How to Create a Backyard Oasis for the Entire Family this Summer
Apr 02, 2023
It is spring, which is the perfect time to rethink your backyard space and plan an oasis perfect for your family to unwind and enjoy together.
Below are a few simple steps to create a backyard oasis your entire family will enjoy:
Plant a Beautiful Garden: A garden is a great way to bring life to your backyard. Planting colorful flowers, shrubs, and trees can create a natural and calming environment. Involve your children in gardening tasks such as planting, watering, and weeding. This will help them develop an interest in nature and encourage them to take care of the environment. Here are a few steps to think about when designing a garden:
If you're looking to create a beautiful backyard garden, there are a few steps you should follow to ensure your garden thrives and becomes a stunning addition to your outdoor space:
- Determine the location: The first step is to determine where you want to create your garden. Choose an area in your backyard that is well-drained and receives plenty of sunlight.
- Plan the layout: Select the plants you want to add and then select their location taking into account the specific requirements of each plant, including lighting needs, water requirements, and soil conditions.
- Prep and Plant: Ensure that the soil is rich and fertile by adding compost, manure, or other organic matter to the soil to provide nutrients for your plants to grow. Loosen up the soil to allow for good root development and then plant your garden, leaving adequate room for each plant to grow and thrive.
- Water and maintain: Proper maintenance of your garden is essential for its growth and long-term survival. Ensure that you pay attention to any signs of stress, such as wilting or browning of leaves. Properly watering and fertilizing your plants can help your garden thrive.
Add a Fire Pit: Adding a fire pit will create a warm and inviting atmosphere that is perfect for adults to unwind while the kids have fun roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories. Here are the steps you can follow to build a fire pit in your backyard:
- Choose a Location: Select a location that is away from any structures or trees to ensure it is safe for use. If your location is not perfectly flat, you might have to begin by leveling the area using a shovel, rake, or other landscaping tools.
- Gather Materials and Prep the Area: You will need fire resistant bricks or blocks, a fire pit kit or ring, a shovel, and a tamper tool. Once you have all the tools, lay the bricks or blocks in a circle or square shape to mark the perimeter of the fire pit. It is recommended that the fire pit should be 18-24 inches deep and about 36-44 inches in diameter. Once the perimeter is marked, dig the fire pit to a depth of 18-24 inches.
- Installation of the Bricks: Place the first row of bricks or blocks over a layer of paver sand or gravel. Ensure that the bricks or blocks are leveled and lined up evenly. Use a mallet or a rubber mallet to adjust the blocks as needed. Once level, continue adding layers by laying the bricks or blocks in an alternating pattern, staggering the joints. Ensure that each layer is level and even, before adding another layer.
- Finish and Enjoy: Once you reach the top layer, ensure you use fire pit caps or blocks that complement the aesthetic and create a finished look to the space. Fill the center of your fire pit with sand or gravel to provide proper drainage and heat protection. Then sit back and enjoy!
Create a Play Area: Creating a designated play area for children can keep them entertained and active for hours. Investing in a custom swing set will allow you to design a play set that is perfect for your family. Working with a professional allows guidance on the design and installation of your set. Here are some trusted professionals to consider when designing a playset: Swing Set Dealers: Working with contractors that specialize in installing swing sets for residential and commercial settings allows you to design a custom swing set that fits the exact specifications of your outdoor space as well as assurance of proper installation
- Landscape Architects: Landscape architects can ensure that your landscape design, plants, and other outdoor features complement your swing set and provide an aesthetically pleasing overall look for your backyard.
- Outdoor Recreation Experts: These professionals specialize in the construction and design of outdoor spaces including swing sets, climbing structures, and other outdoor play structures. These experts focus on helping you to select a set that fits your needs and interests. They also provide guidance on the type of materials and construction techniques required to ensure the safety and longevity of the swing set.
