If ever I go looking for my hearts desire again I wont look any further than my own backyard because if it isnt there I never really lost it to begin with Dorothy after her trip to the Land of Oz Anyone who has spent a glorious morning afternoon or evening surrounded by the lush green and quiet solitude of a well-designed backyard understands the profound wisdom that Dorothy shared with Glinda the good witch in The Wizard of Oz While many take their own backyard for granted home designers are seeing a renewed interest in making this part of the home even more inviting The design trend experts at Acme Brick have some ideas on how this can be accomplished Before embarking on the creation of an epic backyard it is important for the homeowner to decide on how this space will be used For example are there children in the family who need some entertainment space of their own Is the weather of the area conducive to outside dining and entertaining for most of the year Is gardening on this list of backyard amenities How big is the space The answers to these questions and others will help set priorities and direction for a stunning backyard This space will not only enhance the quality of life for the current residents but increase the value of the home if it is sold Grab Up Toto and Take a Fascinating Journey to Your Own Backyard There are hundreds of great design ideas for transforming a backyard into an oasis but here are 15 tips to get the creative juices flowing 1 Folding or Pivot Windows and Doors Bring the Outside In A breathtaking visit to the backyard starts with a seamless transition from inside to outside Folding doors and windows provide more flexibility and convenience so you can enjoy outdoor living at its finest said Lisa Keye of Acme Brick The bifold panels fold neatly and store indoors or outdoors to create the opening width you desire 2 Fire Features are Hotter Than Ever According to several design articles Fire pits can adapt to any space so whether you have a small or spacious backyard you can easily install this outdoor feature in your yard They are also a great way to create a warm and cozy feel in your outdoor space For small backyard ideas source tabletop fire pits because they feature smart space-saving design Homeowners and builders can get a look at some of the most popular fire features at the Acme Brick Tile Stone showrooms 3 Outdoors Kitchens Make Dining Al Fresco Meravigliosa During the late spring summer and even fall in some areas outdoor kitchens are one of the most popular additions to the backyard One designer noted With an outdoor kitchen entertaining friends will feel effortless since you can prepare and cook the food right in front of them instead of having to leave them outside A built-in island grill is the heart of an outdoor kitchen Most Acme Brick showrooms carry all the elements of a fully equipped outdoor kitchen access doors cabinets and of course the materials for the kitchen enclosure 4 Outdoor Bars and Entertainment Nooks As with outdoor kitchens an outdoor bar and entertainment area is a great way to spend a warm afternoon or night outside Whether this entertainment area is around a pool or a part of the patio the traditional look of brick enhances the relaxed feeling of an outside entertainment space said Keye of Acme Brick 5 Dont Forget the Kids Everyone can enjoy the backyard including the little ones With a little landscape planning and judicious placement of plants and other vegetation kids playground sets and playhouses can be added to the backyard without the usual clutter They will WANT to stay outside rather than in front of a computer screen 6 Water Features The Sound of Serenity Everyone needs to relax now and Zen and the soothing sound of running water from a fountain or other water feature can help make this a reality Adding a water feature surrounded by plants are the makings of pure bliss and this is a very popular trend 7 A Backyard with Good Taste That Also Tastes Good Nothing adds more to a meal that is cooked outside or inside than herbs vegetables and fruit that are grown in the backyard An edible garden can be a great conversation starter and a delicious addition to dinner Just make sure someone in the family has a green thumb 8 Good Fences Make Good Neighbors Those wooden fences with vertical boards are so 1960s Contemporary backyards are sporting cool fences that incorporate natural elements - brick or stone posts with rough-hewn wooden limbs or railroad ties which run horizontally Leaving a small space between the wood enhances the openness of the yard 9 Lights Camera Action There are few things more fun than having a movie screen in the backyard This can be accomplished by incorporating a simple white cement wall on a yard element and bringing out the video projector By day its a decorative wall and by night a functional and fun outdoor movie screen 10 Wash Away the Day with an Outdoor Shower More and more home designers are getting requests from clients for outdoor showers Its all a part of the back to nature trend Its also extremely refreshing Just make sure its placed in a secluded spot of the yard and there are some fresh towels nearby Other simple ideas that can help transform a backyard into an outdoor space everyone will love include 11 Yard Art and Oversized Sculptures This can be simple or complex and priced accordingly Either way it can enhance the mood of the yard 12 Multi-Levels with Brick Stairs and Pavers Backyards with different slopes can be transformed by building multiple levels connected by brick stairs Brick pavers can also be used for high-traffic areas 13 Multiple Potted Plants Flowers ferns herbs and vegetables in pots placed throughout the backyard offer another dash of color and they can be brought inside when it gets colder 14 A Patio with a Pergola Pergolas have been popular since Cleopatra was queen of denial and these simple structures offer a little shade in the summer months Brick pavers can be added for a more finished look 15 A Plant Potting Station A simple structure to house pots trowels small shovels and other gardening minutiae can be utilitarian and a conversation starter for the backyard of a gardener Using one or all of these ideas can help transform a dull backyard to one that even Dorothy and Toto would love Forget about the Yellow Brick Road just click here for directions to an epic backyard