Stressful work days and hectic weekends filled with parenting tasks can make it very easy to crave a vacation. While you may not have the budget or time for a distant retreat, you can create a relaxing, engaging, and immersive getaway in your own backyard. You just need to design your outdoor space to be the perfect staycation paradise. You don’t need a massive yard or a million-dollar budget; you just need some creativity and vision.
Make It Private
The best vacation spots offer privacy and seclusion. You can recreate the feeling of an exclusive getaway when you enclose the backyard to the outside world. Install some tall privacy fencing; wood, stone, brick, or vinyl are all stylish and durable material options. Hedges and privacy screens work wonderfully, too. If you have pets, make sure they can explore your backyard safely without being able to escape. Outdoor curtains can section off parts of your yard for a private resort feeling.
Build a Deck or Patio Lounge
You’ll want a steady foundation to relax and enjoy your backyard. Choose a spot near your home with the best view. Natural shade under some trees can make an excellent spot, but you can always add shade later. You’ll want to build a patio or deck space, depending on the material you prefer and how level your backyard terrain is. A flat patio foundation is good for those who want to be level with the ground. For uneven terrain, a deck works best. You can raise a deck as high as needed, which can improve any view. Choose a local deck builder to help you install some high-end options like integrated fire pits. If you google the term “deck builder near me”, you’ll see how easy it is to include many features like outdoor kitchens, spas, and pools for the ultimate experience.
Improve the Comfort
Now that you have a dedicated patio or deck, you’ll want to make it comfortable. You will need some weatherproof outdoor furniture for relaxation and entertainment. A table surrounded by couches and chairs can make some gorgeous al fresco dining. Lounge chairs and massage chairs can improve a spa-like experience. A loveseat by a fire pit can add an intimate escape in your own home. Choose comfortable textiles and natural materials for the most durability. Include a pergola, shade sail, or patio umbrellas to customize your shade options. You don’t want to overheat or get caught in the rain.
Just Add Water
The sound of running water often inspires a sense of calming serenity. Whether you prefer to lounge in the sun or meditate in a secluded forest, add some water features to immerse yourself in your backyard getaway. Install some fountains, ponds, waterfalls, or deer scares to help you enjoy the space more. If you enjoy a refreshing dip, install a swimming pool or hot tub on the deck for exclusive access and year-round use. If you do go this route, you’ll want to make sure you have the budget for installation and maintenance, especially with regard to an in-ground pool.
Create the Perfect Dining Space
A staycation retreat needs a luxurious outdoor dining experience. Include plenty of space to enjoy a hearty meal or summer beverage with you, your family, or guests. Add access to exclusive outdoor dining amenities like a wet bar, grill, wood-fired pizza oven, and smoker. Construct some prep areas with durable, weatherproof materials like stone. Hang up string lights and an umbrella for a charming bistro dining experience.
Illuminate the Space
On a vacation, you stay up late and enjoy fun night life or charming relaxation spaces under the stars. You’ll want to be able to use your outdoor space at nighttime, perfect for those cooler summer nights or evening pool parties. Line up pathways in the yard and patio with some solar lights. As previously stated, string lights look beautiful strung around patio furniture or deck banisters. Illuminate parts of the garden with some solar-powered spotlights. LED candles on the table mimic a safe but romantic dining experience. Try out different lighting colors and styles. Warm and soft lighting is very popular for many homeowners. The goal is to add versatility and ambience to your outdoor space.
Vary the Landscaping
Professional landscaping can complement a luxury outdoor space well. Pots on your deck, weeping trees near your ponds, and dedicated flowerbeds can improve the view while you’re relaxing in the hot tub or enjoying a romantic dinner. Tropical plants can mimic a beachside theme, while trees like Japanese maples and weeping cedars emulate a Zen garden getaway. You can try multiple themes or landscaping styles to add visual diversity and enrichment. Try mixing different bloom colors and foliage types as well. Hire a landscaper for gorgeous hardscaping and thematic paths through the garden.
Hook Up High-End Entertainment
On a vacation, you’ll enjoy some unique ways to have fun. You will want to create a similar opportunity in your backyard. What would you enjoy doing most in your outdoor space? An outdoor TV or projector can give you some movies under the stars. A swimming pool can provide endless outdoor fun. A sports court or outdoor game area can help you get some fitness under your belt while enjoying some healthy competition. A meditative yoga zone can help you unwind and destress. Hook up an outdoor speaker system to enjoy some lovely tunes as a backdrop (Spanish flamenco or Jamaican steel drums work wonders). Your creativity is the only limit for what you can include in your backyard.
Conclusion
It may not be feasible to take many expensive vacations to destress and add enrichment to your life, but you can turn your regular weekends into a fun vacation when you spruce up your backyard to mimic the ultimate getaway. Install a pool, add an outdoor kitchen, and arrange some comfortable patio chairs to make entertainment a breeze. Professional landscaping and deck building can help you enjoy a magazine-worthy design that will be the envy of the neighborhood. Your backyard can serve as a blank slate for your creativity to come to life. Take advantage of its potential now!