- Handyman Services: If you're looking to save money and are comfortable overseeing the project, you can hire a handyman to build your custom swing set. However, it is important to keep in mind that certain safety measures must be followed when constructing a swing set, and it may require an additional investment in the proper equipment and tools.
Consult Additional Online Resources: There are lots of resources available online with expert advice for building backyard playgrounds.
Install an Outdoor Cooking Area: Cooking outdoors is a perfect way to enjoy meals and socialize with family and friends during the warmer summer months. Below are some things to consider when designing an outdoor cooking area.
- Plan the area: Select a level and easy-to-access space that allows for plenty of airflow and ventilation, so smoke won’t linger into other areas of your yard or airways. Avoid any locations near windows, doorways, or overhangs as these can be hazardous with smoke and heat buildup. Once your location is set, select durable materials that will withstand exposure to the elements of weather .. Common options include stainless steel, cast iron, cinder blocks, or brick pavers. Consider also the material used for countertops and storage units based on their environmental characteristics.
- Prepare the site: Clear any large roots or stones from the chosen location and grade it slightly so that water will drain away from the area. Place tarps or plastic sheets around the perimeter if needed to keep soil dampness at bay during construction work. After the space is level, lay down a solid base with level concrete footings to serve as a firm anchor, allowing it to handle more weight than simple blocks could handle alone.
- Construct walls and frames: Build walls using bricks, stones or wooden frames for support depending on what material you have chosen beforehand for the cooking area walls and countertops. Consider incorporating shelves for condiments, spices and recipes close to hand when cooking outside in addition to cabinets for larger items such as pots and pans etc.
- Install Appliances: Add gas lines where needed then connect them up carefully according to manufacturer instructions as per local regulations followed by installing an appropriate grill over your fire pit/ BBQ pit/ smoker box/ smokehouse if required making sure they are connected safely with gas lines in place (if applicable). Additionally add sink plumbing fixtures together with additional appliances like fridges or dishwashers.
- Test all connections Before Usage: Conduct a thorough test of all your connections both gas lines & water pipes before lighting up first fire or turning knobs just in case any adjustments need implementing prior usage.
- Finishing touches: Use non-combustible materials such as wood (preferably treated) whenever possible together with adequate lighting set around key features like countertops because those working alongside flame will need good illumination during darker evenings too. After all connections have been tested & safety checks completed, you are ready to enjoy cooking outdoors
Creating a backyard oasis that the whole family can enjoy is a perfect way to make the most of your outdoor space. Taking the right steps to plan a space that works best for your family, will ensure an outdoor space you will never want to leave.
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FAQs
How do I turn my backyard into an oasis on a budget? ›
- Set the mood with string lights. ...
- Make your space more private. ...
- Create a seating zone… ...
- … ...
- Add plants (real and fake). ...
- Tie the room together with an outdoor rug. ...
- Get a sprayer nozzle for your hose.
- 01 of 09. Enchanted Sprinkler. $30, target.com. ...
- 02 of 09. Oversized Umbrella. $105, worldmarket.com. ...
- 03 of 09. Bubble Machine. $43, amazon.com. ...
- 04 of 09. Balloon Bunch. ...
- 05 of 09. Vibrant Hose. ...
- 06 of 09. Gas Grill. ...
- 07 of 09. Teak Sling Chair. ...
- 08 of 09. Play Station.
A backyard oasis consists of a perfect yard that must have plants, outdoor furniture, shade, some aesthetic appeal, and a cozy spot that provides comfort. It should feel like a resort in some remote tourist destination where you can relax and be peaceful.
How do you make an ultimate backyard? ›- Create an Outdoor Living Space with a Pergola. ...
- Entertain Around a Fire Pit Lounge. ...
- Make a Calming Backyard Pond. ...
- Soak Up the Sun with a Luxurious Pool. ...
- Become a Grill Master with an Outdoor Kitchen. ...
- Set Up the Ultimate Outdoor Bar Hangout.
