Even though it is freezing cold in our home state of Connecticut, we thought it would be appropriate to talk about some warmer month stuff to help everyone's seasonal depression! As many of you know, spending time outdoors is one of the best ways to enjoy the warmer months. But why settle for your basic backyard when you can transform it into the ultimate entertainment destination? With a little creativity, you can turn your backyard into a place where you'll want to spend all your free time. Here are a few tips to get you started.
Change Your Backyard Look & Layout
It can be tempting to try and make your backyard have EVERYTHING in it. And while that sounds great, to have a space that can act as a gathering area for big parties, or a pool party, or the house everyone goes for outdoor games, or the outside kitchen, or the place for sunbathing, or the shady spot where you.....see? There's just too much for any one backyard to have everything. So before you start thinking about what you need to create your ideal space, think about how you want to use it. Don't necessarily plan for the "maybe we'll use it THIS way" scenario, but rather think about how you will realistically use your space every day. You don't want to spend the time and money building out a huge pool with a grotto and a water slide and all these awesome things only to realize that you're retiring soon and the grand kids live across the country and will only visit every two years, and you don't go in pools unless you're having a party.
All that being said about pools, a water feature is a great way to create a focal point in your backyard. It can be something as simple as a small fountain or pond, or something more elaborate like a koi fish pond or waterfall. The sound of running water will add another level of relaxation to your backyard oasis. A smaller water feature really can fit in just about any backyard because where you put it, and the size, will determine its role in the whole space. If you want it to be THE focal point, it will be a place where your eye is drawn to it as soon as you walk outside. If it's more of a subtle feature you'll enjoy after you looked around a bit you might hide a small little stream into a tiny pond way off in the corner of your yard. It's up to you! But having a little water around is always nice.
Being outside in the yard is great when it's warm and sunny, so make sure you have some space that does get sun. But don't forget to add some shade, too. No one wants to spend time outdoors ONLY in direct sunlight. To make your backyard more inviting, add some shade so when it's too hot to be in the sun you've got another option other than "let's go back inside." And you can add shade to your yard in many ways.
There are plenty of umbrella options for backyards now. You can go with smaller umbrellas that come up through the middle of a table if you think people will be sitting around a table together. They also make the much larger umbrellas that can shade an entire patio if you've got a space with couches and chairs you're trying to protect from the sun. A pergola is a great option too, especially if you're handy and can build your own. They look great when you get some plants and vines growing on them, or you can string some lights across them to create a really cozy atmosphere at night. And you've always got the awning option, too. And if they seem like an old-school kind of thing, don't knock it until you've tried it, because they can be super convenient in the fact that they are away when you want the sun, and a push of a button brings shade to your entire patio area. Very nice when you've got bigger groups that need shade and sitting around a table isn't in the cards. Not only will this make your backyard more comfortable, it will also help protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Spruce Up Your Backyard Landscaping
Landscaping can offer many benefits in your backyard space, and we'll talk briefly about a few of them here. If you're looking to add some curb appeal to your home, one of the best places to start is with your landscaping. By carefully placing shrubs, flowers, and trees, you can create a stunning backyard that will be the envy of the neighborhood. Here are a few tips to get started.
First, take into account the size and shape of your yard. This will dictate how much space you have to work with and what types of plants will work best. Next, consider the amount of sunlight that your yard receives throughout the day. This will help you choose plants that are well-suited to your climate and won't become overgrown or leggy in the sun. Finally, don't be afraid to mix things up! Incorporating different textures, colors, and heights will give your landscaping an eye-catching dimensionality. With a little planning, you can achieve a beautiful backyard that you'll enjoy for years to come.
Landscape Yourself to Privacy
If you're looking for a natural way to create privacy in your backyard, trees and bushes are an ideal solution. Not only do they provide a physical barrier between your yard and your neighbor's, but they can also help to block out noise and reduce glare. When choosing plants for privacy, it's important to consider their mature size and growth pattern. Fast-growing trees may provide immediate privacy, but they will require more maintenance over time. If you have limited space, shrubs may be a better option. When planting, be sure to leave enough room for the roots to spread. Once your trees and bushes are established, you can enjoy your own private oasis in the comfort of your own backyard.
Gardens are Good
A backyard garden can provide many benefits for both you and the environment. For one, it can save you money on groceries, as you will have access to fresh fruits and vegetables right in your own yard. Gardening can also be a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors. In addition, growing your own food can help to reduce your carbon footprint, as the food miles associated with store-bought produce are significantly higher than those associated with home-grown produce. Of course, starting a garden can require some initial work, but the rewards are well worth the effort. With a little planning and care, you can soon be reaping the many benefits of having a garden in your backyard.
One of the best things you can do for your property is to plant fruit trees. Not only do they provide delicious fruits that you can enjoy, but they also have a number of benefits for the environment. For example, fruit trees help to improve air quality by producing oxygen and absorbing carbon dioxide. They also help to improve soil quality by adding organic matter and providing shade. In addition, fruit trees can provide homes for wildlife, help to control erosion, and even help to cool your home in the summer. So if you're looking for a way to improve your property and make it more enjoyable, planting fruit trees is a great option.
