If sheltering in place has left you feeling stuck inside four walls, it’s time to get outside. To protect your sanity and give your clan a fun spot to hang out in the great outdoors, consider the suggestions below to make sure you’ve got all the space and comfort you need.
Lighting
Read More »Water Feature
You can great a fun water feature that will provide you with the soothing sound of water and a spot to add unique water plants to your garden. If you have the space, dig out a spot deep enough for a kiddie pool. Add rocks to the outer edge, a floating solar fountain to cycle the water and some water plants. At the end of the season, let the pool dry out after farming out the plants to another water gardener. Pull the pool out of the hole, as it probably won’t last the winter. Add sand and gravel to the bottom and you’ve got a fire pit for the fall.
Put Your DIY Skills to Work
Keep an eye out for second-hand outdoor furniture as many people are decluttering and clearing out storage units. If you have something you already own that you can re-purpose, do so. Add a coat of paint to get new to you pieces to match your decor and stitch up some new cushions. You now have a lovely spot for your family to gather in the cool of the evening.
Invest In A Hot Soaking Tub
While there are many things you can do to your backyard on a budget, be sure to spend what you need to for your spa and hot tub. These tools are ideal for anyone seeking better health, a relaxing soak or a treatment for sore muscles. Be aware that the process of moving a used hot tub can be heavy, awkward and destructive to the structure of the tub. Buying new could be a much better deal. In addition, reviews indicate that old hot tubs can be extremely heavy.
Be aware that hooking up your spa may take the help of an electrician and a plumber. Again, don’t skimp. You should be shopping around for the best price for the install, but water and electricity is a combination you want to get right the first time. Making sure your tub isn’t leaking can save you a lot of home repair bills in the future.
Flooring
Consider defining your backyard retreat with an outdoor rug or a painted floor cloth. Both of these items could be put out just for special celebrations and rolled back up at the end of the night. When cleaning your rug, just lay it out on clean grass and spray it down with water. Let it dry fully, roll it up and store it.
DIY or Buy Used
There are a lot of things you can DIY in your backyard. Do go to the trouble of investing in some affordable, comfortable and fully supportive chairs for you backyard oasis. When deciding what to buy, carefully consider any elderly guests you may invite. A lot of patio or portable seating is
- low
- tippy
- unsupportive
- hard to get out of
If your parents or older family members will be joining you for any special outdoor events, make sure they’ll have access to a chair they can easily get out of without risk of a fall.
Consider also investing in portable tables to work directly with these chairs. If you don’t have the space for a tray table, make sure you have small tables available to balance drinks or small plates while guests eat. If you have a picnic table for the kids, be aware that older folks may not be able to easily get off of a picnic bench.