PAVERS are the best option
For a do-it-yourself patio, a simple square design with one size of pavers is a lot easier to install than one with various sizes and curves because you will not have to cut the pavers, which takes time and skill. Pavers are strong, inexpensive, and easy to install.
In addition to areas for outdoor dining and entertaining, a place to relax is key. A hammock provides a snug spot for an afternoon nap when strung up between two trees or deck posts. A chaise longue is ideal for sunbathing or lounging with a book. Add plenty of outdoor pillows or cushions to boost comfort.
How do I turn my backyard into a water park? ›- Create a DIY Splash Pad.
- Create Your Own Slip n' Slide Using a Tarp.
- Put Together a DIY Noodle Sprinkler.
- Play Water Balloon Dodgeball.
- Create a Water Blob for Your Backyard Water Park.
- Set Up Some Water Balloon Piñatas.
- Create a Kid Wash.
- Get Some Cheap Inflatables for the Water Park.
- OASIS ELEMENT #1 – Privacy.
- OASIS ELEMENT #2 – Focal Point.
- OASIS ELEMENT #3 – Space for Entertaining.
- OASIS ELEMENT #4 – Different Elements (Fire/Water/Plants)
- OASIS ELEMENT #5 – Lighting.
- Trust our expert Landscape Designers at Envisioning Green to help you create your backyard oasis!
An oasis is any area in a desert that has a supply of freshwater and where plants can therefore grow. Oases provide rest, shade, food, and water for nomads as they travel their territory and to other people following trade routes.
What are the 7 principles of landscape design? ›The principles of landscape design include the elements of unity, scale, balance, simplicity, variety, emphasis, and sequence as they apply to line, form, texture, and color. These elements are interconnected.
Where do I start when designing a backyard? ›
- Know your yard. ...
- Who will be using your yard? ...
- Think about themes. ...
- Create and link spaces. ...
- Make your plants work for you. ...
- Structure your plantings. ...
- Highlight important points. ...
- Pay attention to detail.
There are five primary elements of design: mass, form, line, texture and color. Of these, mass, form and line are the main tools used to organize space in a landscape.
What makes backyard look bigger? ›- Outdoor lighting (torches or fire pit)
- Posts with planters below to hang string lights.
- Oversized umbrella.
- Vertical garden or trellis.
- Columnar evergreens or tall native plants.
- Plants with large leaves.
- Smart storage.
Crushed concrete, resin pieces, or river stones are all great options for the budget-conscious homeowner. River stones are one of the cheapest landscaping rocks you can buy, you can often find them for only a couple of dollars per pound.
What is the least expensive material to build a patio? ›Concrete is one of the most common and the cheapest materials for building a patio. Concrete is a piece of aggregates and paste – stone , sand, grave, or even shells may be crushed in the concrete; water and cement are a paste.
What is the most cost effective DIY patio? ›- Packed Gravel. Gravel is a terrific choice for affordability and ease of installation. ...
- Crushed Stone. Crushed stone is typically something you would use as a base material for pavers, but we've found that it makes for a great patio space on its own. ...
- Pavers. ...
- Concrete Forms.
Gravel. Gravel is, on average, the cheapest material for a patio and requires the least time to install. It can match well with a less landscaped, wilder garden or backyard, and offers great drainage.
How do I make my backyard feel secluded? ›- Construct a Hanging Screen. ...
- Or, Hang Outdoor Drapery Panels. ...
- Incorporate Vintage Signage. ...
- Freshen Up a Faded Fence. ...
- Go Green for City Living. ...
- Or, Give Your Deck a Single Wall. ...
- Or, Incorporate Decorative Panels. ...
- Or, Make a Retractable Canopy.
Think High and Low. Crisp edges and bold patterns in landscaping are another strong cue of management. One way indicate your landscape is well managed is to build in elements that are both high (like large shrubs and trees) and low (like many flowering annuals and grasses).
What makes a home cozy and inviting? ›- START WITH YOUR ENTRANCE. ...
