing, fire damage, natural disasters, and more. Our team can work with you to rebuild your roof so that it meets code requirements and even offer suggestions to prevent future water-related issues. We also work with you to maintain your project after it’s complete to ensure long-term success.

To get started, reach out to us at [email protected] or give us a call today at (877)-582-7770.

Indoor-Outdoor Living Ideas for Cool Nights: Fireplaces and Fire Pits

Sure, the sunny days in SoCal keep temperatures comfortably warm, but the nights can be pretty cool, especially in the winter months. That’s where your outdoor fireplace or fire pit can come in handy. This cozy addition enables you to enjoy your outdoor living room all year long. You’ll need to make a few decisions about your fireplace, including whether you want it to be wood-burning or gas. Gas is the safer and more convenient option, but you will need to work with a contractor to run the gas line to your outdoor living area. There are also fireplace and fire pit options that double as cooking units or pizza ovens, so if part of your outdoor experience involves firing up some food, this may be the right choice for you. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, consider a round wood burning fire pit or a simple chiminea.

Hardscaping and Landscaping

The hardscaping and landscaping of your indoor-outdoor living room can make all the difference when it comes to feeling like the space is truly an extension of the home. When you hardscape your yard with the intention of creating an indoor-outdoor space, it is important that the design elements integrate with your home to create a smooth transition. This can be achieved through the materials you choose and the landscaping choices you make. Hardscaping and landscaping services may include standard excavating and removing old materials, working with designers and architects with experience in executing outdoor living space ideas, and the installation of new hardscaping using materials such as concrete, bricks, hardwood, and stone.

Full Glass Sunroom

A full glass sunroom is another way to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors but with four-season protection from the elements. Sometimes called conservatories or solariums, these rooms allow you to appreciate the sense of the outdoors even when its raining or during the coldest of months. Another benefit of sunrooms is that they enable you to extend the growing season of certain plants that may otherwise be at risk if left fully exposed outside.

Choose Indoor-Outdoor Experts

When you want the ultimate in indoor-outdoor Southern California living, choose A-List Builders. Our team of designers and contractors work with you from start to finish to develop unique indoor-outdoor living ideas that integrate beautifully into your existing home or home renovation project. From plans and permits to the final punch-list and complete home remodeling to suit your ideal lifestyle, we’ll be there to give you the home of your dreams. If you’re ready to live the Southern California lifestyle to the fullest with an indoor-outdoor living room, reach out to us online or give us a call at (877)-582-7770.

Bathroom Upgrade Ideas

Working on interior design and renovation can create the most remarkable bathrooms with some minimal, carefully curated changes. From attentively selected light fixtures and accessories to simple changes in color palettes, there are a number of bathroom upgrade ideas that can transform a space and make it feel luxurious and breathable.

At A-List Builders, we’ve worked on tons of bathroom renovations and would love to assist you with expert advice. If you want to learn more about luxury bathroom design, read on here for tips from our experienced team on how to make your bathroom feel like a spa.

1. Discover the Right Color Scheme

What is most soothing about the spas you’ve visited in hotels and beauty salons? Usually it’s their color palettes and how they create a sense of space in their various rooms. If you’re looking for the top bathroom color upgrade ideas, you’ll want to lean more towards light blues, warm whites and creams, and cool greys. These colors lend a refreshing, clean feeling to your space.

Beware of choosing colors that are too sterile, like bright whites and mint greens. Window sill trims and crown molding in complementary colors can help offset any hues that are too cold. If you’re not sure where to find color and trim samples, the team at A-List Builders can help! Reach out to learn more.

2. Choosing the Perfect Lighting

Like your color palette, warm lighting is best here. You can also work with an experienced contracting team, like A-List Builders, to install dimmable lights for extra control over your space. Dim lights are an essential aspect of luxury bathroom design, allowing you to invite warm tones and colors into the space.

You may also want to consider different types of wall sconces, pendant lights, and vanity lights to create a cohesive environment. Antiqued metal fixtures look great with warm tones and bring an artisan vibe into your bathroom. Get bathroom upgrade ideas for your own lighting when you browse our portfolio online!

3. Must Have Spa Accessories

There are tons of little things that can really transform your space, including unique bathtubs and custom shower fixtures and faucets. You may want to upgrade everything to focus in on a spa-like ambiance. Adding thematic accessories to your bathroom space is key to creating an environment you can relax in and gives you a direction where you can express your stylistic preferences. Whether you like seashells and bronze ocean creatures or a tropical rainforest aura, these are important details to work into your bathroom upgrade ideas.

