❇️ Introduction
Turning your yard into the ultimate hangout spot requires creativity and effort. Hiring professionals for the job takes the burden off your shoulders and ensures everything is done right. It also reduces the risk of safety hazards, and even in worst-case scenarios, professionals carry insurance, so there’s no liability on you. Alternatively, if you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can also take some time out every day to work on yard-related projects. Within a few weeks, your outdoor space looks fresher and more welcoming than before. Whether you want to transform your backyard into a solo relaxation space or an open play area, you have come to the right place. This article by MPR Landscapes will walk you through the ideas you can use, along with the steps to take.
❇️ Outdoor Relaxation Spaces: A Modern Necessity
We’re now in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Being glued to screens—whether for work or leisure—is the norm. In an age like this, it’s easy to forget how therapeutic connecting with nature can be. It is scientifically proven that spending time with nature improves mental health, brain activity, cognitive function, blood pressure, and even physical activity. Humanity’s innate affinity for nature, as Edward O. Wilson describes in his book, The Biophilia Hypothesis, suggests that our connection to the natural world is deeply rooted in our biology. Hence, spending time with nature is not just enjoyable, but also crucial to living well.
❇️ 10 Ideas to Liven Up Your Backyard
Here are ten ways you can turn your backyard into your private purlieu.
1. Grow Your Own Veggies
It may seem daunting to grow your own vegetables if you have never done it before. However, it is actually a cathartic hobby that rewards you with fresher, healthier food. There is quite nothing like using your own home-grown greens in your meals when you invite friends over. It makes the meal or salad more special. Whether it’s carrots or cucumbers, using your own produce adds a personal touch to any meal. It may also spark more conversations related to the joy of growing food in your backyard!
2. Add Color To Your Backyard
A backyard without color can be seen as dull and undesirable. Who would want to spend time in a backyard that gives off negative vibes? This is why enhancing its vibrancy is important. It can make the space more inviting and pleasant. Here’s how you can add colors to your backyard in different ways:
⭕ Paint the Walls or Fences: Painting the fences and walls in your backyard offers protective and aesthetic benefits. It provides a shield against rain, sun rays, and wind, which reduces the likelihood of damage and rot. It also enhances your property’s curb appeal and increases its resale value.
⭕ Hang Painted Tires: Got an extra tire sitting in your yard? Paint it a lively color, such as yellow, orange, or red, and hang it on a wall. You can also plant cascading plants in it, which is a great way to utilize the space.
⭕ Glasswork Wind Chimes: Hanging glasswork wind chimes in your yard creates a calming atmosphere while enhancing its visual appeal. Their unique sound is also believed to offer feng shui benefits, such as boosting harmony and improving qi.
3. Incorporate Hardscaping Features
Hardscaping refers to the human-made elements that enhance a landscape’s functionality and overall aesthetics, such as:
⭕ A path of stepping stones
⭕ Water features (fountains and ponds)
⭕ Outdoor kitchens
⭕ Patios
⭕ Decks
⭕ Gazebos
⭕ Brick Fire Pit
⭕ Retaining Walls
These features increase your property’s curb appeal and perceived value but also make great backgrounds for photos with friends and family. When invested in strategically, you could also benefit from reduced upkeep costs. Hardscaping essentials like pavers and decks are easy to maintain and cost-effective, and they allow you to have a space where you can sit back, relax, and talk to your loved ones.
4. Seating Arrangement
No hangout spot is complete without a nice seating arrangement. Place comfortable outdoor sofas with a nice center table. You are more likely to spend time outdoors if you actually have a place to sit and enjoy nature’s company — or your family’s, if you’re having a gathering. It also makes your outdoor space more functional, not just something to look at. Common seating arrangements for a backyard include, but are not limited to, the following:
⭕ Rattan Couches: These are known for their durability and weather resistance, making them the perfect choice for outdoor use.
⭕ Aluminum Benches: These are lightweight, rust-resistant, and long-lasting. Their relative affordability and customization options make them a popular choice for gardens.
⭕ Seating Around a Fire Pit: Curved sofas or wooden chairs can be placed around a fire pit to create a nice spot for social interaction. Just make sure there is at least 4-5 feet of distance between them to ensure safety.
⭕ Hammocks: A fun way to spend time outdoors is napping, and what better place to nap than in a hammock? You can also catch up on some casual reading or simply take some time to enjoy the sounds of nature while lying in your hammock. It’s also easy to move and store them when winter comes.
5. Place Garden Ornaments Everywhere!
Adding decorative ornaments to your backyard can make it more interesting and beautiful. It also gives you the chance to be more creative and add a touch of personalization to your property’s outdoors. During the period when your plants become dormant, garden ornaments ensure your yard still looks interesting. Here are some ornaments you can add:
⭕ Fountain: Want to add a soothing touch to your garden? A fountain is the perfect choice. The sound and movement of running water create a sense of calmness that we often look for in nature. It may also attract birds, making your lawn more dynamic.
⭕ Bird Bath: Adding a bird bath is a good idea to improve the variety of birds you see in your backyard. Water attracts birds, including the ones that do not eat seeds, making your bird bath an essential gathering spot for local wildlife.