- ADD THROW BLANKETS. ...
- GET YOURSELF A COMFY COUCH. ...
- ACCENTUATE THE FIREPLACE. ...
- MAKE ROOM FOR FRESH FLOWERS OR PLANTS. ...
- USE THE RIGHT LIGHTING. ...
- USE LIGHT PAINT COLORS. ...
- CREATE AN OUTDOOR HANGOUT SPOT.
How can you make water fun without a pool? ›
- Beach Ball Bull's-Eye. In this carnival-style shooter game, each player gets a beach ball and a fully loaded water gun. ...
- Sunken Treasure. ...
- Soggy Potato. ...
- Wet Freeze Tag. ...
- Laundry Relay. ...
- Back-to-Back Balloons. ...
- Splish-Splash Sponge.
Build mounds with small gravel and then cover with sand. If you have an existing, clean pond in your backyard, place sand in a way that comes right to the edge to create an inviting beach.
What are the 5 elements considered in a natural landscape? ›- Landscaping is comprised of five main elements: colour, line, texture, form and shape. ...
- While all of the elements of landscaping are important, colour might be the most essential.
The five elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water are the agents of chi and represent shapes, colours and sense.
What is a home oasis? ›A home oasis has soft, comfortable textiles, spaces to gather and retreat, lush linens, scented candles, floral arrangements, neutral colors, mementos from travel, a collection of art, mood lighting, music, delectable food, and anything else that you find soothing.
What are some unique qualities of an oasis? ›An oasis is an area made fertile by a source of freshwater in an otherwise dry and arid region. Oases (more than one oasis) are irrigated by natural springs or other underground water sources. They vary in size from a cluster of date palms around a well or a spring to a city and its irrigated cropland.
What is the spiritual meaning of oasis? ›It is about making a place for nurturing the deepest wellsprings of our human being. So it is as much a process of creating an internal space for learning, maturing and growing the spiritual self, as about finding spiritual places and activities in the material world.
Can a home be an oasis? ›Your home should be your safe space — a place where you can sit back, relax, and unwind from all the hustle and bustle of everyday life. There are various ways you can turn your home into the ultimate oasis that will allow you to feel complete tranquility.
What defines a suburban family? ›Suburban refers to areas just beyond a city's border. Your parents might have grown up in the city and then moved to a more suburban area after they had kids. If you see a lot of malls, plus houses that all look the same, and you're just outside a city, then you're in a suburban area: the suburbs.
How do I turn my yard into a wildlife oasis? ›For the perfect wildlife habitat, you should consider adding in more grasses and bring even more diversity to your yard. Different grasses will produce flowers and seeds which can be enjoyed by many creatures including birds and insects.
How do I make my backyard serene? ›
Design a More Inviting Patio or Deck
Make a patio a place where you would want to spend time, perhaps relaxing in the sun, practicing yoga, reading, hanging out with friends—whatever your pleasure. Add pillows, blankets, flowers, and lanterns to make the space cozy.
- Choose a Spot. ...
- Choose Furniture. ...
- Add Lighting. ...
- Incorporate an Outdoor Rug. ...
- Surround the Area With Potted Flowers and Floral Bouquets from the Garden. ...
- Add Throws and Pillows. ...
- Bring an Outdoor Table in the Center of the Space. ...
- Add an Outdoor Firepit to the Living Space.
- Start By Building Your Soil Naturally:
- Watering For Free – Rainwater Water Collection System.
- Saving Seeds / Growing Your Own Plants.
- Home Made Natural Fertilizers and Sprays.
- Remove Non-Desert Plants. The first thing you will need to do is clear your existing landscape. ...
- Create A Pathway. What is this? ...
- Weed Barrier. Place a weed barrier on your front yard. ...
- Mid-Size Boulders. Via Tierra Concepts. ...
- Add Chosen Plants. ...
- Cover With Gravel. ...
- Natural Mounds. ...
- Fill And Pave Walkway.