It seems that daily life is getting increasingly tiring, so it’s nice to come home and unwind at the end of the day, but maybe kicking back on the couch with a beer or a glass of wine simply isn’t cutting it for you anymore. Maybe it’s time to create an outdoor space that makes you truly happy, and that you’re excited to come home to at the end of a long day. You might think something like this is a waste of money, but with the right planning and the best loan, the process can be surprisingly easy and affordable. If you refinance your home and put the money you get into renovations, you can even greatly increase the overall value of your property, making it a great move if you ever plan to sell. Here are some ideas for creating the perfect outdoor space to fit your needs.
Relaxation
If you want to prioritize relaxation in your outdoor space, then you might want to create a beautifully landscaped garden, with an assortment of trees, plants, and fountains that make you feel as if you’re lost in nature. You could build flagstone paths through your garden that lead to a hidden nook, maybe a rope swing on a tree, a little gazebo with a table and chairs, or a bench under an arbor of flowers. Whatever is it, it should make you want to grab a good book and a cool drink and spend the whole day reading, surrounded by nature. If a garden isn’t really your forte, then you might consider building a back porch with rocking chairs or a swinging bench, that way you can spend summers sitting, swaying, and enjoying the summer breeze. You could even install an awning to block out the sun and keep you from getting too hot or getting burned.
Entertainment
If you want to prioritize entertainment in your outdoor oasis, then a big back patio is definitely the way to go. If you’re building the patio from scratch, then you could try to include features like a built-in grill, or a built-in fire pit. A fire pit is a great thing to have for entertaining since it will keep you and your guests warm on chilly evenings, and you can even cook certain foods over it like marshmallows or hot dogs. Of course, you’ll need plenty of comfortable patio furniture so that your guests can sit and lounge around the fireplace. If you want to host big barbeques, you should also look into purchasing a big, outdoor dining set to accommodate all of your guests. To keep your guests from getting too bit up, you should also invest in some citronella candles or citronella-burning tiki torches. Not only do these keep your guests itch-free, but they’ll also provide a nice ambient glow for your outdoor space. If you really want to impress your guests, then you should look into purchasing a hot tub for your backyard oasis. Not only will your friends always ask you to host parties, but soaking in a hot tub can help you relax and unwind after a long day.
The Children’s Fun Zone
If your primary goal is creating an outdoor space where you can go and have fun with your kids, then you have plenty of options for your design. One of the easiest things you can add to your backyard to up its fun level is some sort of playset, either a combined swingset and slide–maybe with a rock wall for added thrills–or a jungle gym. The less basic it appears, the better, since the enhanced design will help to boost your child’s imagination. If you really want to add to the physical fun, you should look into putting a trampoline in your backyard. You might worry about the potential danger that something like this comes with, but your child should be safe as long as the safety net is properly installed and you’re keeping an eye on them to make sure they aren’t doing anything too risky. Just think of the fun nights you and your kids could spend camping out on the trampoline overnight. Something like that would be sure to score you major cool points.
Something your child will truly be impressed by is anything built by you. This could be as simple as a tire swing, or as complex as a tree house. Building a tree house for your child gives them another space in which to flex their creativity and let their imagination run wild, and if you’re lucky, they won’t hit you with a ‘no adults allowed’ rule. Having something built by you can add to their fun now, and will be a cherished sentimentality to them as they age. Every time they come back home to visit after moving away, they’ll look at that treehouse or tire swing and be reminded of all the fun times they had with you.
