Having a stunning backyard where you can relax with your loved ones and enjoy the fresh air and good weather is priceless. Going about creating such a space may seem like an insurmountable task at first, but once you start actually planning it, you’ll realize it’s not impossible. You can even involve your loved ones in creating a unique backyard family gathering space and make it a joint effort that feels even more rewarding.
In this article, we’ll look at some really good ideas on how to design a truly amazing backyard family gathering space that will feel special and mean the world to everyone involved. You can use the ideas shared here to encourage and motivate yourself so you can create something really fantastic.
Work With Professional Backyard Designers
Sure, it’s exciting to think about designing and creating a backyard family gathering space, but do you have the technical know-how to pull off all your fabulous ideas? Chances are, you don’t. But don’t despair or feel discouraged, you can partner up with a professional landscaper or group of landscape architects to help bring all your plans to life. With their help, you can go all out and get professional advice so you don’t make any mistakes while still making your dream family-gathering area a reality.
Landscapers know all about irrigation and water systems, so you won’t have to worry about coming up with ideas that will result in flooding or water damage. You’ll work together to create a backyard family gathering space that has proper water drainage and construct the perfect drip irrigation system for your yard.
If you want to add native plants to your space (which we’ll discuss in just a bit), a professional landscaper will know how to make that happen. With expert help you’ll know what soil type you need, which plans will look best, and how to take care of them.
Incorporate Native Plants
Putting native plants in your yard will enhance it more than you’d expect because plants that belong will grow beautifully. You can really take your backyard family gathering space and turn it into something that’s really exquisite and feels like a wonderland with these plants. Of course, there are many considerations to keep in mind when landscaping with native plants, and you’ll probably have to gradually transition your yard to them. Simply buying and planting them would be a mistake, and your new plants could die before you even get to see them in their full natural glory.
It’s best to have a mixture of plants that will give you continuous color in your space, so you’ll have beauty to enjoy all year round. Work with a landscaper who specializes in native plants to determine which plants should go where, how you have to care for them, and how to ensure they’re growing healthily. You may have to use different soil than you currently have and invest in fertilizers so you’re ready to give the new plants exactly what they need. Don’t just remove the plants you currently have—they could be great companions for your new native plants and look amazing together.
Install Hardscaping Features
If you want to make your yard feel really special and make it look like the yards we only see in gardening magazines, you should consider adding hardscaping features. Hardscaping features are manmade elements that you include that will improve the functionality, look, and feel of your outdoor space. For example, a new brick walkway can add character to your yard, or river rocks serving as a garden border can make everything look more neat and attractive while still looking natural.
You should contact your local landscape designers and ask them for ideas as well as recommendations on where to shop for the best hardscaping items. You really have so many options to choose from that it can be tough to decide. For a walkway, for example, you can choose from different materials like wood, stone, rocks, and even cement or bricks. A walkway can be anywhere in your garden and will look especially good going from the backdoor to the backyard family gathering space you’ve created (or are currently creating).
Other hardscaping features include fire pits, landscape lighting, water fountains or ponds, and stone or wooden statues.
Install Sprinklers
You will find it really hard to create a lush, green, and gorgeous backyard family gathering space without installing a proper irrigation system. Even if you do have the time to water every plant and patch of grass manually, that is time better spent in your special area with your friends and family. So, install sprinklers, and don’t worry about your plants getting enough water—they will! Convenience in backyard care is an amazing thing and something we all deserve.
There are different types of sprinklers you can install, so it may be best to chat with a garden sprinkler specialist who will help you choose the ideal one for your yard. Although this installation can be a bit expensive, you’ll enjoy many benefits in the long run, which will make the monetary investment worth every penny. You’ll waste less water, which is a huge benefit, and the water will be distributed exactly as you need it to be. And if you choose a subtle in-ground system, you won’t have to be stuck with bulky and unsightly sprinklers.
Install a Patio or Pergola
Ask any outdoor architect and they’ll tell you that one of the best ways to beautify your backyard is by installing a patio or a pergola. There are many reasons to get a patio (or pergola), and the way it creates a lovely space for family gatherings is at the top of the list. Just imagine you and your loved ones spending time in your stunning backyard on the patio, watching the sun set slowly and sipping on cool drinks while you enjoy each other’s company. Pure bliss!
