We've probably all spent more time around the home than is ever usual, so it's very important to make the most of the environment we live in.

Unsurprisingly, therefore, many backyards are receiving a lot of attention to make them the best they can be.

And work that's carried out now will continue to pay rich dividends, and add value to your home, long after things are back to normal, which hopefully isn't too long away now.

With all this in mind, here are some suggestions of ways to enhance your backyard:

New furniture - Your backyard's overall appearance can get a real lift from well designed, stylish and long lasting furniture.

Decks - A deck gives you extra living space and a superb opportunity to get more fresh air in comfort. And remember that it can also add value to your property when you sell, as well as creating another feature that will be of wide appeal to buyers. And what better platform can there be to host all those future events we've been missing with family and friends.

Firepits - An area like ours faciltates almost year-round possibilities for using a firepit. It's a wonderful central feature encouraging everyone to enjoy the great outdoors after dark.

Built-in grills - These are another very attractive feature for buyers. More immediately, however, they offer so much potential for living and eating outside.

Professional landscaping - Another great way of adding value to your home and simultaneously making it so much more enjoyable. The better your backyard looks, the more you're likely to want to spend as much time in it as you can.

Great lighting - With a simply huge range of outdoor lighting to choose from these days, you can create just the right look and mood and also improve safety and security.

Ponds - Backyard ponds offer a wealth of benefits. They attract wildlife, and offer a wonderful sustaining environment for so many species. They can also offer water conservation options and reduce the need for mowing. A waterfall can be particularly relaxing and calming and will also help to mask any noise pollution in your area.

A pergola - What a stunning looking feature a pergola can be. Apart from making an exceptional design statement in your backyard, it's also very practical too, adding to living/entertainment space and offering sufficient sun shade to make very warm weather far more tolerable. Attractive covers add greatly to the aesthetic possibilities, providing even more shade!

Awnings - Let's face it, there can be times in the summer when it's difficult to be outside. Install awnings, however, and it's reckoned that they can elminate as much as 98% of the sun's harmful rays and offer inviting cool shade. Pets tend to love them as well. And, when strategically located, awnings can also offer year-round energy cost savings, reducing the amount of internal air conditioning needed in warm weather and, should you choose retractable awnings, letting in more sun in colder months.

Swimming pools - Quite clearly, it's a big financial decision to install a pool (including ongoing maintenance), but the benefits can be equally great, including providing a focal point for outside entertainment, improved fitness levels and, if excellently maintained, an irresistible advantage over other properties in the eyes of many buyers.