Every year around April the weather starts to warm up and everyone heads outside. We get our yards in shape. We pull the weeds, mow the lawn and trim the bushes. But sometimes it is still missing that certain Je ne sais quoi. Here are a few tips to add a little pizazz to a ho-hum exterior.

Plant an edible garden. Most people know that home-grown vegetables and herbs help you save money on your grocery bill (not to mention unexpected trips to the store), encourage you to eat better, and are just tastier than mass-grown produce. But many people fail to realize the aesthetic value of growing vegetables. A full, colorful vegetable garden can serve as a beautiful, and functional, centerpiece or side accent to any backyard.

Define your spaces. Separate your lawn from your flowerbeds and other planting areas to create a clean, organized look. You can do this by planting borders of annuals such as marigold, pansies or petunias. Other nature-inspired options include mulch or bark, or even unique stones such as river rock. You can also try decorative man-made borders.

Add depth and height. Experimenting with different sizes and shapes can help you solve common yard problems and add character to your space. Growing vines can help you transform an unsightly fence. Planting trees and shrubs can give you some privacy. And building a stepped flowerbed or terrace allows you to get more use out of sloped areas.

Dress up your porch or patio. The right design can transform an unused outdoor living space to a spot that family and company gravitate toward. If your space is uncovered, consider adding an awning, gazebo or canopy for shade and coziness. For furniture, you can go with the traditional table and chairs or you can opt for benches, swings, hammocks, sectionals, and so on. Complete the look with sconces, chandeliers, fans, rugs and potted or hanging plants.

Add the finishing touches. Accent pieces show your attention to detail and take your yard to the next level of style. Some extra details will even attract willdlife. If that’s what you’re looking for, here are some accents to consider. 

• Water brings calmness and tranquility. Try a pond, waterfall or even a small wading pool.
• Wildlife such as butterflies and birds add another layer of beauty that you can’t buy. Along with planting flowers, try attracting these creatures with a birdbath, a birdhouse and a hummingbird feeder.
• A path not only protects your grass, but it also provides a scenic route to show off the rest of your yard.  You can carve out a solid path and fill it with pebbles or sand or you can place stepping stones directly on your grass.
• There is nothing quite as peaceful and romantic as dimly-lit nature in the evening. Add mood lighting to your setting with tiki torches, solar-powered stakes or candlelit lanterns.