As the weather heats up, homeowners almost always gravitate toward their back yards, inviting friends and family over for cookouts and holiday parties. If you’re lucky, you’ve created an oasis that makes gatherings more enjoyable. Even if you don’t have the nicest back yard in town, you can add little touches that will make your get-togethers more fun for everyone.
Outdoor Kitchen
If you’re tired of traipsing food from your kitchen to the grill and back again all summer, an outdoor kitchen is a great option. You can make it as elaborate or as simple as you’d like, from food prep counters and barstools to outdoor sinks and refrigerators. You don’t have to limit yourself to what you can throw on the grill, either. Brick ovens open up your outdoor cooking possibilities to pizzas, bread, vegetables, and desserts.
Tiki Bar
Tiki bars have become more affordable than ever in recent years, with homeowners realizing what a great addition they make to outdoor areas. You can set up your bar by a pool, on a patio, or in the middle of your back yard and instantly start serving drinks to your guests. Not only does a tiki bar offer a convenient place to mix drinks, it adds a tropical island feel to your back yard.
Outdoor Shower
Outdoor showers and baths have evolved in recent years. Once reserved for encouraging cleanliness around pool areas, these bathing areas can be set up to provide a private shower or bath in your own back yard. If you live near the beach or on a lake, these bathing areas can also have the added benefit of keeping sand and mud out of your home.
Hot Tub
If you can’t afford a pool, a hot tub may be a more reasonable option. While hot tubs usually cost thousands of dollars, they’re still far cheaper than an in-ground pool and they can be installed within days of purchase. Instead of lounging around the pool with all of your friends, you can gather in the hot tub to relax. When friends aren’t around, you can use the hot tub whenever you need to relax and unwind after a tough week.
If you kick off the summer with a small back yard upgrade, you’ll make your back yard more enjoyable. Friends and family will enjoy visiting and your own family will be able to get out of the house and spend time together, rather than sitting on the sofa, staring at the TV during the warmest months of the year.
