How to Turn Your Backyard into the Ultimate Staycation Destination
- adriana
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Traveling takes a lot of time and energy. Between planning a trip and figuring out how to take time off work, leaving your home for a far-flung destination might sometimes feel more exhausting than restorative. Even a domestic trip could end up taking up more out of you than you’d like.
Instead of using your precious time and money trying to book a vacation, why not bring your favorite vacation spots to you? One way to do this is to turn your backyard into a lush, relaxing and comfortable oasis you can enjoy for years to come.
Image by DepositPhotos
As you get started, keep in mind that some backyard makeover ideas are more expensive than others. If you want to put in a pool, a new patio or an outdoor kitchen, you could be looking at spending thousands of dollars. A personal loan from a bank, credit union or online lender could help, especially if you qualify for a low interest rate.
But whether you go big or keep it small, there are many ways to create the ultimate staycation destination in your own backyard.
Create different areas
The first step is to decide on a design scheme for your backyard. Think about how you want to use the space and what types of features will help you feel like you’re on vacation.
One way to do this is to separate your space into different areas based on activity type. For example, an outdoor kitchen and patio could be a great place to cook, grill and dine with family and friends. Or you might want a comfortable place to kick back and read a book in the shade. For gathering the family, a fire pit is always a nice touch for later in the evening and a fun activity for all ages, especially if s’mores are involved.
A water element like a small fountain, pond or even a pool could help boost the vacation vibe. However, these features are often expensive to install and can require ongoing maintenance costs. They can also be dangerous if there are small children around. If you go that route, you’ll want to look into gates and fences to keep everyone safe.
Image by DepositPhotos
Use landscaping
A simple way to elevate your space is to add plants, grass and flowers that are native to your environment and won’t be too difficult to maintain. A flower garden or raised beds could add a lot of seasonal color to your backyard.
Greenery can also help you make your space more private. Plant bushes and small trees along your fence or use them to create separate areas in your backyard.
Laying down gravel, building a rock garden, installing stepping stones or setting up a vertical garden on a trellis are other ways to make a big impact with relatively low effort.
Add furniture and decor
Comfortable seating, tables and lounge chairs could make your space elegant and cozy. Hang up a hammock between two trees or on a frame. Add a large umbrella for shade if it gets hot — a pergola can also shade an area for dining or lounging if you have money to spend.
Small touches like citronella candles, lamps and even tiki torches could be fun and keep the bugs away at night while adding a festive flair.
You may also want to have special patio-safe glasses, dishes and cutlery that have more of a vacation feel to them.
Include entertainment
One of the best ways to pretend you’re on vacation is to have outdoor entertainment options. Is there an area where you could set up a big screen and a projector for movie nights? What about a sound system for playing your favorite music? You could also consider an open area for badminton and cornhole, or yoga and meditation.
Make your backyard feel like a vacation
Even if you don’t want to travel far from home, you can turn your backyard into an escape that gives you a break from the everyday.
Think about your favorite places to travel to and what you like most about them. Try to recreate your own version at home using landscaping, decor and entertainment. Make your space feel more intentional by designating different areas for cooking, dining, lounging and having fun. Even small changes to your backyard could help you capture the carefree magic of a vacation.
Image by DepositPhotos
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