4. Budget Changes

Not every bathroom renovation requires you to spend a ton of money. You can update small pieces of your bathroom one by one to slowly build up to the perfect spa. Change out your faucets and shower heads for more elegant pieces, or consider getting a rain showerhead with adjustable settings. Just changing out your bath products for soaps with herbal hints like lavender and eucalyptus can also have a substantial effect.

Work with the Best

If you’ve been wondering how to make your bathroom feel more like a spa, we hope this list has enough bathroom upgrade ideas to get you started. Our team at A-List Builders knows all about bathroom remodels and renovations, so these are the top tips that all of our clients really appreciate. We can also provide more specific advice for your space once we see what you have to work with.

When you’re ready to start your own spa renovation, reach out to us today for a free one hour consultation that can help you map out a plan that works for your bathroom and your budget.

If you were asked which state experiences the most earthquakes that register at least 3.0 magnitude (M), you might say California. It’s a good guess, but the answer is actually Alaska. In fact, a recent spike in seismic activity in Oklahoma has pushed it, too, ahead of California on the list of states that had the greatest number of earthquakes last year. 

However, among cities with stringent earthquake building codes that allude to performing earthquake retrofits, Los Angeles is often considered the city with the most need for protection. L.A. is in a prime location to receive a strong rumble from what the federal government calls the “world’s greatest earthquake zone”, otherwise known as the circum-Pacific seismic belt. It’s where “81 percent of the world’s largest earthquakes occur.”

Earthquake Magnitude: The San Andreas Fault

In reality, if you want to avoid the destruction of an earthquake that reduces masonry to rubble, a city that experiences plenty of earthquakes isn’t necessarily the worst place to be. The severity of an earthquake is determined by the characteristics of the fault line that produces the event — the larger the total area of the fault, the larger the earthquake tends to be. Some faults produce plenty of quakes, but lack the type of formation to create deadly ones. 

California has over 500 active fault lines, the most infamous of which is the San Andreas Fault. The fault is a giant crack in the earth’s crust that separates two tectonic plates: the Pacific Plate and the North American Plate, which shift against each other to produce earthquakes. Among California’s active faults, the San Andreas has a worrisome combination of characteristics: a large total area and high activity. 

The fault is 800 miles long and roughly 12 miles deep. According to seismologists, this means it can produce earthquakes of up to 8.3M. To get an idea of how strong a quake of that magnitude would be, consider that the most powerful earthquake ever recorded was the 1960 Valdivia earthquake, in Chile, which registered 9.5M. The fault that produced that event is about 1,000 miles long and 150 miles wide.

The San Andreas Fault causes roughly 10,000 earthquakes annually, with only 15-20 of them being 4.0M or greater. For homes and buildings that need an earthquake retrofit in Los Angeles, receiving a retrofit that easily responds to a quakes of 7.0M and above is highly recommended. This tends to be the magnitude at which brick and mortar readily crack and collapse, and the magnitude that easily produces the need for residential foundation repair in Los Angeles. 

Residential Earthquake Retrofits in Los Angeles

You’ve probably heard the old saying more times than you care to count: “the bigger they are, the harder they fall”. According to the Square Cube Law, which establishes strength to weight ratio, the statement is actually true.  It also helps explain why large buildings can be less likely to collapse under the stress of a strong earthquake than certain types of homes.

L.A. has one of the best earthquake building codes of any city. The code, along with the willingness of many building owners to go above and beyond it, creates a city that isn’t exactly “earthquake proof”, but is well-equipped to withstand a strong shake. Simple technology, such as concrete reinforced with rebar, combined with complex technology, such as base isolation, supports metal superstructures that, as gargantuan as they are, boast impressive strength-to-weight ratios.

Residences in L.A. are another story. Traditionally, residential architecture in the city shows a strong Spanish influence. You see lots of stucco and asymmetrical facades. Behind those facades, more recently built residences often have a wood or metal frame. The masonry may fall away during an earthquake, but the basic structure should remain intact. 

Following a major quake, traditional residences may be the ones that need the most intensive structural and foundation repair in Los Angeles. However, when an earthquake retrofit in Los Angeles is performed by A-List Builders, the goal of the job can go beyond ensuring that public safety concerns and structure survivability are addressed. Depending on the characteristics of the residence, the goal can exceed the expectations of stringent earthquake building codes for the public sector. The residence’s full functionality may be preserved. There may even be the potential to render the home unaffected by the quake. 

Regarding what types of L.A. residences can significantly benefit from retrofits, helpful information can be extrapolated from the Santa Monica Seismic Retrofit program.   

