Backyard Living Time
We hear the words "outdoor living space" pretty often, and I'm not just talking in the real estate industry. This time of year, we love to be outdoors and enjoy the best kept secret that Iowa springs, summers, and autumns bring to us. But in order to have the backyard that you can't wait to relax in, will you need to spend thousands on a landscaper to bring your vision to fruition? In a word, no.
It's actually pretty easy (and fun!) to design and build a backyard oasis perfect for you. In my opinion, a perfect outdoor space requires a mix of coziness, function, and beauty. Need a few ideas to get started? Don't forget to share yours after perusing mine!
Think fire. Firepit, that is. One of the most universally loved outdoor downtime includes sitting around a fire-just picture it. Whether you're a s'mores fanatic, a storyteller, music-lover, or dreamer, you can amplify all those things by doing them around a firepit. Best part? Cost of putting one in can go from around $25-$65 for a budget-minded DIY job to thousands for a luxury unit-and tons in between that range.
Comfy furniture. Now, yes, you can set out a cute patio table and chairs, but doesn't it sounds nicer to also have actual outdoor furniture to cuddle up in? Again, these pieces can range from DIY options using everything from pallets to bed headboards, to investing in quality pieces-but don't forget to check out second-hand and hardware stores for any great deals they may be offering.
Let there be light! There will be a large portion of time that will be spent in the nighttime in this area, so make sure you have the right lighting system. Chances are, you won't need a huge investment here-while you have options (pendant lighting, chandeliers, wall sconces, string lights, etc), most people like a simple and comforting vibe-string, or fairy lights can be perfect.
Not a lot of space to add some vegetation or pretty flowers? Try a vertical garden! Align pots against a wall or fence, and go crazy. How about a combination of herbs, leafy greens,and floral blooms?
Depending on your personal aesthetic, you also may consider a water feature-a pond, a waterfall, a fountain. For some people, water is more than they want to maintain, as you do need to consider the maintenance of cleaning and keeping insect breeding to a minimum. It can be a lovely addition, however, so see what could work the best for you.
And finally...remember what you're creating-a haven to decompress with friends and family. You don't have to get too elaborate. In fact, sometimes, it's more fun to change things around as the mood takes you, so keep that in mind as you dream and design. Happy Backyard Summer!
It's actually pretty easy (and fun!) to design and build a backyard oasis perfect for you. In my opinion, a perfect outdoor space requires a mix of coziness, function, and beauty. Need a few ideas to get started? Don't forget to share yours after perusing mine!
Think fire. Firepit, that is. One of the most universally loved outdoor downtime includes sitting around a fire-just picture it. Whether you're a s'mores fanatic, a storyteller, music-lover, or dreamer, you can amplify all those things by doing them around a firepit. Best part? Cost of putting one in can go from around $25-$65 for a budget-minded DIY job to thousands for a luxury unit-and tons in between that range.
Comfy furniture. Now, yes, you can set out a cute patio table and chairs, but doesn't it sounds nicer to also have actual outdoor furniture to cuddle up in? Again, these pieces can range from DIY options using everything from pallets to bed headboards, to investing in quality pieces-but don't forget to check out second-hand and hardware stores for any great deals they may be offering.
Let there be light! There will be a large portion of time that will be spent in the nighttime in this area, so make sure you have the right lighting system. Chances are, you won't need a huge investment here-while you have options (pendant lighting, chandeliers, wall sconces, string lights, etc), most people like a simple and comforting vibe-string, or fairy lights can be perfect.
Not a lot of space to add some vegetation or pretty flowers? Try a vertical garden! Align pots against a wall or fence, and go crazy. How about a combination of herbs, leafy greens,and floral blooms?
Depending on your personal aesthetic, you also may consider a water feature-a pond, a waterfall, a fountain. For some people, water is more than they want to maintain, as you do need to consider the maintenance of cleaning and keeping insect breeding to a minimum. It can be a lovely addition, however, so see what could work the best for you.
And finally...remember what you're creating-a haven to decompress with friends and family. You don't have to get too elaborate. In fact, sometimes, it's more fun to change things around as the mood takes you, so keep that in mind as you dream and design. Happy Backyard Summer!
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