London Daily

Focus on the big picture.

Ways to Create an Inviting Backyard Getaway

Ways to Create an Inviting Backyard Getaway

Transform your backyard into a place of escape where you can unwind, enjoy some fresh air, and have fun with friends and family. To foster an inviting atmosphere, combine outdoor furniture, decor, landscaping, and other elements that suit your style and needs. Try these ideas to turn your backyard into a relaxing outdoor oasis.


Incorporate Color and Pattern with Textiles


Personalize a deck or patio with weather-resistant textiles that add softness and style. Decide on a color scheme, then gather outdoor pillows in a range of sizes and patterns. Opt for fabrics that dry quickly, resist UV rays, and are easy to clean. For a larger dose of color and pattern, anchor your seating area with a stylish outdoor rug.



Provide Spots for Lounging


In addition to areas for outdoor dining and entertaining, a place to relax is key. When strung up between two trees or deck posts, a hammock provides a snug spot for an afternoon nap. A chaise longue is ideal for sunbathing or lounging with a book. Add plenty of outdoor pillows or cushions to boost comfort.



Add Lushness with Plants


Surround your outdoor space with lush greenery. Plant containers with eye-catching varieties and arrange them near the seating area to provide living decor. A shallow planter filled with succulents can serve as a beautiful centerpiece for an outdoor table. Plants with tall stems and full leaves double as privacy screens with the right placement.



Plan Outdoor Lighting


To enjoy your backyard getaway after the sun sets, include outdoor lighting. At its most basic, this consists of porch lights that illuminate access to the house and provide ambient lighting. For outdoor kitchens, you'll need good task lighting over the grill and work areas. For dining and conversation areas, candlelight, wall-mounted downlights, or dimmable electric lamps. Steps and walkways should also be illuminated for safety. You can also use solar-powered accent lights or low-voltage lights to add drama and interest to the landscape and to highlight paths. Combine a mix of lighting sources to make your backyard getaway a magical place after dark.



Create Shady Spots


Even sun-worshippers will welcome a little shade in the heat of summer. On days when it's bright and hot outside, you and your guests will enjoy your deck or patio more if you can provide relief from the sun. Choices for providing shade include patio umbrellas, mature trees, retractable awnings, or even arbors and pergolas planted with vines. Choose the option that best suits your space and budget.



Define Your Outdoor Space


Make your backyard a versatile destination by defining different activity zones within the space. Multiple outdoor furniture arrangements carve out spaces for dining and relaxing on this patio. A pergola covered with luxurious vines and an abundance of plants in containers augment the surrounding garden and help blend the structure into the landscape.



Create a Picture-Perfect Patio


A patio should be a welcoming extension of the house, calling you outdoors to enjoy cool breezes and fresh air. With a little planning, you can make your patio a comfortable seasonal room. Patios are usually surfaced with brick or stone. If you opt for concrete, consider adding texture and color to imitate stone for a more natural look. Design the patio to be an extension of your home's architecture, and use planting beds, container gardens, and weatherproof furniture to decorate the outdoor space.



Add an Outdoor Kitchen


If you love grilling and eating outdoors from spring through fall, consider an outdoor kitchen. You don't need a fancy grill, but a countertop for food prep and conveniences such as closed storage and a separate side burner will greatly enhance your outdoor cooking experience. Add a refrigerator and sink to make preparation and cleanup even easier.



Ensure Privacy


Your outdoor room will feel more like an oasis if it has a sense of enclosure. Fences and garden walls ensure privacy for patios and decks, but you can also use lattice, pergolas, and landscaping to define outdoor spaces and screen views of neighboring houses. Hanging outdoor curtains is another easy, inexpensive way to boost privacy.



Furnish for Comfort and Durabililty


You have more choices than ever when it comes to furnishing your outdoor rooms. Wrought iron and cast iron, wrought or cast aluminum, and traditional wood are classic options for outdoor furniture. New synthetic, weatherproof patio furniture and fabrics are also now available, offering similar styles and comfort as interior furnishings. There are even weatherproof floor lamps and table lamps that combine stylish lighting with durability.

Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
0:00
0:00
Close
Royal Estates Earning Millions from Public Services and Charities
Siemens Acquires Altair Engineering in $10.6 Billion Deal
The man who got hit by a bus and immediately went back to the pub is strong! Beer is very important.
Donald Trump files $10 billion lawsuit against CBS News, accusing them of 'deceptively doctoring' Kamala Harris' '60 Minutes' interview
Formal Address for Meghan Markle at Invictus Games
Understanding the US Electoral College System
Apple Launches AI Features on Select iPhones
JP Morgan Sued Customers Over Viral Cheque Fraud Scheme
King Charles to Continue Global Tours Despite Cancer Diagnosis
Venice Extends Tourist Entry Fee Program to 2025
Tommy Robinson Charged Under Terrorism Act for Phone Offence
Plans to Increase Employers' National Insurance Announced
Washington Post Editor-at-Large Robert Kagan has RESIGNED after owner Jeff Bezos BARRED the endorsement of Kamala Harris.
Massive Theft of Artisan Cheddar from Neal’s Yard Dairy
US Man Charged with Murder of Co-Worker over Breaks
Carbon Monoxide Incident Claims Lives at UK Care Home
Birmingham Airport Evacuated Due to Suspicious Vehicle
Former US President Barack Obama raps the lyrics to Eminem's ‘Lose Yourself’ after the rapper introduces him at a Kamala Harris rally in Detroit
KYIV URGES NORTH KOREAN TROOPS IN UKRAINE TO SURRENDER
Ofcom Identifies Link Between Social Media Posts and UK Unrest
Russian Boxer Receives Lifetime Ban for Illegal Move in Boxing Debut
Biden Labels Trump a Threat to Democracy
McDonald's Linked to E. coli Outbreak Leading to One Death
Teacher Enoch Burke arrested at Wilson’s Hospital School in Ireland after refusing to endorse and affirm transgender ideology.
FBI Investigates Leak of US Intelligence on Israeli Strike Plans
Israeli Airstrike Targets Hezbollah's Financial Resources
China’s Baidu is revolutionizing transportation with its robotaxi service
Angela Rayner Secures Permanent Seat on UK National Security Council
Russian Ambassador Claims UK's Proxy War in Ukraine
Doctor Advocates for Assisted Dying Law Reform
Ruth Davis Appointed as UK’s First Nature Envoy
Pressure Mounts on Starmer to Discuss Reparations at Commonwealth Summit
James Cleverly’s Costly In-Flight Catering for Government Trips
AI Regulation Takes Center Stage in 2024 US Presidential Campaign
NASA Study Explores Potential Microbial Life Beneath Mars' Ice
Cats: The Liquid-Like Pets
Netanyahu Condemns Alleged Hezbollah Assassination Attempt
Liam Payne's Tragic Death: Tributes Pour In
Cuba's Power Struggles: Nationwide Blackout Strikes Again
Xi Jinping Urges Troops to Prepare for Conflict Amid Taiwan Drills
Farage Supported by US PR Team Linked to Steve Bannon
Controversy Over MP's Comments on Female Candidate's Family Responsibilities
Highlights from the Conservative Leadership Contest TV Debate
Childminder Jailed for Inciting Racial Hatred After Southport Attack
NHS England's Repair Bill Soars to Almost £14 Billion
Russia Accused of Using Incendiary Devices to Disrupt Western Confidence
Culture Wars: 'A Dog Whistle to Attack the Right', Says Badenoch
Virtual Reality and Advanced Technologies in Combating Cocaine Addiction
Chancellor Rachel Reeves Assembles Taskforce to Safeguard Financial Stability Amid Increased Borrowing Plans
RAF Typhoon Intercepts Air India Flight After Bomb Threat
×