With the warmest months of the year approaching, gathering with friends and family will be on your mind. This means pulling out the grill and getting your outdoor space ready. If you feel your patio or deck is a bit drab and needs a makeover, don't fret. Here are 5 ways to brighten up your backyard and give it a makeover.
Bring the Inside Out
What’s inside your home does not always have to stay there! Bring the rustic, modern or Mediterranean style of your living room to the backyard or patio. You can decorate outdoor furniture with durable, stain-resistant pillows in bright summer colors. This will give you that familiar cozy feeling, but with a touch of summer.
Play With Fire
Don't feel like pitching a tent on a campground just to sit around a fire? Then you may want to consider getting a fire pit or chiminea. These unique outdoor fireplaces are a great buy because they can be used year-round and are a source of heat on chilly summer nights. Fire pits usually come in a flat or bowl-shaped design and are open on all sides. They can be made of natural stone, copper, brick or ceramic. Maintenance, cost and whether you want a wood-burning, propane, gel fuel or natural gas burning fire pit are key factors.
These unique outdoor fireplaces are a great buy because they can be used year-round and are a source of heat on chilly summer nights. Fire pits usually come in a flat or bowl-shaped design and are open on all sides. They can be made of natural stone, copper, brick or ceramic. Maintenance, cost and whether you want a wood-burning, propane, gel fuel or natural gas burning fire pit are key factors.
Chimineas are only open on one side and have a chimney for smoke. While sheet steel and clay are visually appealing, they do not last as long and are not as safe as cast iron or aluminum. Also, most heavily rely on wood-burning.
If you’re more of a hands-on kind of person, you can build your own fire pit!
Water It Down
It’s not necessary to dig up the yard to install a small waterfall with water pouring over rocks—although, you certainly can. You can purchase small fountains for the backyard that will provide the same ambiance and sounds of nature. The fountains are usually made of fiberglass or cobblestone.
Outdoor fountains are usually made of fiberglass or cobblestone. You can also buy an old-fashioned wood barrel with a pump that is great for a small space on patio or deck and is lightweight.
Light It Up
Adding some light to your backyard space can make all the difference. Take advantage of backyard privacy and hang lightweight lanterns or string lights from a fence. You can also go for a quaint look with a battery operated or candleholder lantern.
If you want to enhance the perimeter of your space with light, a tiki torch may be the right option. The torches are designed with different bamboo and stainless steel styles. Some fuels have scents and can help fend off mosquitoes. There are also tabletop versions made of ceramic and are clean-burn.
Swing, Swing
Porches and patios can be enhanced with unique lounging spaces that can complement or replace outdoor furniture. Swings can be attached to a porch, four posts or even be purchased with a stand and canopy allowing for mobility.
Not a fan of swings? You can install a hanging daybed instead! The daybed will be attached in a similar way and still swing slightly, but the space you have will be flat instead of upright. The daybeds can also be attached to four posts, but are not as portable as a swing on a stand.
If you feel the chain holding a swing or daybed is an eye sore, decorate the chain with rope for a tasteful touch.
