The truth of the matter is that people are going to spend a lot more time at home than they bargained for. In the present climate, staying home is equal to staying safe. Regardless, it’s a good idea to make your home a haven of sorts. There are so many routes to take as far as all-around home improvement ideas go. But in this case, perhaps it’s time to make the space out back a lot more inviting. Besides the fact that the pandemic has most people grounded. Summer is upon us and there’s never been a better time to use your backyard.
Altogether, while spending a lot more time at home, the backyard can be a nice place to take a breather. If by any chance you are stumped for ideas to spruce up space, worry no more. There’s a lot of things you can do on your own, here’s five of them.
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Put in a Fire Pit
There’s something about a fire under the open sky that makes people gather.
Whether it’s night or day, a fire pit provides a great venue for people to assemble. The added advantage of being able to roast something over the flame makes it an even more comforting venture. With all these perks and more, it’s undoubtedly a great idea to put in a fire pit.
Even better is the fact that a DIY fire pit is a very inexpensive fixture as a whole. That’s mostly because the materials needed to build one of these are as cheap as they come.
If you want a fire pit to stay in your backyard for months, invest in something that will withstand the elements or get a cover to put over it when it isn’t in use.
Sure, you can simply lift one from a department store nearby, but DIYing has a certain flair to it. All in all, everything from the brick to the concrete used should not put you out up to $200. If you want to go for more ‘out there’ materials, things like flower pots, metal planters, and even some good old glass can do the trick.
On top of all this, you can equally play with size.
So, you don’t need to install a large fire pit if you haven’t got the space. Most modern fire pits are nice and portable. You can probably even find the materials to make them readily around the home. All in all, there are so many fire pit ideas that you can try out.
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Install a Hot Tub
You may be wondering how easy this is going to be considering the heating element.
But, you’ll equally be glad to know that it doesn’t take an army to build and install a hot tub in your backyard. It also helps that it’s incredibly easy on the pockets. Considering the fact that on an average, a hot tub will set you back about $4,000-$8,500, it’s not a bad idea to do it yourself. The cherry on the top here is that you can actually rely on your personal style here to build the hot tub of your dreams.
A really good idea is going for a hot tub that relies on solar energy as it’s heating element.
That way, you don’t have to bother with all the intricacies that come with finding a heat source. Even more, you can go the repurposed route and restore an old tub from the ground up. DIY hot tub refurbishment is not as hard a feat as you would think. At the end of the day, look for a method and design that suits you. It is your back yard and your hot tub after all.
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Install and Spruce up Your Pavers
Pavers go a long way to really make a backyard pop.
In addition to giving the area a facelift, it equally ensures that people stay off the grass (for the most part). So, as you decide to add one or two fixtures to your backyard, equally endeavor to use pavers to create a defined path to them. There are so many materials you could play with here. In fact, there are equally so many designs. At the end of the day, you have the creative liberty but go for something that fits the overall aura of your backyard space.
The most obvious is the usual stone path, which just about does it for most people.
It’s classic, it’s homey and it blends in all settings. If you want to take it up a notch, add patterns to the pavers. A pop of color could be just the facelift your backyard is looking for.
But, if you’re going for a more rustic look, you can put in a wooden walkway. It’s both practical and aesthetically pleasing. Even more, the materials to do this are inexpensive and readily available. As long as you have access to some wood, this structure is practically already assembled.
If the aim is to really go there, then you can proceed to light up the pathway you’ve created with the pavers. No, you don’t need expensive bulbs and holders for this. Simply get yourself some rope lights with end caps. You can use some garden staples to secure them along the path and you’ll be good to go.
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Construct a Window Ledge
You can think of this as more as an extension of your kitchen… if your kitchen window opens up to your backyard. This is a fun fixture for summer days and lazy days altogether.
If you’re not particularly keen on heading out to a bar on the weekends just yet, then this will go a long way. You can use the ledge as a platform for a nice sit out, or your very own minibar. The choices abound, but for the most part, it depends on you.
The great thing about this idea is that it’s practical and incredibly inexpensive.
All you need to get this project up and running is a humble board of wood and some brackets. Pair that with a nice half umbrella to provide adequate shade so you don’t have to deal with all that harmful UVA/UVB. The major thing you need to pay close attention to is the length of the piece of wood.
Ensure that it’s the same length as the bottom pane of the window. Aesthetically and structurally, that makes a whole lot of sense. Based on that, you’ll be quite pleased with the results once you’re done.
Altogether, this is a nice fixture that’s still quite practical even when you don’t have a lot of space to work with. For a nice touch, add some stools to really give it that backyard bar look. Once that’s done, your own personal mini-bar is up and ready for use.
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Plants
If you’re planning to spruce up your backyard, then looking for different ways to incorporate plants. But before you go out looking for what to plant, you should probably check out a good guide. Once that’s out of the way, you can concentrate on actually planting. There are so many ways you can do this.
For one, if you are tried for space, you could turn an old ladder into a garden.
Basically, all you need to do is stack the containers holding your plants on a refurbished ladder. It’ll add to the all-around beauty of your backyard setup. Another way to save on space is to use an old over the door shoe rack. Put it over the fence, then plant your seedlings in the different compartments. It’s practical and brings a rustic look to this take on a vertical garden.
If you want an actual vertical garden, then you can opt for something more structurally upright.
A wood pallet will suffice perfectly, you can use hose clamps to secure the potted plants to the pallet. You can lean this against a wall or railing, so your decorative plants or herbs can be right at hand. If you’re not keen on anything too compact, you can opt for a raised garden.
This is another wooden structure, that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. You’ll like that the wood will keep all the usual pests away. At the end of the day, if these don’t rock your boat, simply till the soil in your backyard and start planting.
Conclusion
Backyards are a fun extension of every home, so there’s no need to leave yours there wasting. With summer already here, the list of things to do in your backyard has undoubtedly lengthened. So, rather than just stretching your legs out there once in a while, take advantage of the space.
The great thing about all the ideas listed is the fact that you can take a swing at it on your own.
So, not only does it save costs, but it gives you an avenue to be productive while at home. Either one of these projects is something you can dive into and marvel at the joy it brings once you’re done. So, what are you waiting for? Get right into it and enjoy your backyard to the fullest.
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