The Next Big Quake ⁠— Is it Really on the Way?

At some point, another momentous earthquake will almost certainly shake Los Angeles. But even the most adroit seismologists in Southern California, who have studied their native tectonic plate for years, can not say precisely when it will arrive — not even within a span of decades or centuries. 

As USGS.gov points out, “There are only two large known historic earthquakes on the San Andreas Fault in southern CA, the most recent in 1857, and before that one in 1812. With about 45 years between the historic earthquakes but about 160 years since the last one, it is clear that the fault does not behave like a clock with a regular beat.”

That’s not exactly consoling. However, just as you can’t be certain that another foundation busting quake will shake L.A. in the next century, you can be sure that it won’t. This leaves homeowners with one reasonable option for protecting their residences and loved ones, in the event that a high-intensity quake happens sooner than later: implementing an earthquake retrofit in Los Angeles proactively.

Contact A-List Builders for Your Free Estimate      

Frequent earthquakes are a reality of life in L.A. Thankfully, most of them are minor rumbles that don’t appear to precede bigger ones. However, because no one knows when a quake of great significance will happen, it’s important to be prepared for such an event, day after day. If you need an earthquake retrofit in Los Angeles, please contact us for a free estimate today.

You absolutely love everything about your home. Except for its size. Your home is certainly a nice retreat from your crazy days, but it would be nice to have a little more space to move about.

The good news? You can easily enlarge your living space with a few additions. Here’s a glimpse at some room addition ideas for small homes.

Add a Sunroom

Do you embrace the beauty of the outdoors but also enjoy the comfort of being indoors? If so, you can’t go wrong with a sunroom addition—one of the most popular room addition ideas for small homes. These additions provide the best of both worlds.

What’s great about a sunroom is that this room addition can easily enhance your home’s use. For instance, you can entertain friends and family in your new indoor-outdoor space, and unlike being outdoors, you don’t have to swat at annoying mosquitoes. 

Also, a sunroom allows for maximizing the natural light entering your home. A qualified remodeling company will make sure that your sunroom addition effortlessly blends with the remainder of your house for a seamless look from the inside out.

Add a Living Room Addition

Homeowners seeking room addition ideas for small homes will find that living room additions are a great option.

Here’s why.

Your living room is essentially your home’s centerpiece, so if you decide to add to it, you won’t just be adding to the room: You’ll be adding value to your entire home. After all, living room additions are known to dramatically increase homes’ aesthetics, value, livability, and comfort.

Another benefit of living room additions is that they give you the chance to exercise your creative freedom, as you can complete your renovation around your family’s unique lifestyle.

As soon as you’ve decided on the design elements and layout of your addition, make sure that you select the perfect paint color for your addition—one that will match your desired atmosphere. For instance, a red shade may be ideal if you’d like your living room addition to have an exciting and energizing vibe. Meanwhile, a blue shade is ideal for creating a tranquil feel.

Add a Mudroom

Although many houses feature entryways, many lack entire mudrooms. So, if you’re looking for room addition ideas for small homes, a mudroom addition just may be what your home—and your family—needs.

A mudroom addition can come in handy for keeping backpacks, shoes, and coats in one place in your home. You can simply install cubbies, lockers, cabinets, or hooks in your mudroom addition to promote the organization of these items. If you’re like many homeowners with mudrooms, you’ll quickly fall in love with the visual appeal and additional storage that your mudroom offers.

Bring Your Favorite Room Addition Ideas for Small Homes to Life Today!

If you’re desperate to make your small home look and feel bigger, now couldn’t be a better time to start your room addition.

At A-List Builders, we are excited to partner with you to turn any one of the above room addition ideas for small homes into a reality. We’ll first complete a free consultation for you. Then, we’ll sit down with you to choose the materials you’re interested in using for your remodel, as well as create a winning strategy. Then, we’ll take the necessary planning, permit, and building steps to bring your room addition vision to life.

Get in touch with us today to learn more about how our room addition services can help you to boost your home’s functionality, beauty, and value in no time.

You walk into your home after a busy day at work, and as soon as the children finish bombarding you with hugs and kisses, you collapse onto the couch. 

It’s great to be home.

As much as you enjoy the cozy place you call home, deep down inside, you wish you had a little more room to breathe. Fortunately, even if your home is smaller than you’d like, creating more space isn’t a hard feat to accomplish with the right tips and tricks.

Here’s a rundown on the top five house remodeling ideas for small homes this year.

