Now that staying in is the new going out, our backyards are becoming more prominent extensions of our homes. But spending time outside doesn’t mean we should be any less comfortable. You can blur the lines between interiors and exteriors with these backyard improvements for better outdoor living.
Swinging Seating
There’s more room to move outside and plenty of furniture choices if you want to move while sitting down. A bench swing is irresistible for couples, and a tire swing adds a taste of authentic nostalgia. It’s one of the few old-fashioned pleasures that kids still get a kick out of, too. There are endless options, from oversized hanging chairs and chaise lounges to canopied swings and luxury hammocks. A good hammock is one of the ultimate indulgences, hearkening back to an era when there was time to while away the day with nowhere to be.
An Outdoor Living Room
Whether you want a quiet place to read or a place to entertain, homeowners are getting impatient with outdoor furniture that’s rickety and uncomfortable. Living rooms are springing up on lawns, with higher-end furniture that can still stand up to the weather or interior pieces partially protected by pergolas and awnings. You can set yours in the middle of a garden or just outside your French doors. Add a fire pit, rugs, throw pillows, string lights, and a few of your favorite people.
A Patio Bar
With outdoor kitchens becoming more common, experience-based spaces are evolving to include before- and after-dinner drinks. An outdoor bar can bring more people into the cooking process and provide an opportunity to unwind and digest after. With enough surface and comfortable seating, a bar can double as a workspace when you need a break from the home office. If you don’t want to commit to a permanent structure, a bar cart can add personality and function to a smaller yard.
Trends aren’t important, but your lifestyle is, so think about what you like to do outside and what you’d use most. The boundaries between home and yard are disappearing, with outside additions like televisions, bathrooms, and daybeds. Keep adding backyard improvements for better outdoor living, and soon you won’t need the indoors at all.