A backyard of your dreams begins with imagination

Now that summer is upon, us, it's time to set our sights on the outdoors. Create a special place where you can soak up the sun, entertain or simply get away. Create the backyard of your dreams.

Screened porches are a perfect way to enjoy the out-doors from within. They can be run the entire length of the back wall or simply be tucked away in a quiet corner. Because they don't require walls, windows, wiring, plumbing or conventional foundations, there's no cheaper way to adding space to your home - they can be built for less than $25 a square foot.

Decorate your extended living room with wicker furniture and colorful mats. Accessorize with a collection of watering cans or antique gardening tools. Plants are a must and the more the merrier. At night, create atmosphere by lighting your oasis with wind protected oil-burning lamps.

A screened porch needs a view. It pays to invest in a backyard you like to look at. You don't need to spend a fortune. Like anything in the design world, it takes research, careful planning and imagination.

Treat your backyard as you would a room in your home. Measure the perimeter, and sketch the plan to scale on graph paper. One square equalling one foot is a good scale to use. Note which areas are shaded and which areas receive partial light, which receive direct sunlight. Make notes on your plan.

As you do when decorating your home, keep a file. Keep clippings of gardens you like, deck designs, garden furniture and accessories. When designing your outdoor retreat, include everything on your plan: the style and type of walkway, your deck even the various plants. If you're unsure of how to achieve the look that you want, consider hiring a landscape architect. They will design everything from decks and gazebos to brick patterns, walkways and, of course, the flora.

If, on the other hand, you're thinking small scale and simply want to make a few small changes, these projects may be for you:

Hide a wall: Have an unsightly exterior wall that needs hiding? Consider using a trellis. Either cover the entire wall or create trellis panels. Paint them a complementary color to your home or the traditional white. Strategically hang hooked planters overflowing with blooming flowers for a fresh, airy look.

Or, stretch a grid of wire between two posts. Once vines grow and flower, only you will know what's underneath.

Give up on grass: If grass has a hard time growing do away with it all together. There are less permanent alternatives to the conventional grouted brick or slate paving tiles.

Loose grey and white pebbles can be spread throughout a defined area to create a relaxed atmosphere. Or, consider laying. brick in sand. You can experiment with different patterns. It's labor intensive, but not complicated.

Elegant entries: Make the entrance to your garden an unforgettable one. Build an arbor from a kit or have a carpenter build one for you. They resemble an archway and provide the perfect framework for climbing plants. No backyard or budget is too small to create some magic. You too could be enjoying those lazy, sunny days and starlit dinners.