Creating The Perfect Backyard Retreat: Helpful Tips For Backyard Decorating

Summary: With a little careful planning, you can turn your backyard into a relaxing oasis, a family entertainment center, or even a complete, open-air home. Backyard decorating doesn't have to be expensive. There are plenty of simple backyard design tips that can help you create the perfect outdoor area, even on a limited budget. First, consider the outdoor needs of you and your family. If you have children, designate a play area in an open area of your backyard. Use colorful c...

With a little careful planning, you can turn your backyard into a relaxing oasis, a family entertainment center, or even a complete, open-air home. Backyard decorating doesn't have to be expensive. There are plenty of simple backyard design tips that can help you create the perfect outdoor area, even on a limited budget. First, consider the outdoor needs of you and your family. If you have children, designate a play area in an open area of your backyard. Use colorful containers or a large plastic bin to store outdoor toys and design a relaxing sitting and conversation area within eyesight for easy supervision. Your sitting area may be as simple as a few lounge chairs or a full outdoor living area with weather resistant wicker furniture and colorful throw pillows to brighten the room. If you plan to do a lot of outdoor entertaining, you will want plenty of sitting room, as well as an outdoor cooking and dining area. Backyard design ideas for outdoor kitchens should include a barbecue and surface space. Your backyard dining room may be furnished with a simple picnic table or a patio table of any size. It is important to plan these backyard areas with convenience in mind and place them as close to your indoor kitchen entrance as possible. You may prefer a private backyard retreat for just yourself and your spouse. This could be designed in a small, secluded area of your backyard, near the beauty and tranquility of your garden, or surrounding a relaxing hot tub. The furnishings in your personal backyard retreat can range from a comfortable garden bench, a hammock, or a rejuvenated love seat from indoors. The accessories and lighting you use to decorate your backyard living space will set the mood and atmosphere for this part of your home, just like inside. Citronella candles are great bug repellents and add a subtle glow to your backyard retreat. Colorful accents, like pillows, placemats, and bright chair cushions, can make your outdoor areas very inviting. Consider festive vases full of your favorite flowers for table décor and hang wind chimes for a melodic atmosphere. Lighting is a very important part of your backyard design. If you do a lot of outdoor entertaining at night, you will want bright lights that illuminate your yard well, especially near your dining area. Coleman's propane powered tabletop torches are easy to use and perfect for the backyard. Smaller patio lights are ideal for walkways or sitting areas and simple tiki torches provide an inexpensive lighting option as well. To keep your backyard retreat enjoyable, as well as presentable, design plenty of storage options for the common backyard items that aren't the most attractive. Store tools and lawn equipment out of sight in a storage shed or under the deck. Garbage containers can be housed in the garage or behind a decorative wall. Plants and trees also make wonderful barriers, as well as terrific backyard decorations. Your backyard should be a place of fun and relaxation for you and those you love. Backyard retreats can be as simple or as extravagant as your tastes desire. Careful planning and a few inexpensive furnishings can transform your backyard into a peaceful outdoor haven or a bright and exciting island vacation!