When summer rolls around, it’s time to relax and enjoy the sunshine and great outdoors. While you may have big plans for road trips and activities, sometimes enjoying the season from the comfort of your own backyard is the way to go. There are countless ways you can customize your outdoor space, but summertime calls for something especially refreshing and fun. Not sure where to start? Never fear — here are three great ways backyard design can transform your backyard into the ultimate summer vacation spot.
Make a Splash
Summer brings on waves of heat and scorching sun rays, so adding a water feature to your yard is a great way to stay cool. Pools, ponds, creeks, waterfalls and fountains all bring a touch of natural beauty to your outdoor space while providing you and your loved ones with somewhere refreshing to play. Whether you go for an especially natural look with a manmade pond surrounded by lush greenery, a sculpted lazy river that runs from one end of the property to the other or a more traditional in-ground style pool, your backyard is sure to be the envy of the neighborhood.
Heat Things Up
Does anything say summer quite like a cookout? While it’s crucial to have some way to keep cool, it’s just as important to have a dedicated area for barbecues, grilling and summertime bonfires — if you have the space, consider adding an outdoor patio kitchen with a grill setup and plenty of seating for guests. If your style is more rustic, a fire pit is a totally customizable, crowd-pleasing way to go. No matter what you choose, always be sure to have ample fire protection and necessary safety equipment on hand, and plan for additional storage space if need be.
Bloom With Nature
Billowing ivy, towering sunflowers, flourishing vegetable gardens and trees ripe with seasonal fruits; summer is the time to enjoy the bounties of nature, and that means bringing your backyard to life with stunning natural flora. Depending on the amount of space you have, the possibilities are endless! You can spend the season growing a sunflower hut for picnics and reading, build garden beds for farming your own produce or line the property with tree saplings. Incorporating seasonal plants into your backyard does take time, so you may need to take a season to start preparing first. With plenty of time and planning, your backyard will be overflowing with plant life the following summer.
Summer is a time of fun, freedom and being outside in the sun. No matter what your ideal getaway is, you can easily bring the vacation home by transforming your backyard into the ultimate summer hangout. With the right design and landscaping, you can craft the ultimate outdoor space for parties, cookouts, games, family time and seasonal activities. Before making any major changes to your property, obtain permission from your city first; be sure to speak with your local official to obtain any permits you may need for your project at the beginning of the season.
