You see them everywhere: empty, unused yards adorned with nothing but a lonely barbeque. The typical American backyard is a mass of untapped potential. If you want to make the most of what your home has to offer, don’t take this important living space for granted. Fortunately, turning the average backyard into a dramatic outdoor living space that everyone wants to be in is easy. What your yard really wants is action and adventure. It wants to remember the wild place it once was. These simple additions will put you well on your way to creating an outdoor space that’s fun and inviting.
Heating it up
If you have deeply fond memories of corn roasts, summer camp bonfires and toasted marshmallows you’re in good company. Sitting around and watching the fire is one of the oldest and most fascinating social activities of all time. Fortunately, you don’t have to live in the bush to have a fire in the backyard anymore. Small enclosed fireplaces, chimineas and simple torches are heating up urban backyards all over the country. These can warm up your outdoor living area in a way that few other things do. Many backyard enthusiasts go all the way with this concept and turn a section of the backyard into an outdoor cooking area. Ever want your own wood-fired pizza oven? Brick or stone barbeque? It’s amazing how much fun you can have with these.
A room with a view
A screen or glass room is the perfect addition to add some excitement to your backyard. It’s amazing what sitting in climate controlled comfort, with some drinks and appetizers can do for your outlook on life.
You don’t need to have waterfront property, a river running through your acreage or an inground pool to have the benefits of water elements in your yard. Fountains, ponds and waterfalls come in a wide range of sizes, styles and price ranges. A small running water fountain (that can costs less than $200) is beautiful to look at and soothing to listen to on a warm summer night.
Adding fire and water elements are just the beginning of what you can do to add drama to the yard and make it truly inviting. You may consider features like these to be more along the lines of finishing touches that come after you’ve completed the covered areas that you want to add. But whether you start or finish with them – don’t leave them out, it’s what brings the life to backyard living!
