When you have a great outdoor space, you want it to be an area the whole family can enjoy together. This is especially true with summer being just around the corner — you don’t want the kids spending their time cooped up inside on their phones or tablets. So, what do you need to do to create a family-friendly outdoor area? Let’s take a look at a few tips.
DIY Certain Elements
Not only can outdoor spaces be kid-friendly, but kids can also help create the outdoor space. So start with some basic DIY projects the kids can help with — building bird houses, planting some flowers, and even just painting a fence can make the area more welcoming for kids. It will also give them something to be proud of and an area they can show off to their friends and family. DIY projects give a touch of personalization to any area.
Include a Cooking Area
One activity every family can enjoy together is eating. And while 14% of homeowners planned to remodel their kitchens in 2018, you can bring the kitchen outside as well. Adding a grill or even a full outdoor kitchen can make cooking and eating together outside easier than ever before. And with the ability to request a free copy of your credit report every 12 months, making sure you have the ability to finance a remodel is an important step. Having a cooking area outside can bring the family together for cookouts and late-night snacks on a warm summer night.
Utilize the Space You Have
You don’t have to completely remodel your backyard in order to use it — it’s always a great idea to simply use the space you have. Investing in some basic landscape services can help you get started, especially with 33% of landscaping companies saying landscape maintenance was their fastest growing service in 2016. Once your lawn is trimmed and the trees are tamed, break up your yard into different areas. Have a designated play area, a spot for gardening, and a place to sit down and eat together. Instead of spending a lot of time and money completely redoing your outdoor space, make use of what you already have.
Have Both Sun and Shade Spots
While it’s great for kids to get outside and play in the sun, it’s important to have some shade spots as well. On a hot summer day, you want the kids to be able to stay outside but still cool off — planting a tree or investing in an umbrella can ensure everyone has a cool spot to retreat to when the sun gets too hot. This will help you utilize your outdoor space more instead of having people come inside when it gets too hot. Or if you and your kids are some of the 36.7 million yoga participants in the U.S., then you’ll have a nice shady area to do your yoga outside on a nice warm day. Shade is just as important as sun when it comes to using an outdoor space.
The beginning of summer is a great time to focus on your outdoor area. Whether you have a huge backyard oasis or a small grassy area, make it work — with these simple tips, you and your family can enjoy your outdoor space all summer long.
