5 Must-Have Accessories For A Perfect Backyard
For many homeowners, the ideal backyard oasis is a dream. It’s a space to relax, entertain, appreciate nature, and do much more… without leaving your property.
But what makes a backyard perfect?
Though personal preference has much to do with it, some accessories give an outdoor space that extra “wow.” Here, we’ll explore five must-have elements of outdoor accessories to take your backyard from ho-hum to heavenly—a place you’ll never want to leave.
1. Comfortable Seating
Nowadays, hammocks for sale seem to be everywhere, and there’s a reason for that. Just about any backyard needs a comfortable place to sit or lounge. While hammocks are great for relaxation, they are only one of many seating solutions. Consider a mix of seating options to accommodate multiple activities and different tastes.
For dining, provide a rugged table with weather-resistant chairs. Also, use teak, aluminum, or high-grade resin wicker for element resistance. If the space permits, create a lovely, distinct lounge area with comfortable sofas or armchairs designed for outdoor usage. Add colorful cushions and throw pillows to personalize the space further.
Bean bags, floor seating, or even suspended seats are also viable ideas. These can be moved around and easily stored away when needed, offering flexibility in your backyard design.
2. Shade Solutions
While soaking in the rays is one of the benefits of having a backyard, too much sun can be uncomfortable and even harmful. Incorporating shade solutions is crucial for creating a perfect outdoor space.
A large patio umbrella will be classic, providing adjustable shade over the dining area or lounge space. If you want more permanent shade coverage, consider installing a pergola or retractable awning. They both provide shade but add so much architectural interest to the backyard.
If you have trees in your yard, make sure not to let the shade they provide go to waste by positioning seating areas under them. You can also create cozy, shaded nooks with outdoor curtains or shade sails, which come in a wide range of colors and styles, matching any look you may have in your backyard.
3. Outdoor Lighting
Good lighting will allow one to maximize the use of their backyard. This stretches the usage of your outdoor space well into the late evening hours of magic.
Begin with functional lighting, including pathway and step lights for pathways, steps, and dining areas. Solar stake lights are an excellent green solution for walkways to illuminate these areas. Wall-mounted lights are suitable for focused illumination of specific areas.
String lights across your seating area or around the trunks of trees and pergolas can add an ambient glow. Lanterns suspended from above or placed on tables can deliver warm, inviting light. Fire features—either tiki torches or some type of centralized fire pit—can serve as good lighting, focus, and warmth in colder conditions.
Don’t forget about task lighting if you plan to use your backyard for reading, grilling, or other tasks. Adjustable spotlights or clip-on book lights are helpful in their own right.
4. Water Feature
A water feature can help to tranquilize your backyard. The sound caused by running water has soothing effects; sometimes, it can cover undesirable sounds from the street or neighbors.
The choices of water features are endless, ranging from a tabletop fountain to full-scale in-ground holding ponds complete with a waterfall. Use the ones that best fit your space and your maintenance preference.
If you have a small yard or perhaps a patio, a tiny, self-contained fountain would be great for low-maintenance purposes. However, if you have more space, energy, and resources for upkeep, it would be grand to have one or two koi ponds or even an entire cascading waterfall.
If you’re handy, consider building a DIY water feature with large pots and bamboo or reused materials like old watering cans and wine bottles. These would be unique, notable additions to the yard with very little investment.
5. Outdoor Kitchen or Grill Station
Nothing can be better for many than cooking and dining in the fresh air, and a perfect backyard should include an outdoor kitchen or grill station.
You could include a high-quality stand-alone grill combined with a small prep area. Then, turning to the other extreme of the investment spectrum, you could also include a full-blown outdoor kitchen with a built-in grill, refrigerator, sink, and counter space to prepare one’s food.
As you plan your outdoor cooking space, remember that you’ll want it close to your indoor kitchen and protected from the elements. You should also consider storage for utensils and other supplies.
Also, be sure to provide decent seating nearby so you can socialize while still being able to tend to whatever is on the grill or cooking surface. Even if you can’t quite pull off a full outdoor kitchen, you can still complete a very functional grill station with a rolling cart for prep work and storage and a stout grill. All this can be a very effective setup for hosting backyard barbecues and dinner parties.
Conclusion
Creating the perfect backyard is more than just acquiring these accessories—it’s about combining them to create a cohesive, inviting space.
If you want to carve out a hidden corner just to curl up with some good reading or relaxation, or perhaps you want an outdoorsy party spot for getting wild with friends and family—or maybe a place that’s totally both—these are five basic accessories to help you start finding your perfect outdoor haven.
Add comfortable seating, plenty of shade, thoughtful lighting, a soothing water feature, and space for outdoor cooking, and you will be well on your way to achieving the perfect, genuinely you-centric backyard.