Of course, there are other reasons as well, such as enhancing your home’s value. You may not think about selling your home right now, but who knows what the future holds? A house with a patio is far more desirable than one without it, and you’ll get the price you want for your home. You also get to choose from many different materials when designing your patio or pergola. Pressure-treated wood and cedar wood are the favorites, but it’s really up to you and the look and feel you want.
Install a Pool
When people think about their dream homes, summer staycations, and time off from work, their thoughts usually have one thing in common—a sparkling, inviting swimming pool. What could be better than enjoying the summer sun while lying on a comfy float and forgetting about the stresses of life? It’s a wonderful thought, right? Well, if that appeals to you, you should definitely add an inground pool to your backyard family gathering space. The next time you’re having a cookout, you’ll have a swimming pool to chill in once you’re done!
You can plan other features around your pool, like a firepit, a new gazebo, outdoor furniture, and so much more. Having a pool can completely change your yard and make it the perfect gathering space for your family and friends. Not to mention the health benefits that come with swimming pools, like improved sleep, reduced stress, better weight control, stronger muscles, and better balance. With a swimming pool in the yard, it will also be easier to convince your family members to turn off their devices and spend some time outside.
Include Cozy Seating Areas
If you don’t really have the space for a swimming pool or have many lush natural spots in your yard with lovely trees and plants that are begging for more attention, you could always opt for cozy seating areas instead. Outside seating is a nice way to lure your family members outside for some quality time away from TV screens and cell phones. Plus, if you add nice lighting to these areas, you can create a really nice atmosphere for family gatherings.
You can basically create a living room outside if you have the right outdoor furniture and decorations. A wicker couch and chairs and a sturdy table are a fantastic start. Add some really comfy cushions and colorful throw pillows and you’re almost done. Have ample lighting and ensure you have some form of shade like stain-resistant curtains over a wooden frame and you’ve got the most exotic outdoor seating space ever.
You can also create cozy seating areas with stone benches or beautiful swing chairs or hammocks. It really is up to you and the kind of space you want to create for your family.
Make a Plan for Maintenance
While you’re planning your ideal backyard family gathering space, you shouldn’t forget about maintenance. Taking care of your yard and the spaces you create will ensure that they’re there for longer, and you can make more memories in them. There are many tasks to take care of when it comes to taking care of your backyard, but you can make your own life easier if you invest in features like synthetic grass. It has the same appearance and feels as normal grass without all the hard work and dedication needed for a beautiful green lawn. With that kind of grass, you don’t need to worry about fertilizer either, except for your plants.
Don’t forget to do seasonal cleanups and maintenance, such as pruning, mulching, debris removal, and so on. If all of this is too much work for you, or you simply don’t have the time, don’t be afraid of hiring a gardening service to take on all these tasks for you.
Create Privacy
One of the main concerns you may have about creating a gathering space for your family is privacy. You likely want your space to be intimate and private, so ensuring that no one else can see what you’re doing or make you uncomfortable will be something to take care of while planning your new space. Privacy fence installation is one of the best ways to ensure you block out your neighbors, the traffic, and any other unpleasant views around your house.
Of course, there are other options as well, like privacy screen panels, high and thick hedges (they’ll have to be extra tall but can be made prettier with flowers and fairy lights), and living walls. A vine-covered trellis can add some natural sophistication to your space while keeping you private. It may be necessary to find a fast-growing vine if you can’t get your hands on a trellis that’s already covered. You could also consider curtain screens if you have a gazebo. This form of privacy protection can also double as protection against annoying bugs like mosquitoes.
Don’t Forget About Pest Control
Last, but not least, you can’t forget about pest control when you’re planning on spending a lot of time outside. You can consider chemical insecticides for bugs and small critters if you’re not worried about your plants, or you can hire professionals to get rid of pests in a safe and harmless way.
If you have a squirrel problem (they’re cute but can be quite an annoyance), you should hire squirrel removal services to take care of these buggers professionally and humanely. Most pests can be sorted out by experts and should really be left to them so the problem is handled with care and caution. Even if you don’t have any pests right now, it’s a good idea to hire someone to inspect your yard because pests can be hiding where you least expect them and only get noticed once they become an issue.
You now have many awesome ideas on how to create a wonderful backyard family gathering space. The rest is up to you—will you use all the ideas here and add them to your personal design ideas, or will you use them to inspire new ideas to make your backyard truly your family’s sanctuary?