Decorate Your Space With New Furniture
You've got your landscaping set and your landscaping is looking fresh. Now let's talk about you, your family, and your friends being comfortable outside. We've discussed the importance of shade, which is super important, but what about lounging? Whether you're just grabbing a seat while eating some fresh BBQ off the grill or you're lying outside catching some rays, you need the right backyard furniture.
You've got a couple of different areas that may require furniture in your backyard, and we'll break them down into two main categories: deck/patio space and yard space. Each space requires slightly different furniture for maximum comfort and visual appeal.
The typical patio furniture set goes best on, you guessed it, a patio (or a deck). Some folks do put a standard table and chairs in the grass, and that can be fine, but you'll find you get more use out of that furniture if it's closer to the house and on even ground. So if you're doing the table and chairs setup, put those on your patio. You'll likely have better access to the shade, too, which will be nice when you're using the table for meals.
Outside sofas are great options for the patio or deck space too. A little more comfortable and relaxing than your standard patio chairs, and they work great for spaces where you'll be hanging out and lounging. They can be great around a fire pit as well. Get some comfortable all-weather pillows and get ready to be cozy with a nice drink and good company.
For the yard space, "furniture" may be a strong word, but you cannot go wrong with a hammock. Hammocks are one of those things that still kind of surprise you when you see one somewhere, but you're always excited because your immediate thought is "I want to sit in that." There are actually a number of different styles of hammock, from the woven, net-like hammocks to the thin but strong fabric kinds, so you'll need to look at the rest of your style to pick the right one. Some hammocks come with stands, some attach to trees, and that will depend on what sort of tree options you have in your yard and how much space you're willing to dedicate to this awesome piece of "furniture." Whichever you choose, you've got to get a hammock for that ultimate relaxing afternoon nap.
How to Use Your Awesome New Backyard Area
This touches back to the Look and Layout section because the way you plan to use your yard should drive all other aspects of your project. We'll go over a few of our favorite ways to enjoy your yard space here and maybe one of them will speak to you!
Create Your Own Gaming Area
An outdoor game area is great if you have kids and you're trying to get them to play outside more often, but it's also awesome if you just like to host parties or holidays with your friends and family. For the kids, it can be as simple as designating a space for games like hopscotch or four square, or you can do something simple like setting up a swing-set. Not exactly a "game" per se, but it's fun, so it counts!
If you have the space, you could set up a more complex system with different areas for different activities. For example, you might have a badminton net set up in one area and a croquet set in another. If you're really feeling ambitious, you could even build a sandpit for horseshoes, or get a designated area for any of the outdoor "throwing" games like cornhole or ladder ball.
Cornhole is a great way to spend time with family and friends while spending time outdoors. But, in order to play cornhole, you need a designated cornhole area in your backyard. To set up a the area, first, you need to find a level spot in your yard. Then, you need to mark off two parallel lines that are 27 feet apart. This is the official cornhole distance. To make the lines, you can use string, chalk, or tape. Once you have your lines marked off, it's time to set up your cornhole boards. Each cornhole board should be placed at the end of one of the lines, perpendicular to the line. Finally, make sure you have some bags ready to go. That's all there is to it! Now you're ready to play cornhole.
Depending on your yard size you may be able to set up a space for whiffle ball, or volleyball, get a soccer net up, or create some simple end zones for football games. You've got a million options really, but if you've got the space for it, it's nice to have a designated game area in your outdoor oasis.
Create an Outdoor Kitchen
This one may divide the crowd, but we love outdoor kitchens. It definitely depends on where you live. If you get a lot of bad weather then you probably won't be cooking outside very often and the outdoor kitchen becomes unnecessary. But if you get good weather through a good chunk of the year and you like spending time outside, it may be worth it to have more than a grill outside. Having a fridge to access without going back into the house is great. Getting an outdoor sink it super helpful when using your BBQ because you can wash and prep veggies outside, do some simple cleanup while you're cooking, etc. Not having to bring food outside to cook and then dirty dishes back inside to wash is really nice.
The built-in grills look absolutely fantastic too, and can really make your yard and outdoor kitchen look amazing. If you're really going crazy, they make outdoor pizza ovens that an integrate right into your outdoor kitchen. If you're trying to make friends, an outdoor pizza oven will definitely do it for you.
How About an Outdoor TV
The last main consideration we have for you is the outdoor TV. Warmer weather is the perfect time to gather friends and family in your backyard for a casual get-together. And what could make your outdoor gathering even better than an outdoor television? Whether you're watching the big game or your favorite movie, an outdoor tv is a great way to bring the action outdoors. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an outdoor tv, such as screen size, resolution, brightness, and weather resistance. You'll also want to make sure that your tv has a durable stand or mount that can withstand the elements. With a little planning, you can enjoy all your favorite shows and movies from the comfort of your own backyard.
Get Ready To Use Your New Ultimate Backyard
With these tips, you'll be on your way to creating the ultimate backyard oasis in no time at all. By considering your intended usage for your yard, planning the look and layout you want, choosing the right landscaping, and buying the perfect furniture you can make your yard your favorite place "in" the house. Fresh air is the best and we don't get enough of it in our hectic, every-day lives. If you can find ways to allow you to complete what is typically an indoor task outdoors, you get all the benefits of being outside and enjoying the fresh air without the hassle of going inside and outside all the time. Your parties will be better, your children will love making memories in your yard, and you'll finally be able to relax in the space of your dreams.