Build a Backyard Oasis

When spending time out in the backyard, we often miss the comfy amenities that we have indoors. Well, miss them no longer! You can create an outdoor oasis that will be the envy of the neighborhood. First, make a plan – look at your space and list the features you want to include. Need some ideas? Here are some ways to bring your backyard oasis to life.

The Bird Bath is Back

Forget the fancy (and expensive) water feature, bird baths are back. When I was growing up, our home had two – one in the front yard and one out back. The front yard bird bath had a squirrel statue in it (a favorite touch of mine). I remember watching a robust variety of birds swoop in for a swim. The nice thing about the bird bath is that it needs no power or filter to run. Just a rinse-out now and again and the birds are happy. Listen to them sing!

Wildflowers for the Win

You don’t have to plant expensive flowers to turn a bare spot into something fun and lively. Wildflowers have made a comeback and they are beneficial in more than one way. Not only do they look nice, wildflowers help sustain a healthy local bee population. Till up the soil, put some seeds down and before you know it, you will have a thriving patch of flowing color.

Privacy, Please

Create an outdoor “room” by using tall shrubs or hanging plants as a barrier. You can even go as far as a small fenced area that will keep the nosy neighbors guessing what’s going on “over there.” A personal, semi-secluded outdoor space will allow you to enjoy yourself without prying eyes.

Light it Up

You can add brightness and ambiance with many outdoor lighting options. String lights, uplighting, lanterns and solar lamps keep the outdoors “open” for enjoyment during dusk and nighttime hours. Plus, lighting makes it safer to traverse the space in the dark. One idea for installing string lights: you need a metal planter, an 8’ 4×4 post and a bag of cement. Drill some holes into the bottom of the metal container for drainage when it rains. Mix the concrete and pour it into the planter, then insert the post in the center. Once the concrete has cured, add a screw-hook to the top of the post. Repeat this process for as many posts as needed to create the string light configuration you want (square, triangular) and hang the strings between them.

Get Comfy

Lounge chairs or a hammock will make your space more inviting and add to enjoyment of your new lights. With the variety of outdoor furniture that is available, you’re sure to find something that fits both your style and your space, and leaves you oh, so comfy. Then you can grab a book, kick back and relax while watching the birds have a party in your newly acquired bath.