During the summer people are often more observant of their neighbor’s yard and of the yards they see as they drive to work or walk through the neighborhood. You can make your yard the one that catches the eye of those who pass by. Having a lively yard as the first thing you see when you arrive home can lift your spirit regardless of how stressful your day has been. The following ideas can help you transform your yard from mundane to marvelous, dull to dazzling and from ordinary to extraordinary.

Add a structure
Adding a gazebo, pergola, trellis or arbor to your yard will open up a multitude of decorative opportunities. The addition of lighting, plants and flowers will perk up your landscape design.

Statues
Garden statues or large bird baths can be added to your lawn to create an instant focal point. A spotlight directed toward the statue will make your landscape dazzle at night.

Flowers
Strategic planning can determine how spectacular your display of flowers is. White flowers or shrubs that have white blossoms make a nice background for all of the colorful flowers you select for your yard. Layering flowers according to height and choosing varieties with different bloom times can keep your yard looking colorful well into autumn.

Foliage
Foliage in a variety of shapes, textures and color can also beautify your yard. Sunlight shining through feathery grass is quite stunning. The swaying of ornamental grass can be a mesmerizing feature in your yard.

Be unique
Check out the glow in the dark planters at http://www.awesomeinventions.com/cheap-and-cheerful-backyard-idea/. Adding those to your yard would certain catch the eye of anyone passing by at night.

Illumination
Add various types of lighting to your yard. Rope lighting is great for a walkway or to outline a flower bed.

Fence
Incorporate some decorative fencing into your landscape design. Add sconce lighting or some hanging baskets to it to enhance its beauty.

Reflection
You can include mirrors or glass stones in your yard and let the sunlight dance around in your yard. Outdoor lighting can also be reflected off of properly placed mirrors.

Movement
Including items such as flags and windchimes will add continual motion to your yard and keep your landscape lively.

Water feature
Adding a water feature with illumination in your yard is an ideal way to take our yard from dull to dazzling.