Cleaning Hacks
June 10, 2022
Backyard Theatre
June 24, 2022
Create the Ultimate Backyard Hangout
Ahh, it’s summertime! The best time of the year is when the birds are singing and the sun is shining. It is finally time to utilize that outdoor space of yours to the fullest! Now is the time to think about what will create the best hangout spot for your family and friends. If you aren’t sure where to begin, then you have come to the right place! In this article, we will go over the recipe for the ultimate backyard hangout. Read on for some fun ideas to make your backyard summer ready!
There aren’t a lot of things you need to add to your backyard to make it a great hangout spot. Even just adding a few conversational seating areas and putting up some lights can do the trick! Be sure to include tables and chairs and if you can, music can help add a great ambience to any outdoor area!
Add a Firepit
Firstly, the easiest way to make your backyard a cozy hangout spot is by adding a fire pit. A fire pit adds a beautiful focal point to any backyard. Looking to build your own? Check out our blog post! however, you may not be allowed to have a fire because of bylaws, but that’s no problem! You can also add some sort of fire feature like this. Cozying up beside a warm fire is just so comfortable and relaxing. Watching flames dancing is so magical and mesmerizing. The heat that comes off of it is an added bonus as well! An added bonus comes with smoke that can keep the mosquitoes away. And the s’mores… need we say more!
Outdoor Games
Who doesn’t love outdoor games! They can make a boring afternoon a whole lot more fun when you add a ball and a net. Or any game really! You don’t have to be too picky when it comes to backyard games, because the best part about them is getting to enjoy the great outdoors! A few fun game ideas include Spike Ball, horseshoes, croquet, washers, bocce ball, volleyball, cornhole, capture the flag, yard Yahtzee, and yard Jenga. These games can be found at your local department store, on Amazon or can even be made by you! For a great list of fun outdoor games for the backyard, check out our blog post!
Pool - Kiddie Pools Work Just Fine!
If you have an inground swimming pool, then your house already has one of the coolest backyard hangouts in your neighbourhood! Swimming pools are great for entertaining, cooling off, or getting a little bit of exercise. Even an above-ground pool can be used for all of the above as well. But, if you don’t have the funds to put in one of these more expensive swimming pools, then why not try a kiddie pool instead! You can get these inflatable pools for a decently affordable price at Canadian Tire or Wal Mart. Many of them are even large enough for adults to climb in as well! So, grab your drink and take a soak on a hot summer day!
Pergola or Gazebo
Pergolas and gazebos are a popular choice for backyards for many reasons. Not only do they add a cozy hangout spot, but they also provide well-needed shade and you can also sit outside during the rain and at night when the mosquitoes come out. These structures come in all sorts of materials and sizes, as well as prices. They can be as affordable as $75 for a soft tent, all the way up to $5000 or more for a hardtop. You could also consider building your own gazebo with plans such as these. Be sure to set up your gazebo on a flat piece of land. On top of a patio or deck always work well!
Lots of Seating Options
When creating the ultimate backyard hangout, you need to consider seating options. In order for your guests to be comfortable, they need a good place to rest and enjoy the summer day. If you are looking to create a super-cool hangout spot, then you might want to consider a variety of different seating options. This can include some sort of couch, chairs, swinging couches, hammocks, swinging chairs, loungers, no gravity chairs, benches or swings. There are so many different options for seating these days, there truly is a chair out there for everyone! Be sure to add end tables and coffee tables so your guests have a place to put their drinks.
Outdoor Dining Space
Speaking of drinks, it is also an essential part of any outdoor hangout to have a spot to eat. This can coincide with the seating options of course, but you will want a table that is comfortable for your guests to eat at. No one likes to be hunched over at a coffee table trying to eat their meal, or balancing a plate on their knee. Try a picnic table or an outdoor dining table to create a more user-friendly dining space. You can add tablecloths, placemats and decor as needed to really spruce up this dining space! Maybe try an outdoor fridge or cooler as well so your guests don’t have to go inside to refill their refreshments.
Build a Treehouse
Your kids will love this! Even as adults, we all enjoy the nostalgia of an elevated home in a tree. What can be cooler than this! There are lots of great options for building a treehouse in your yard, you don’t even need a tree if you don’t have one! Modern-day “tree” houses can be built on concrete stilts or wooden posts and be just as fun! However, if you want that true treehouse feeling, finding a good tree to build the structure around is always best! Check out these free plans for building your own treehouse in your backyard!
Tend to the Garden
You don’t need to have award-winning roses or an immaculate garden area to make your backyard look nice. Just adding a few pops of colour here and there with greenery and flowers can make all the difference! Add a little mulch around a stone pathway, and you will have a beautiful entryway to your backyard hangout spot! You don’t need to break the bank doing a little bit of landscaping in your backyard. In fact, we have a great article about landscaping on a budget that you might want to check out!
Backyard Movie Theatre
If you want to create quite literally the ULTIMATE backyard hangout spot, then why not try adding a backyard movie theatre! This can be as simple or extravagant as you would like! Whether you want to hang up a sheet for viewing a movie, or build a more permanent screen is up to you. There is no limit to how far you can take this super cool hangout spot. You can create built-in seating if you’d like, pair the theatre with some fun tiki torches or string lights, or you can keep it simple and set up pillows and blankets on the ground to lounge and watch your movie. Of course, you’ll also need a projector to play movies. Whatever you decide to do, once you put an outdoor movie theatre into your backyard, there is no doubt that your place will be the coolest backyard hangout spot!
In conclusion, there really aren’t that many elements to creating the ultimate backyard hangout outdoor space! Adding a few entertaining options and fun games will make so much of a difference to an otherwise boring backyard. And, this can all be done affordably without breaking the bank!
To recap, our fun backyard ideas are fire pits, outdoor games, pools (kiddie pools welcomed!), pergolas or gazebos, a variety of seating options, a dining space, a treehouse, nice landscaping and for a fun bonus, adding a backyard movie theatre.
Want more outdoor inspiration? Check out our other blog posts such as How to Create a Cozy Outdoor Space, Outdoor Inspiration for any Space or Outdoor Trends of 2020.
The Susan & Moe Team hopes you enjoy your summer season! Looking for a home with a new outdoor space? Contact us.
We would love to help you find your dream home!
