4 Awesome Design Ideas For Your Backyard

Sometimes, it can feel like the neighbors' awesome backyards are overshadowing yours. No matter how much work you put into keeping a nice, well-groomed and clean backyard, thinking outside the box in regards to its design can sometimes go a long way in making it a little more exciting. Here are four awesome design ideas to spruce up your backyard.

Put In a Swimming Pool

Perhaps the ultimate upgrade you can give a backyard is putting in a swimming pool. With the addition of a pool, your yard can suddenly become a haven from the warm weather and a great gathering space for friends and family. Plus, with the health benefits of lap swimming well-documented, putting in a swimming pool can also act as a home gym that you can swim in for exercise. Whether you're looking to wow your guests with the best swimming pool designs in Austin or simply have a functional and refreshing relaxation and workout space, a swimming pool can do wonders for your backyard. Some may view the costs of putting in a pool and performing the necessary work to keep it clean as too costly, however with all of the different uses you can get out of a backyard pool, it may very well pay off in the long run.

Add a Bar

Speaking of having people over, nothing will revamp your backyard for outdoor gatherings quite like the addition of an open-air bar. Being able to entertain is a staple of any great backyard, and having a space where people can congregate is an easy way to inject some energy into your outdoor space. It's no secret that people flock to outdoor bars in warm weather, and having one in your yard will be a convenient way to recreate the aesthetic of a popular patio bar without the cost of going out. You will also become the go-to host of most family parties and be able to show off your backyard space to family, friends and neighbors while having them over for drinks. A backyard bar completely changes the dynamic of your house into one that is ripe for entertainment, and if you have the space and means, adding a bar can make your backyard a top-tier gathering spot.

Create a Designated Game Space

To make your backyard an enjoyable gathering place for friends and family, think about potential activities that everyone can partake in when outside. Designating part of your yard as a game space for lawn games such as corn hole and horseshoes is a great way to create activities for guests to partake in when they are in your backyard. This game space goes well with a pool or outdoor bar, as your guests can linger in different areas of your yard to their liking. A game space will also be a convenient feature of the yard that you can use with your immediate family for bonding and quality time together during the week. 

Make it Kid-Friendly

Few activities ignite the imaginations of children like playing outside. Everyone grows up playing in yards, and making your backyard kid-friendly will enhance the functionality of your outdoor space while making it a destination for your kids and their friends. Putting in a playground set is one conventional way to do this, along with items such as trampolines or swings. Other strategies for kid-friendly yards include setting up a miniature baseball diamond or sports field as well as creating a safe, flat and uninterrupted stretch of lawn where kids are free to play.

Putting in a swimming pool, adding a bar, creating a designated game space and making a kid-friendly outdoor area are all ways to take your backyard design skills to the next level. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get to work on your backyard. When you convert it into a design you're proud of, you'll be the talk of the neighborhood.