10 Great Ways to Create a Relaxing Ambience in Your Backyard
Your backyard should be an oasis, a subtle retreat from the cares of this world and the hustle and bustle of your everyday life.
Unfortunately for most, their backyard is something to maintain by regular mowing, fertilizing, and weeding. Some are so busy taking care of their yard that they never get around to letting their yard take care of them.
That’s why we created this list. Implement a few of the ideas on this page and you’ll find yourself in a sea of tranquility just beyond your back door.
1. Use Furniture
If all you have in your backyard is a broken down grill and a few lawn chairs, consider investing in some high-quality lawn furniture that you’ll enjoy sitting in. It shouldn’t run you more than a few hundred dollars, and it’ll create a place you’ll actually want to enjoy.
2. Add Color
Nothing says “bland” like a sea of concrete. Add a little color to your yard by adding different colored flowers in your planter boxes and placing outdoor pillows on your newly-purchased lawn furniture. Anything to break up the sea of green and gray in your backyard will do wonders to calm your nerves. If you’re looking for inspiration, check out these colorful yards.
3. Build a Kitchen
Avoid the fuss of having to carry your food outdoors to enjoy and build a kitchen right in your backyard, complete with grill, table, and mini-fridge. Add some serving spaces off to the side of your grill, and you should never have to run inside for anything. Adding an outdoor kitchen doesn’t have to be expensive, either. Simply add some brickwork to your grill and plug in the fridge and you’ll be good to go.
4. Create Some Privacy
Even if you have a high fence that surrounds your yard, add another layer of protection by building some vine walls or a pergola to keep prying eyes from looking into your area. You may not have nosy neighbors, but the feeling that no one can see you while you’re sipping your coffee will add another layer of comfort.
5. Draw Some Shade
Pergolas and awnings don’t only look nice, they also provide exceptional shading from the sun. They allow your guests to enjoy the benefits of a cooler space while still enjoying loads of natural light. Add a thin screen around the pergola itself to keep bugs from invading your space as well.
6. Erect a Fire Pit
If you love nothing more than a roaring fire late at night, consider building a fire pit in the center of your patio where you’ll be able to have a nice upward draft to let the smoke out. Not only can you use this to simply unwind after a long day, but you can even invite some friends over to roast marshmallows and enjoy the outdoors in the wintertime. If you want convenience, use a gas fire pit to fuel the fire instead of logs.
7. Soak in a Tub
Nothing says relaxation like your own personal hot tub. While some older models can be outrageously expensive and completely unreliable, most modern hot tubs maximize space and available seating to allow you to fit them in out-of-the-way spots. Furthermore, some hot tub designers will actually allow you to custom-make your own tub using preset specifications. It may not be cheap, but who can put a price on relaxation?
8. Make Your Own Light
If you have a pergola – or any kind of upright structure – consider stringing some lights along the ledges to illuminate the outdoor area. Chinese lanterns are nice year-round, but can also give you a nice reading space when it’s too pleasant to sit indoors.
9. Bring On the Technology
With automation making its way further into our homes by way of devices like Alexa and Siri, it only makes sense to utilize some of that into your outdoor space. Sync up a sound system with your device so that you can simply tell your device what kind of music to play.
10. Focus on the Amenities
A soothing water flow and candles can do wonders for your sense, so don’t be afraid to add on some smaller creature comforts to your outdoor space. Don’t overdo it or else you’ll overload your system, but a few of your favorite items added to your backyard can make it feel more like home.
