This post is sponsored, but all of the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I know we still have a couple more weeks until summer officially begins, but I always feel like Memorial Day is the unofficial start to the summer season. I have been itching to clean up our yard and get it ready for the summertime. As I was listing all of the backyard projects I would like to complete this year I thought a dedicated post may be helpful to you all as well! So here are some things you can do to create the perfect summer-ready backyard!
1. Have A Dedicated Seating Area
This can either be a table and chairs if you enjoy eating meals outside or a few chairs around a fire pit for roasting marshmallows- whichever you prefer! Obviously, you’ll want to get the most out of your backyard so think about how you would enjoy it and what you might use most often to determine the design of the space. If you envision having a cup of coffee outside each morning or have a small space to work with, you could go with a café style table and chairs. If you like to entertain and grill and enjoy eating meals outside then you could opt for a dining table set-up. Having grown up in Washington state, I love the campfire vibe, myself, so I am planning on creating a space in our yard for a fire pit and several Adirondack chairs. I’m really looking forward to having a dedicated space in the backyard to sit and relax.
2. Add An Umbrella/Pergola For Shade
If your backyard isn’t surrounded by any trees, you will probably want to create your own shade by adding an umbrella or pergola for some relief from the sun. There a ton of gorgeous and affordable DIY pergola tutorials out there that we will be utilizing when the time comes.
3. Put In A Pool & Deck
Okay, this one sounds expensive, I know, but there are less pricey options available that still look incredible and are a bit more trendy than your typical inground pool. This is something me and Clayton have always wanted, but since we don’t have an extra $30,000 lying around we’ve had to think outside the box on this little dream. There are a few options we’ve come up with and I think we have finally decided on one. Our first idea was to cut off the top of a shipping container and bury it level with the ground. They are sturdy, deep, and inexpensive to buy, however, this would be more ideal for a yard that isn’t in town since a semi will need room to deliver it. The option that best suits our family is a stock tank pool. Though, not as deep as a shipping container, stock tank pools are still durable and there are endless ways to personalize them. I would love to build a small deck around ours so the kids can jump in. Brazilian Wood Depot has some great massaranduba decking options (along with flooring and siding) and a ton of insightful information regarding the installation process available on their site.
4. Ambiance
A must-have if you’re going for cozy vibes in the evening. I am obsessed with the look of bistro lights, but never figured out exactly how to hang them in our backyard until I stumbled upon this tutorial. You could also go with citronella candles, or tiki torches if you prefer how that looks and want the added benefit of keeping the bugs away.
5. Incorporate Low-Maintenance Plants
You can’t be summer-ready without any plants in your yard- especially a citronella plant if the mosquitos are an issue. We have never had any luck with our plants surviving, mostly because we have no idea how to care for them and really don’t have the time even if we did, so I definitely recommend low-maintenance plants. This would be cacti or some form of succulent for us. Obviously, you will need to check with a local nursery to determine what will grow/thrive best in your area.
6. Backyard Games
There are so many fun outdoor games to choose from now, so I’ve linked all the games down below that I already love or can’t wait to try out this summer. These would all make really great Father’s Day gifts too!
I’m hoping this post helped spark some ideas for you and your backyard this summer. If you are planning to give your yard a refresh for the upcoming season I would love to see your before & after pics!
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