From an outdoor dining lounge with a barbecue station to a simple firepit and a snack bar, there's a lot you can do with the backyard area. If you feel like your home's backyard is underutilized and needs sprucing up, here are five ways to reclaim backyard space and turn it into an entertaining family space.
Backyard spaces are essentially an extension of your living premises. Unfortunately, some homeowners prefer to use backyards like open warehouses that stash away unwanted furniture and other household items. Luckily, homeowners have many options for transforming dull backyard spaces into a lively chill-out zone.
Clear Out the Clutter
The journey to transforming your backyard into a thrilling entertainment space starts with clearing out unwanted items. If you have old furniture lying in your backyard, consider disposing of or donating it to a charity organization. Give your outdoor spaces a thorough clean once the clutter is out the way. Consider power washing if the patios, walkways, or pavements leading to the backyard are heavily stained in grease or grime.
Retouch worn-out pavements using gravel or a cement finish. Trim overgrown grass and prune shrubs or trees to enhance curb appeal. Use detergent and other household cleaning tools to wipe down your outdoor furniture sets. Starting your backyard transformation on a clean slate gives you more freedom in the design phase.
Introduce Recreation Games in your Backyard
Turning your backyard into an outdoor game yard can be a welcome relief if you have kids. Lighten up dull backyard spaces by adding a table tennis court or a backyard camping workshop. Your kids will also love having an inflatable pool where they can practice awesome water games. Singles and married couples without children can also revitalize backyard spaces using fun adult yard games. Cornhole games are particularly popular with people of all ages. Pool tables, chess, ladder, and ring toss are other excellent options for introducing recreation activities in your home.
Fireplace and Outdoor Lounging
Keep your backyard entertainment zone nice and simple by introducing a central fireplace and outdoor seating amenities. A fire pit can be a convenient backyard amenity for relaxing evening catchups with friends and family. You can build stunning outdoor fireplaces with natural materials without breaking the bank. Below are some top dos and don'ts when setting up a backyard fireplace.
It's essential to confirm your local authority or home association guidelines on fireplace construction, suitable materials, and possible fuel types. Firepits pose a high risk of fire outbreaks hence the need to review municipality policies and tenant-landlord agreements to ensure you are not flouting firepit guidelines. Prioritize accessibility and convenience when selecting a fireplace location. American state laws recommend firepits widths of between 35 and 45 inches and a height of 12 to 20 inches. Build your fireplace on an even patch of ground in an open space. The firepit should be at least 15 feet from buildings and fences and away from nearby bushes and trees.
Get creative with your material selection by exploring natural stone, concrete, bricks, and recycled materials. Use fireproof materials for adjacent firepit areas. Steer clear of water-absorbing materials due to the risk of steam-related injuries. Consider having a dedicated fuel supply station when using propane or gas. If possible, request your local gas company to install the gas supply line. When constructing wood-burning fireplaces, ensure you have fire extinguishing equipment on standby to neutralize sparks and embers.
Installing a Mixed Materials Outdoor Kitchen
Spruce up your unused backyard by installing a simple outdoor kitchen with dedicated seating and a barbecue area. Introduce a conventional bar dining setup with a few extra seats for whenever you have guests. For your outdoor cooking needs, consider installing a BBQ grill and smoker, pizza oven, and an outdoor refrigerator to ensure you never run out of cold beer or soda. Give your backyard kitchen a modern and classy look by adopting a mixed-materials design incorporating layered bricks, natural stone countertops, and wooden flooring.
Add Ambiance using Lanterns and Outdoor Lighting
Whether you are preparing for a romantic dinner or a casual neighborhood sundown party, adding some lanterns to your backyard patios is a great way to set the mood for things to come. Lanterns and lampshades are excellent amenities for adding charm and intimacy in small-sized backyards.
Backyard Design Recap
Your home's backyard has potential and can serve many purposes if well designed. Like any other home project, backyard design should start with the demarcation of the backyard area to understand its layout and dimensions. From here, you can choose to add firepits, outdoor kitchens, ambient lighting, and patio furniture. The overall design and degree of transformation ultimately depend on budget and personal preferences.
