There’s nothing quite like spending a beautiful summer day having fun with your family in the backyard. Most of us spend a lot more time outside during these warm months – and there are tons of benefits of getting the kids (and the parents) out in nature.
According to a scientific report, people who spend more time outside have a lower risk of diseases, including type II diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Plus, it is far better for your body and brain than spending time inside watching TV or scrolling on your phone!
But getting the family to spend time in the backyard during the summer can be hard if there’s nothing “fun” to do out there. So, here are some helpful backyard décor tips that will make it easier to make great memories with the entire family in your backyard this upcoming summer.
1. Invest in Comfortable Outdoor Furniture
Having furniture sets in your backyard space will make it much easier to gather the family around outside. Plus, it creates a whole new space in your home to entertain or simply relax and unwind.
To achieve this, getting good quality and comfortable outdoor furniture is key. To create a relaxing outdoor living space, you should first consider how you want to use your backyard furniture. Do you want a space to entertain? A large table, comfortable chairs, and a patio umbrella are a fantastic choice. If you prefer to lounge in the sun, then reclining chairs or couches are probably best.
You should also purchase furniture materials that will stand up to the summer weather where you live. If you get a lot of rainstorms, be sure to avoid wooden furniture and get synthetic or plastic-coated cushions. Metal furniture is not great for areas with constant direct sunlight, as this material will get quite hot. Plastic or resin wicker are better choices for hot climates.
2. Buy a Trampoline
If you’re looking for a fun way to keep your whole family active (and wear out your kids’ energy) getting a trampoline is a great idea. Bouncing up and down will certainly get your heart pumping but you’ll be having so much fun, you probably won’t even notice!
Now, you should make sure that you have space in your backyard to safely install a trampoline. There needs to be ample space around, below, and above to avoid accidents and injuries. So, do refer to an informative trampoline buying guide before buying one. It is recommended to have at least 2 feet of space around the diameter that is clear from rocks, plants, or anything sharp. This will help to prevent injuries if someone accidentally falls.
Thankfully, there are tons of different trampoline shapes and sizes which are made to fit into even tiny backyards. Just be sure that only the recommended number of jumpers go on at a time!
3. Build a Family Garden
Learning about nature and caring for a garden is another great activity for the whole family. Plus, it will create beautiful foliage for your backyard – no matter how small of a space you have. Just a few pots will do, but building an expansive garden is a great project for everyone to tackle.
Do a bit of research to see which plants will do best depending on your weather climate, sun exposure, and gardening commitment. Some plants are much easier to care for than others – so if you’re a beginner, start with easy-to-grow plants such as:
- Sunflowers
- Pansies
- Daffodils
- Marigolds
- Tomatoes
- Basil
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
4. Create a Cool Off Station
There’s nothing like cooling off in cold water on a hot summer day. If you don’t have a pool (or the budget to install one), consider creating a cool off station of some sort to keep everyone comfortable during the inevitable summer heat.
A small kiddie pool will do the trick – but a sprinkler, water spray pad, or a classic slip-and-slide are excellent options that don’t require a lot of space! If you don’t feel like getting totally soaked, purchasing some misters and fans to install around your patio furniture is a great option, too.
5. Plan Family Fun Nights
Some of the best memories you’ll make with your family involve getting together to spend a summer evening. So, try to plan family gatherings around things you can do in the backyard.
For example, set up an outdoor movie with a projector and screen, blankets and pillows, and some popcorn of course. Or get a grill or set up a fire pit, pitch a tent, and “camp” out in your backyard for a night! Outdoor games are another great tip to keep everyone entertained.
Conclusion
The summer season is perfect for spending more time with the family in the great outdoors. But, having an awesome backyard design is important so that everyone wants to spend more time outside!
Setting up nice outdoor furniture and a trampoline will make it much more fun. Getting the family involved with projects like planting a garden or planning an evening event are more great ways to spend time together all summer long.
Author
Amy McConaghy is Reliance Home Comfort’s Digital Marketing Specialist, managing the editorial, video and visual content creation for all digital platforms. Amy’s writing is focused on bringing home improvement, energy and money saving tips to the homeowners and answering questions about all their home comfort needs. You can find Amy on LinkedIn.