One of the best ways to relax during the beautiful, warm summer months is to unwind in your beautiful backyard. But first, you need to design an outdoor space that is functional and stylish. Many homeowners focus just as much time designing their outdoor space as they do with their indoor space. There are plenty of ways to turn a regular yard into a comfortable, relaxing oasis, where you can BBQ and have gatherings with friends and family.

If you're not sure where and how to start decorating your yard, pick up an interior design magazine. There are many available at your local bookstore, including several that are exclusively written for homeowners wanting to spruce up their yards. Before you start making purchases, its important to set a realistic budget and stick within it. Exterior design doesn't need to be expensive. You can get creative and completely transform a back yard with just a little bit of imagination and elbow grease.

One of the most common ways to beautify your yard is to pick out the perfect designer outdoor furniture. There are tons of different options to choose from, depending on what kind of theme and atmosphere you are trying to create. Consider whether you want to buy plastic pieces, iron, wood or something different altogether. Plastic outdoor furniture is usually the most cost effective kind, however they can break easily and they might not offer the comfort you are looking for. If you plan on spending a ton of time outside in your yard, you will want designer outdoor furniture that is comfortable to relax in.

You will also need to decide whether you want a full patio set or whether you would prefer pieces such as outdoor sofas. To choose the right pieces, you'll need to determine what you'll be using our outdoor space for. Are you planning for a lot of outdoor BBQing and dinner in the yard? Or do you think you'll mostly be spending your time reading a book in the sun? If you plan to have friends over, you'll want to buy a variety of seating so that your guests have somewhere to relax while visiting.

Beyond outdoor furniture, you can completely transform a backyard by selecting the right shrubs, greenery and flowers. Perhaps you can start a vegetable garden or a flower garden. If you're looking for a bit of shade in your yard, you may want to plant a large tree. Trees are a great way to add a bit of privacy from your neighbours as well. Stone patios and paths have become popular in recent years, and are a great way of adding a bit of rustic charm. You can even play around with the outdoor lighting by adding mini solar lights to illuminate the path.

Designing the exterior of your home can be just as fun and rewarding as picking out the perfect colours and fabrics for the interior of your home. Buy an interior design magazine that highlights how to create a stylish backyard and start drafting up a plan for the perfect outdoor oasis in your yard.