1. Embrace an Open Floor Plan

If you’re serious about expanding your interior living space, note that embracing the open floor plan concept is one of the best house remodeling ideas for small homes.

Why? Because a small house’s interior walls end up breaking up your home’s space. As a result, the home’s rooms may appear tight and thus not functional. 

This problem is especially common in kitchen and dining room areas; for example, a wall may separate your dining room and kitchen, or perhaps a wall is separating your dining room and living room. In these situations, it may behoove you to simply remove the walls to create the extra functional space your home needs. This move will additionally make your house seem brighter—an added bonus.

As you create a more open space in your home, you may also want to unify the space by installing uniform flooring. This flooring may range from tile to vinyl flooring and carpeting.

2. Consider Adding Crown Molding and Painting Your Trim

If you’re looking for house remodeling ideas for small homes, consider adding crown molding to your walls, as this will immediately make your rooms seem bigger. How? Because crown molding has a way of elongating a wall’s line and thus making your walls look taller.

In addition, you may want to paint your trim and moldings in every room if a natural wood look isn’t a major architectural element of your home. White paint is a smart choice because it works well with many wall colors due to being bright and neutral. As a result, it’s great for unifying your home’s rooms.

3. Limit Your Home’s Wall Colors

While we’re on the topic of painting, you may want to stick with white or other neutral colors for your home’s walls as well. That’s because neutral colors on your walls can make your small home look bigger. 

However, you don’t have to make all of your walls the same color. Instead, stick with a certain color and then use varying values of this hue in your home’s different rooms. For example, use a light gray in your hallways, and use a darker gray in your kitchen or dining room, where you wish to highlight the home’s architecture. Meanwhile, a mid-tone can be useful in bedrooms and bathrooms.

4. Add Skylights

Still looking for winning house remodeling ideas for small homes? Why not add a skylight to your home?

A skylight is excellent at bringing sunlight and warmth into your home. Custom skylights are an enjoyable way to make your home look larger while simultaneously adding an air of sophistication to your space.

5. Create Storage

Using cabinetry and shelving for storage in your home is another excellent way of maximizing your small home’s functional storage.

For instance, you can add recessed shelving to your walls to make every inch of your home count when it comes to having adequate storage. Recessed shelving is also great for conserving floor space.

Meanwhile, cabinets help with containing contents and keeping your home looking uncluttered. Likewise, a buffet can prove to be especially handy in your dining room, as it can provide essential storage for your linens, dishes, and glasses.

Start Implementing Today’s Top House Remodeling Ideas for Small Homes!

Outside of work, your home is likely the place where you spend the most time. For this reason, if your house is on the small side, it’s a wise idea to implement the above house remodeling ideas for small homes.

The good news? You don’t have to navigate this process alone. A-List Builders can guide you through it, from start to finish, helping you to determine which renovations will best add functionality to your living space.

Contact us today to learn more about all of your house remodeling options and get started on your first—or next—project today.

Most people renovate a house for one of two reasons: to turn the property into a place where they can live comfortably, or to increase the value of the home, and then sell it for a profit. In either situation, there are certain things about home renovation that you need to know beforehand to ensure that you invest wisely and the project goes smoothly. Here are seven important things that you should know before buying a house to renovate:

1. Renovations that are Required by Law

Before they can be inhabited again, some homes need renovations that are required by law. For example, if a home has been judged to be structurally unsound, or if it was used in a way that created a chemically toxic interior, you’ll almost certainly need to factor renovations for these things into your plans. Before investing in fixer uppers, it’s important to know of any renovations the law would require you to make, as they would become inevitable cost factors.     

2. The Legality of Planned Renovations

In addition to knowing about renovations that the law would require you to make, it’s essential to learn of any renovations that federal, state, or municipal law would prohibit. If you’re buying a house to renovate in a community that’s governed by a homeowners association (HOA), you would also need to know whether the planned fixes are permissible under community bylaws. Knowing these things upfront helps you decide whether a property is ideal for your plans. 

3. Realistic Time and Cost for Renovations

Whether you’re buying a house to renovate for your next residence, or you hope to profit by selling the residence when the work is done, your plans depend on how long the renovations will take, and how much they will cost. 

Before you finalize plans for moving from your current home into one that you’re renovating, or before you make financial plans based on the sale of a soon to be renovated home, contact A-List Builders. We’ll present you with a realistic timeline and cost analysis for the renovations you need.   

