Items That Are Making Your Backyard Look Tacky

A well-designed backyard is a natural sanctuary. It can provide tranquility, privacy, and endless outdoor entertainment when the weather is pleasant. While this outdoor space can be a haven, it can also look like a tacky dump if what you keep in it is poorly arranged and the space shabbily decorated. One great way to improve an outdoor space is knowing what items to avoid and remove to ensure it looks its best.

Some things that make your backyard look tacky include broken furniture, stained cushions and pillows, and rusted swings. Neglected sheds and other structures are an eyesore, as is general clutter and overgrown plants. Avoid overdecorating, as it can look messy, and purchase quality statues and astroturf to avoid cheapening your yard’s aesthetic. Avoid clashing aesthetics, and remember that sometimes less is more when decorating.

Your backyard should be a place that you cherish and enjoy regularly. Unfortunately, these spaces often become neglected and underutilized. If you’re committed to giving your backyard a refresh, then the best place to start is to gett rid of items that make it look worse. Keep reading to learn more about common items that can make your yard look tacky.

13 Items That Can Make Your Backyard Look Tacky

1. Plastic Statues

Statues can serve several functions in a yard. For one, they can add whimsical charm to a garden and help your yard look great in winter, when no plants are blooming. Predator statues can help scare away garden pests. But, cheap plastic statues might look okay on a store shelf, but they will likely deteriorate quickly when outside. Plastic breaks down in natural elements, and the statue will crack, and the paint will chip off. Instead of buying cheap plastic statues, opt for long-lasting stone sculptures. They cost more initially, but will last much longer, and look a lot better.

2. Broken And Worn Furniture

Outdoor furniture is expensive, so it makes sense to extend the lifespan of your existing patio set and outdoor chairs as long as possible. Once your furniture starts breaking and showing noticeable wear, its shabby appearance cheapens your yard’s overall look. Broken furniture must be repaired or removed promptly. If your furniture looks dull and outdated, consider giving it a fresh coat of paint or re-staining it. Repairing old outdoor furniture can help it look new again, and greatly improve the appearance of your yard.

3. Stained And Old Umbrellas

Outdoor umbrellas are one of the best ways to increase shade in your yard. It is also one accessory that people tend to keep longer than they should. An outdoor umbrella is large and often expensive, so it makes sense you’d want to keep these sun-blockers as long as possible. Some signs your umbrella needs to be replaced include mold, sun damage, or noticeable rips or holes in the fabric. If your umbrella looks like trash, it’s time to throw it out and buy a new one.

4. Rusted Swings And Old Playscapes

If your children are in high school but their old swingset or jungle gym is still rusting away in the backyard, it's a big red flag. While these at-home playgrounds are incredibly useful when you have young children, they will eventually outgrow them. If your family no longer has use for a swing or playscape, consider donating it. The sooner you donate it, the more likely it will find a family who needs it. It will also free up space in your yard and help it look tidier.

5. Gaudy Or Oversized Water Features

Water features can be great. Artificial rivers and fountains attract exotic birds, and they can even mute street noise. While these outdoor water installations have notable benefits, you must choose the right one for your outdoor space. Avoid purchasing a gaudy or giant water feature, especially if you have a small yard. Instead, opt for a tasteful fountain or lazy river that fits your space without overwhelming it. A water feature should add to your yard, not overwhelm it.

6. Neglected Sheds

Sheds are outdoor structures that require maintenance and upkeep, yet are frequently neglected. If you have a shed that’s rusty, sagging, and falling apart, then take action. A dilapidated out-building is an eyesore that will make even a well-kept yard look dumpy. If your shed is in poor condition, do your best to repair it and restore it to its former glory. Alternatively, you can buy a new one and start maintaining it more regularly.

7. Faded Outdoor Cushions And Pillows

Most fabrics don’t last long outside. The elements can quickly destroy cushions and pillows left outside. Even outdoor fabrics have a shelf life. If you have pillows or cushions with sun damage, rips, or mold, it’s time to replace them. You can often find new pillow covers and cushions online at a reasonable price, and consider checking out end-of-season sales for great deals on new options. Refreshing outdoor cushions and pillows can go a long way in improving the look of your backyard.

8. Outdoor Clutter And Junk

One of the easiest ways to help your backyard look less tacky and unkept is to get rid of clutter and junk. Over time, you may have collected flower pots, garden tools, and perhaps you’ve stored large, useless items outside instead of bringing them to the dump. All this clutter is an eyesore, and it can even attract pests to your yard. Get rid of any junk in your backyard. Not only will this get rid of an eyesore, but it will free up valuable real estate for gardening or adding a tasteful decoration.

9. Cheap Astroturf 

If you have an area where grass doens’t grow, artificial grass is a great way to make a yard look great without grass. When shopping for artificial grass, however, avoid choosing the cheapest astroturf available. While many great types of artificial grass can fool the untrained eye, there are also versions that look like cheap green plastic. Low-quality astroturf is incredibly tacky and will make your yard look worse. Invest a little extra money to make astroturf less like plastic and more like grass.

10. Too Many Decorations 

When designing your outdoor space, remember the concept of “less is more.” It’s great to have a few decorations to add color and whimsy to your yard, but too many statues and wind chimes can look disorganized and messy. Opt for tasteful decorations that add subtle charm rather than dozens of objects that overwhelm the senses.

11. Clashing Aesthetics

In addition to scaling down your decorations, take the time to conceptualize the aesthetic you hope to achieve outside. If you want a beachy look, then don’t bring competing decorations into the yard. Find a universal theme or color palette. If you choose all your decorations at random, you’ll likely end up with conflicting styles, which will make your backyard look tacky.

12. Dirty Bird Bath

A bird bath is great for attracting beautiful birds and pollinators. It can also be a beautiful outdoor decoration, but only when properly cared for. Neglected bird baths harbor algae and mold and serve as breeding grounds for mosquito larvae. If left uncleaned, a birdbath looks more like a giant petri dish than a decoration. If you have a dirty bird bath, give it a deep clean. Once you get rid of all the filth, you should start cleaning and maintaining your bird bath regularly so it won't get out of hand again.

13. Overgrown Weeds

Weeds are the enemy of a manicured backyard. They can kill the plants you love, are difficult to eradicate, and make your yard look messy. If you don’t treat your yard for weeds and pull them regularly, then it will look like a wild field. Overgrown weeds look tacky, and also symbolize a lack of effort. Be diligent about weeding in your yard. The fewer overgrown weeds you have, the more classy your backyard will look.

Final Notes On Items That Make A Backyard Look Tacky

If you want to make your dumpy backyard look better quickly, first identify the elements that make it look dated and drab. Some items that contribute to the outdoor space looking tacky include broken furniture, old umbrellas, stained cushions and pillows, and dilapitated sheds. Avoid purchasing oversized and gaudy water features, and resist the urge to over-decorate. Keep weeds under control and remove clutter and junk stored in your yard.

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