⭕ Garden Gnomes: These are small decorative figures (gnomes) made of plastic that are placed on a lawn. Typically 50-60 cm in height, gnomes have roots in European folklore, but in modern times, they are used as ornaments in the garden to enhance its aesthetic appeal. People often view them as a sign of good luck and prosperity.
⭕ Sculptures: Every well-maintained lawn needs a focal point, and that’s exactly what sculptures provide. They add beauty and personality to your lawn while also giving it a whimsical touch. While the most interesting sculptures may be human-sized, you don’t really need to get those if they are falling out of budget. Mini sculptures (such as garden gnomes) and abstract figures of small-to-medium size can also add to the overall harmony and visual appeal.
6. Keep Bugs Under Control
It’s no surprise that having bugs in your backyard can damage the plants, spread diseases, and in worst cases, trigger allergies and asthma. Now, that wouldn’t be an ideal spot for a hangout with friends! That’s why it’s so important to keep bugs under control.
To do so, start by getting rid of standing water to prevent it from becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Install outdoor fans to make it harder for flying bugs to settle. Moreover, you can plant natural repellents (like lavender, marigold, basil, etc.) to help deter insects.
7. Invest In Good Lighting
Adding good lighting to your backyard boosts the aesthetic appeal while also improving visibility, reducing the risk of accidents, and creating a more inviting look for visitors and guests. Lighting, when used strategically, can enhance the lawn’s most beautiful features, such as a pathway of stones, a cozy seating area, or the flowerbeds. It also helps set the mood for evening events or gatherings.
There are many lighting options in the market. If you choose LED lights and motion sensors, you will be choosing energy-efficient options. You can also install stair lights, pathway lights, or net lights to decorate for holidays or simply add to the ambiance.
8. Add Privacy and Security
If you like hosting many parties, game nights, or family dinners, adding privacy to your backyard should be a priority. It brings you unmatched peace of mind that no passerby or neighbor would intrude on your moments. Moreover, you make your guests more comfortable being themselves, so they won’t hesitate when laughing, dancing, or joking around. This makes your backyard’s ambiance more lively and boisterous. Here’s how you can add more privacy and security to your backyard:
⭕ Install a Fence: Install a wooden fence or a modern privacy screen around your backyard. It will help block unwanted attention and give your space a nice and secure touch.
⭕ Plant Trees on the Boundary: Planting tall grasses or fast-growing trees on the boundary of your property can help add a natural privacy barrier. It also helps reduce noise and keep your yard out of the view of passersby.
⭕ Add a Pergola or an Outdoor Curtain: By building pergolas or placing outdoor curtains around your seating arrangement outdoors, you can create a private and sheltered space for your loved ones.
9. Outdoor Kitchen and Bar
Hanging out with friends and family is incomplete without a good meal or drink. That’s why having an outdoor kitchen and bar helps. With these elements, you can easily host a casual Saturday game night with dinner or a proper birthday or Halloween party.
The outdoor kitchen and bar offer the ideal setup for grilling meat and mixing drinks, creating a more relaxed and fun ambiance. They usually include sinks, stoves, grills, worktop spaces, refrigerators, and a storage area.
10. Install a Porch Swing
A timeless addition to your backyard is a porch swing. It encourages you to spend time outdoors and adds charm and warmth to your property. You could have your morning coffee on the swing, chatting with your family, or simply sway by yourself, unwinding after a long day. This cozy swing attracts and engages people of all ages, whether children or grandparents. Here are the most common porch swings used on residential properties:
⭕ Bed Swing: It’s a large, mattress-like swing designed for relaxing or napping. Most bed swings installed on the porch can carry 2-3 adults.
⭕ Canopy Swing: Ever had a swing that doesn’t come with a built-in shade? On extreme temperature days, they become difficult to use. This is why a canopy swing is one of the more common choices. It comes with an overhead canopy that offers sunshade and protection. Some canopy swings are designed to hold two adults, whereas larger ones may be able to hold three adults at a time.
⭕ Swing Chair: This is a basket-shaped swing, usually made from wicker or rattan, that hangs from a ceiling. It’s a single-seater, but you can swing on it with a child, a pet, or a stuffed animal.
⭕ Traditional Porch Swing: This is a bench-style swing, usually made up of metal or wood, hanging by chains. Most traditional porch swings can hold up to 2 average-sized adults at a time.
Conclusion
To summarize, having an outdoor hangout spot is everyone’s dream. However, it takes creativity, time, and effort to set it all up. Hiring experts is an easy way to get the job done, but if you would rather do it yourself, the ideas are endless. You could grow your own veggies, plant trees or dense shrubs around the boundary of your backyard for more privacy, and place outdoor furniture for a comfortable seating arrangement. Adding a hammock or a porch swing will also add to your backyard’s charm and aesthetic, engaging guests of all ages. If you like to host gatherings, perhaps an outdoor kitchen and bar would make it more entertaining for you and your guests. Place garden ornaments around the yard to give it a pop of color! MPR Landscapes offers top-quality soft landscaping and hardscaping services to enhance your property’s curb appeal. If you want a team of licensed and trained landscapers to transform your backyard into the ultimate hangout point, feel free to get in touch with us. Rest assured, we’ve got you covered.
