Ojai’s favorable climate allows residents to enjoy outdoor living in every season, which we have all been taking advantage of even more over the last few years. This has led to a trend towards improving outdoor living areas and maximizing space to get the most out of our backyards. If you have done all you can to expand your patio, repurpose your lawn area, and take advantage of every inch of your backyard but still have more you would like to add or upgrade, it might be time to take a look at those long, narrow side yards on either side of your house.

Side yards are often considered too small to use for much more than storing waste bins or yard tools, but, with a little inspiration, you can transform one or both of your side yards into usable space to serve you or your family better.

Here are seven ways to make your side yards more functional and maximize your home’s outdoor space.

Toy Storage – Pool toys, dog toys, backyard games, and children's toys all need to be stored somewhere when not in use. Adding some outdoor shelving units or deck boxes to your side yard is an easy, affordable way to create out-of-the-way storage for items frequently used in your backyard. This will clean up your pool area, patio, or wherever you are currently storing them and allow that space to be put to better use.

Horseshoe Pit – If your side yard is long enough for a horseshoe pit, this is a great spot to tuck one away, since this type of backyard feature is usually used only infrequently during social gatherings. This way, you have a permanent horseshoe pit that is always ready for action but is not taking up valuable space in your main outdoor living areas.

Bocce Court – Most side yards are not large enough to accommodate a 90-foot-long and 13-foot-wide regulation bocce court or even the 60 feet by 12 feet recommended for backyard options, but you can go as small as 20 feet by six feet and still have a functional court.

Play Area – If your kitchen, office, or another room where you spend lots of time has a window overlooking the side yard, this extra space might make a good play area.

Dog Run – If it is not an ideal area for your kids to play, it still might work nicely for your dogs. Side yards are perfect for out-of-the-way dog runs where your dogs can safely be outside when you are at work or entertaining guests in your outdoor living areas.

Cutting Garden or Shade Garden – If your side yard gets good sun, you can beautify this space and make it functional by planting a cutting garden to create fresh flower bouquets for your home. If it does not receive good sun, consider planting a shade garden filled with colorful plants that thrive in the narrow space between your house and your fence.  

Seating Area – Create a cozy seating area in your side yard for reading, enjoying your morning coffee, or providing a spot to find some peace and quiet during social gatherings.

If your side yard transformation requires plants, patio furniture, flowerpots, or professional installation, support the local economy by using local contractors and buying from locally owned shops.

According to a handful of studies I looked at before writing this, somewhere between 80% and 90% of New Years resolutions are abandoned shortly after making them. This is often due to goals being too ambitious, too vague, too much of a departure from our current lifestyles and interests, depriving us of something we really enjoy, or too focused on achieving a particular goal rather than improving our lives by increasing or reducing behaviors.

Life is difficult enough without us being hard on ourselves or setting ourselves up for failure by establishing unrealistic goals. So, this year, maybe we should all consider focusing more on progress than perfection, setting intentions instead of rigid goals, and sticking with resolutions that we can keep and that will improve our lives, health, or community involvement at least a little.

One of the key components in making resolutions you can keep is making them measurable and being specific. For example, instead of a vague goal like “I am going to walk more,” try something you can easily quantify like, “I am going to walk three additional miles each week.”

Secondly, your goals are going to be easier to achieve if they help you live in line with your values. As I mentioned in last year’s New Year column, one thing that many of us gained in the pandemic is clarity regarding our priorities. We now have a better understanding of what is important to us and deserves our energy. If your resolutions help you live in line with these values, they will be easier and more satisfying to accomplish.

Something else that will help you keep your resolutions this year is building on goals you are already achieving. An example would be expanding the water-saving efforts you have already fully incorporated into your life to gently push yourself to up your water-conservation game even more. This might include adding another rain barrel to your gutter system, expanding your drip system, or reducing your family’s meat consumption.

Whatever you choose for your resolutions this year, remember to be kind to yourself, grateful for the loved ones in your life, and committed to making time for self-care.

Here’s to the new year! May it bring you peace, joy, love, and prosperity however you define each of those.

Your front porch is the space where you shrug off the outside world before entering your sanctuary, where you send your family off with well wishes for the day, and where you welcome guests to your home. How this space looks influences the first impression your neighbors and guests have of your home and lets them know what they can expect to find inside.
 
Most folks want their homes to be welcoming and inviting. If this is your goal, your front porch is the ideal place to start. Here are five ways you can freshen the look of your front porch to start the new year off right.
 
1. Paint Your Front Door
 
Painting your front door is an easy, affordable way to instantly increase your home’s curb appeal and add a fun pop of color to liven up your home’s façade. You might simply choose your favorite color for your front door, or you might want to do a little research to find the perfect color based on current trends, historic trends, or feng shui principles. For example, in Early American tradition, a red door was a symbol of hospitality to welcome people into your home. If inspired by feng shui principles, a red door would represent the element of fire and might be chosen for good luck and protection.
 
2. Wash the Windows
 
If you are looking for an even more affordable way to freshen the look of your front porch, wash the windows. It is amazing what a difference clean windows can make.
 
3. Clear the Clutter
 
If your porch has become a catch-all for work boots, sporting equipment, dog leashes, or toys, you can easily improve the look of your front entry by clearing the clutter. If you do not have anywhere else to conveniently store these oft-used items, create some simple storage solutions to keep them organized. Even muddy work boots look more organized if they are sitting on a boot tray by the front door.
 
4. Replace Your Porch Light
 
If you have not replaced your porch light in the last decade, this small home improvement project is a quick way to update the look of your home. This task is best completed by a professional, so hire a local electrician for this one.
 
5. Add Seating
 
Even a small porch likely has room for some type of seating. A small bistro set, a bench, or even a stool provides a spot to take off your shoes, set packages, or enjoy your morning coffee. Having some type of seating on your porch also creates a more welcoming space to invite neighbors and guests into your home.