Use these eight tips to make your home the perfect summertime destination for entertainment and relaxation.
1. Add Lighting
Attractive outdoor lighting will give your patio an inviting and stylish look. There are several styles of lighting to choose from. Here are the most popular:
- String lights. String lights are affordable and lend your outdoor space a relaxed atmosphere.
- Landscape solar lights. These outdoor lights illuminate walkways and steps and help highlight attractive architectural elements around your home.
- Pendant lights. Outdoor hanging lighting will give your backyard a relaxing look and offer useful illumination.
2. Create Comfortable Seating
Your outdoor seats should be as comfortable and functional as your indoor furniture. Replace faded cushions with bold-colored alternatives. If your backyard is spacious, have a custom table and bench built. If your outdoor space is smaller, go for brightly colored, foldable seats or small benches. Add in some fun throw pillows for an extra dash of style.
3. Put Down a Rug
Outdoor rugs allow you to enjoy your backyard without shoes. If you’re working with a tight budget, transform an ordinary outdoor rug into a beautiful focal point with basic stenciling.
4. Use Nature for Privacy
Create natural screens with bushes or install prefab screens. You could also add a pergola for about $3,400 if you have the room. Additionally, consider curtains to dress up your pergola. Curtains will not only improve the looks of your outdoor space, but also create extra shade and privacy as well.
5. Build a Bar or Outdoor Kitchen
If you like to entertain, consider an outdoor kitchen and bar. An outdoor kitchen and bar will give your backyard a few handy tools like a sink, fridge and bottle storage area. If you can’t afford to build a kitchen and bar from scratch, renovate an old bar cart.
6. Hang Decorative Planters
Repurpose pots and old tires by adding some paint and using them to plant colorful flowers. Shutters and flower boxes will give your outdoor space an extra pop of color.
7. Design a Vibrant Garden
Grow easy-to-maintain vegetables, plants and flowers in a small garden. Container gardens will offer a flexible space that can expand or shrink depending on your needs.
8. Warm Up Near a Fire Pit
Set up a fire pit in your backyard to enjoy summer nights. A stylish chimenea or cast-iron fire pit is perfect for small gatherings. Want to try your hand at a DIY? Try one of these six fire pits you can make in a day.