When it’s nice outside, where do you like to spend your time? Outside of course. Spending as much time outdoors as possible is a must during the summertime season. With these tips and tricks, you can turn your backyard into a peaceful sanctuary. Transform your yard from drab to fab and allow it to become a place to escape, unwind, relax, and have fun.
These ten steps will help you create a backyard sanctuary in no time:
Step One: Clear the Clutter A space with too much in it will make it feel claustrophobic. Rethink your yard. For example, take note of what you use, what sits there, and so on. Get rid of overgrown trees, bushes, and hedges. Put your children’s toys in a specific section of the yard or donate the equipment they no longer use. When you’re creating a backyard sanctuary, the first step must be clearing the clutter. Starting with a clean or bare slate makes the process that much easier.
Step Two: Choose a theme or style When designing any space, it is necessary to choose a theme or aesthetic for the area. These set the tone and can help you decide what furniture to get, what colors to use, and much more. Some themes to consider are coastal (beachy), contemporary, country, eclectic, rustic, modern, traditional, transitional, etc.
Step Three: Choose an Area Rug We recommend that you choose a rug when you start the design process. Whether you desire a neutral textured rug or a bold, colorful pattern, the carpet can help define your palette for the rest of the space and decorations.
Step Four: Cultivate a Garden Adding a garden to your outdoor space is not only practical but visually appealing as well. It will keep the air extra fresh, give you items to cook with, and make the area feel more private and inviting (build a plant privacy wall).
Step Five: Choose your Furniture Choosing the perfect furniture for any space is a lot of pressure. Having a defined theme and an idea of the colors you want to use helps relieve part of this stress. When choosing the right furniture, think about comfort first (no one wants to sit outside in uncomfortable seating), followed by durability and style.
Step Six: Make it Shady When the sun is beating directly on you, it can make sitting outside completely unbearable. Consider the idea of having part of your space in the shade so that people have a place to run to when the sun is becoming too much. Use patio umbrellas, gazebos, pergolas, arbors, awnings, trees, or shrubs to achieve this shady oasis.
Step Seven: Add Fire A simple design touch that amps up your outdoor space is a fire pit. It can be used for roasting food in the warmer days and allows you to continue utilizing the space once it gets colder out. A fire pit also adds another area for relaxation in your yard whether you’re alone, with friends or family, or cuddled up with a partner.
Step Seven: Add a Bar or Outdoor Kitchen Having a little space to hold your food and drink can really transform your backyard into the sanctuary you have always dreamed about. When designing the bar or kitchen, remember this portion is about convenience and looks. Choose a grill, add a countertop for food prep, and consider adding a refrigerator and sink if the space allows.
Step Eight: Light it up (Outdoor Lighting) The right lighting depends on the theme you chose and the specific area that you are lighting. If you are going for romantic and whimsical- try string lights. For the kitchen and bar section, you’ll need task lighting, so it’s easy to see while grilling and working. For seating areas, you may want candles, mounted downlights, or electric lamps.
Step Nine: Add Cute Decorative Touches A huge part of design is the placement of the decor. Adding simple decorative touches throughout your space can change the whole feel of the yard. You can get a water feature like a pond, pool, fountain, or bird bath since the sight and sound of water are very calming. Or, you can add a cute hammock to relax in. Hammocks are an easy and affordable feature to a space and can be elevated with cute throw pillows or a cushion.
Step Ten: Add Gaming Space Complete your backyard sanctuary with some lawn games like croquet, bocce ball, ladder ball, horseshoes, KanJam, cornhole, etc. Playing games helps you and your guests relax and unwind.
Thinking about creating your very own backyard sanctuary but not sure where to start? Contact Decorating Den Interiors- Angie Lowry to help you get started. We pride ourselves on working collaboratively with our clients to find the perfect products that satisfy their design style and budget. Contact us today at 757-356-0082 for a complimentary design consultation.
