A steaming cup of Joe in the back patio, lazy Saturday afternoons in the garden, barbecues with friends and family…everyone really should be lucky enough to have a backyard. Now that we’ve all been forced to spend more time than usual indoors, we must make full use of the good ol’ backyard.
However, if your outdoor space is looking and feeling a bit worse for wear, you may want to do something to make it a little more inviting. Luckily, you don’t need to spend an arm and afoot to turn your backyard into a comfortable and stylish area. There are plenty of backyard accessories that can help you create your dream yard without breaking the bank.
Even if you’ve already done your best to soup up your backyard as best as you can with some sweet, sweet accessories, your backyard will not be perfect until you add these 5 items:
A hammock
Some accessories are just designed for the outdoors; a hammock is one of those items. Nothing screams oasis quite like a hammock can. Humans have been utilizing hammocks for centuries, so it comes as no surprise that hammocks are some of the most highly sought after backyard items that you will ever find. Hammocks are the best way to relax in your yard as you while the day away in nature.
When looking for hammocks for your backyard, you will primarily have to choose from 2 main types; a Brazilian hammock or a spreader bar one. The Brazilian model is probably the most common type and it will feature a sling that gathers at each end. If you have lots of trees in your yard, a Brazilian hammock would be easy to move from tree to tree depending on the area that you want to relax.
Plus, Brazilian hammocks are usually more affordable. As such, if you are pressed for cash, this one is the way to go. Alternatively, unlike Brazilian hammocks, a spreader bar hammock comes with a bar at each end where the hammock gathers. The bar helps the hammock spread out for comfort and so that it can easily fit more than one person.
Outdoor string lights
Outdoor string lights are such a vibe! Unlike those multi-colored holiday lights that you are used to seeing, outdoor string lights are a lot more elegant and an absolute necessity for one’s backyard. On a cloudy night, turn them on to create the most romantic ambiance, regardless of what the night sky might look like.
String lights are the best way to illuminate your outdoor cooking and eating sports, your patio umbrellas, or anywhere else that requires a little more lighting support. They can easily be attached to the underside of your gazebo or wound tightly through the supports of a pergola. You can even use them to dress your hedges whenever you need to make a pretty statement in your backyard.
Electric grill
Grilling is a beloved pastime for many individuals. People grill at parties, cookouts, as well as family barbecues. Cultures all around the world have a version of grilling that’s surrounded by serious rituals and traditions. Would Memorial Day even be Memorial Day without some outdoor grilling?
If you love grilling in your backyard, you may be wondering which between a traditional charcoal grill and an electric grill, you should purchase. However, if you live in an apartment or condo, the decision may already have been made for you as most rentals generally prohibit charcoal grilling for obvious reasons.
Electric grills are embedded with a hot coil, which is what provides the heat needed for grilling. The beauty of electric grills is that they are efficient and don’t take too long to heat up. Most electric grills are also designed for convenience, which means that they do not take up a lot of space and can even be utilized for cooking. Plus, electric grills are environmentally friendly as they do not release toxic substances in the air.
A fire pit
Your backyard should be a sanctuary for you and your family- a place where you can escape especially during these stir-crazy times. Having a fire pit in your backyard can help to break away from the monotony of daily life.
What’s more special than a bonding session around a wood-burning fire pit? The aftertaste of smoky hardwood, the simple delight of watching the wood crackle and the smoke rise, the fun of trading stories and sharing jokes- truly, every backyard needs a fire pit. Oh, and the marshmallows; let’s not forget the marshmallows!
As winter approaches fast and your camping plans are thwarted by the cold weather, a warm backyard is the closest thing that you will have to an out of town retreat without actually having to leave the confines of your home. If you do decide to install a fire pit in your backyard, make sure that it’s allowed by your homeowners’ association first to avoid any problems or complications later on.
An outdoor Bluetooth speaker
What’s a backyard get-together without a well-curated playlist to liven up the mood while you eat and mingle? Outdoor Bluetooth speakers are generally larger compared to indoor speakers, which means that they will provide you with louder, crisper sound.
You can install Bluetooth speakers easily by yourself so you don’t need to call a professional unless you really want to. Installing them permanently outdoors means that you do not have to constantly move them in and out of your home whenever you have to retreat from the backyard. If you intend to install them permanently outdoors, remember to set up an awning to shield the speaker from the elements.
Final Thoughts
If you have a backyard, then these outdoor accessories will help to spice it up. It doesn’t matter if you are lucky enough to have a humongous yard with a pool or are trying to add some pizzazz to your condo, these items that we have picked out above should help you to upgrade your outdoor space. And since it’s not quite clear how long this pandemic will last, upgrading your yard no matter how big or small it is will help you enjoy the little oasis that you’ll have created for yourself.
