Even if you don’t have a custom pool or even a patio area, your backyard can still be a great place to relax, especially now that summer is over and the weather has cooled down. There are tons of ways to maximize the space, regardless of your budget or timeframe.
From furniture to planters to fire pits, we’re here for you. Whether you have the largest backyard in Oklahoma or your backyard is barely big enough to fit the whole family, these are our ten favorite ways to take advantage of your space.
Create Shade
Even in the fall and winter, no one wants to be cooking in the sun while sitting outside. At the very least, everyone wants the option to sit in either sunlight or shade. Finding ways to create shade in your backyard can go a long way towards making it a fun, relaxing place to hang out.
Whether it’s planting new trees or shrubs to form natural shade, building a new awning, or simply picking up some outdoor umbrellas, shade is a great way to increase the appeal and utility of your backyard. As we all know, Oklahoma winters can be ice cold one day and as hot as summer the next; use shade to make either type of day work.
Maximize for Foot Traffic
Even in a smaller backyard, it’s likely that people are going to be walking around, visiting with each other, or running around playing games. Prepare your backyard for foot traffic before any gathering, whether it’s the neighbors coming over to watch the game or the entire family visiting for a reunion.
If you work hard on your lawn and don’t want it destroyed, there are great ways to wordlessly tell people where they should and shouldn’t walk, like laying down stones to form a casual walkway, or placing furniture in appropriate spots.
Seats Around the Edges
One great way to maximize your space, allow people to walk around and mingle, and create a welcoming environment is to be intentional with furniture. What do we mean? Well, it’s simple. A backyard is a versatile area, where kids will play, adults will chat, and others will even take naps from time to time in the right circumstances.
Placing your furniture around the perimeter allows guests to sit comfortably without worrying that they’re in the way or that someone’s going to knock over their plate of food and/or beverage. This is also a great way to make your backyard feel much more open and spacious.
Flexible Furniture
Speaking of furniture, the backyard is not only versatile but also flexible. We don’t mean bendy (though it could be bendy); we mean lightweight chairs and tables that can be moved as needed. Obviously, if you purchase an outdoor couch, it’s probably not going anywhere.
But there are a number of other options, from recliners to Adirondack chairs, that you should consider, especially if you plan on hosting guests this holiday season. Sitting outside on a nice, heavy rocking chair or couch is great, but so is being able to drag chairs from different areas into one space – or multiple spaces – to accommodate your guests.
Let There Be Fire
One of the biggest reasons you might want to have the ability to move seats around in the winter is the fire. Sitting outside by the fire, roasting marshmallows and cooking hot dogs almost never gets old.
Obviously, for the fire obsessed, you can talk to a contractor and discuss building an outdoor fire pit either with gas or manual functions, but for those with a lower budget or less time and/or patience, there are excellent alternatives, like chimineas and fire pits. Whatever you choose, a fire pit is great for the whole family (or just you, if you’re in the mood!).
Hidden Storage
Creating space and taking advantage of it also involves one of the less exciting elements of backyard renovation: storage. While it might not be the most fun aspect of your backyard, finding creative ways to store things like towels, sunscreen, firewood, and other items is one of the best ways to take advantage of the space.
We recommend looking for innocuous storage spaces, like benches that can open up and store towels, or a small plastic cabinet that looks nice enough but won’t get damaged by wind or rain (like most wood and metal can).
Night Lighting
A fire pit is only one way to light your backyard in the evenings, and building or adding ambient, relaxing light to otherwise dim or dark spaces creates space you might not have imagined. Hang string lights over the yard, place insect-repellent torches along the edge of the yard, or get solar-powered lights for the ground around your gardens.
Whatever works for your backyard will be great. Get creative and you can open up areas for guests that otherwise would remain unused at night-time gatherings.
Think of the Children
If you have children, especially younger ones, investing in your backyard space is incredibly worthwhile. Kids, as we all know, have tons of energy, and giving them an area where they can run and play with both each other and you will offer long-term, family fun.
You can add a playhouse or swing set, soccer goals and basketball hoops; whatever works for you, and whatever your kids are into.
Creative Seating
Okay, now it’s time to talk about the fun stuff. And when we say fun stuff, we mean the stuff that doesn’t have anything to do with your guests and everything to do with your own backyard experience.
Your backyard has the capacity to be an excellent place to relax and unwind either by yourself or with your family. With creative seating options like hammocks and recliners, you’ll want to spend more and more time outside reading in the nice, cool fall weather.
Make It Yours
Similarly to creative seating, our final recommendation is to simply get creative and build a backyard that you truly love and will use. Even the prettiest backyard in the world ends up being more work than it’s worth if there’s no way to use it.
You don’t have to buy a ton of chairs or patio furniture or anything to make it something you love. Cater your backyard to your needs, whether that means making it easier to host a hundred people or simply making it a pleasant spot to read and enjoy being outside.
For more information on backyard patio areas and how you can turn yours into a paradise, contact us today. We have plenty of information as well as the knowledge and expertise to help. Looking for more information but unsure where to start? Check out our free ebook to learn more!