4. Home Value Vs. Cost of Renovations

When you’re buying a house to renovate, you naturally want to make a sound financial investment. To do so, you need to know three things: how much the house is worth now, how much it would be worth after renovations were made, and the cost of renovations. If the home will become your place of residence, spending more than the numbers say you should is more sensible than it would be if you planned to quickly “flip” the property for a profit.   

5. Which Tasks are Suitable for DIY Work

When they invest in fixer uppers to renovate the homes, and then “flip” them to earn a profit, many investors perform do-it-yourself (DIY) renovations to cut costs and maximize profit. While this is a good financial strategy, it’s important to stick to DIY projects that you have the skills to master. 

This is especially true for the renovating of essential systems in a home, such as plumbing and electrical. If you lack the requisite expertise, performing DIY renovations to these systems could be dangerous. It could also result in costly rework that lowers your profit margin.   

6. How Many Contractors will be Required

Prior to buying a house to renovate, some home buyers assume that a single contractor can perform all of the wanted and needed changes to the residence. In many cases, it’s true that only one contractor is required. However, it’s also common to need more than one contractor. 

For example, if the grounds of the property you buy need to be relandscaped, you’ll likely end up hiring a landscaping contractor, in addition to retaining a contractor to renovate the house itself. Knowing how many contractors are required helps you estimate renovation cost based on the cost of contractor services. It also helps you envision what managing the project will be like, as you dialogue with contractors.   

7. Qualifications of Prospective Contractors

The quality of your renovations depends partly on the contractors you hire. You should only consider contractors that have at least three essential qualifications: they hold a general building contractor license in the state of California, offer a guarantee of quality workmanship, and carry insurance that would pay for damage to your property that occurred during renovation work.

In addition, focus on hiring contractors that have demonstrated experience in renovating the type of residence you are fixing up. For example, if you’re buying a century home, with plans to restore its original condition, choose a contractor that has experience with this type of project.   

Contact A-List Builders for Renovations

Serving the greater Los Angeles area, A-List Builders is a leading home remodeling company that completes residential remodeling projects of all scopes and sizes, from installing new window treatments to fully redesigning interiors and exteriors. If you’re thinking about investing in fixer uppers and buying a house to renovate, contact us before you make a move. We’ll help you assess how much you would pay for renovations and how long the project would take.

In some parts of Los Angeles, there’s plenty of room along the side of your home either in the form of a side lawn or a walkway. It’s easy to forget that you can also make this space just as beautiful as your front or back yard.  You can increase the visual appeal, overall value, and aesthetic of your home by optimizing this space better. 

Our expert landscaping and hardscaping services can help! Read on how to make the most of your side yard this year with our favorite side yard landscaping ideas.

Your Side Yard Design Options

If you’re looking for low-maintenance side yard ideas, you have a few alluring options. First, you could choose to install a pathway or walkway without planting any flower beds on the side of your yard.

Your second option? You could install both a walkway and plants on the side of your home if there’s enough room for both. Ideally, you should border your walkway with plants on both sides.

If you’re seeking side yard landscaping ideas, your third option is not to include pavers but still include plants on the side of the yard. In this situation, you’ll simply need to leave enough room for yourself to move relatively freely among the plants.

Walkway and Plants

If you plan to use the side of your yard rather frequently, installing a walkway is a wise move. Ideally, you should install one with a surface that won’t pose a tripping hazard for you. As an example, flagstone walkways provide nice, even surfaces. 

Let’s take a look at a couple of low-maintenance side yard ideas involving pavers and plants.

Symmetrical Appearance 

For a nice effect with pavers, consider installing two straight lines of pavers side by side for a head-turning symmetrical style. Then, you can line your pavers with flowers to make your side yard even more aesthetically pleasing.

Organic Shape

Another walkway option for those looking for side yard landscaping ideas is to create a path with an organic, original shape. This will immediately add character to your side yard. If you flank it with grasses or trees, this will offer your visitors a welcome sense of procession and grandeur.

Then, if you place a waterfall or pond at the end of the path, this will make the yard feel even more like the ultra nature lover’s getaway. Feel free to also place a bench or a small table along the path if you have enough space to do so as well.

These are excellent small side yard patio ideas that will give you a spot in your yard where you can hide out, enjoy quiet moments, and take in the beautiful sights from one season to the next.

Implement the Top Side Yard Landscaping Ideas Today!

If you’re interested in giving your home curb appeal, it only makes sense to pay just as much attention to the side of your yard as you do the front. Fortunately, with the above side yard landscaping ideas, you can easily transform the side of your yard into a retreat area you’ll never forget.

Get in touch with us at A-List Builders to learn how we can bring your small side yard patio ideas to fruition.