Dreaming of an outdoor space that’s perfect for the whole family?
Who isn’t!
Whether it’s weekend BBQs, lazy Sunday lunches or just spending more time together outside… Creating a backyard entertaining area for your family changes everything.
The problem?
Thinking it’s difficult and expensive.
Most people make their backyard into Pinterest projects that never get finished. If you start off with the right mindset, you’ll realise building a family-friendly entertaining space is simple.
Easy to understand, not necessarily fast to build.
Your backyard entertaining area just needs to be built the right way.
Lesson Breakdown
- Why Building a Backyard Entertaining Space for Your Family Is Important
- Pool Surface Preparation Is Key
- The 6 Features Every Family Backyard Entertaining Area Needs
- Wrapping It All Up
Why Building a Backyard Entertaining Space for Your Family Is Important
Think backyard entertaining areas are just nice-to-have?
Think again.
Outdoor entertaining areas have moved past a luxury and are now considered a necessity for almost every homeowner. Here’s why…
Statistics show that 98% of home experts agree that having an updated outdoor entertaining space positively affects your home’s value. We’re talking nearly 100% chance it will help you when it’s time to sell. That’s a big deal.
Outdoor entertaining spaces benefit more than just your wallet though.
They provide your family with a space to unwind, have fun and create lasting memories. Truth is, if you build it right your new backyard entertaining area will become the heart of your home when the weather is nice. It becomes where everyone wants to spend their time.
And that is the goal.
Pool Surface Preparation Is Key
Alright, so you might not have a pool. But if you do, listen up.
If you own a pool, no matter how big or small, your pool deck is the foundation your backyard entertaining space is built on.
Pool surface preparation is the first thing you should think about doing. No professionally installed pool surround will look good on a pool deck with cracks, stains or rough patches.
Before you start adding furnishings and other features around your pool, make sure the pool itself is in good shape. You should be checking for damaged areas and giving it a good cleaning. If there is old paint or pool coating remaining you’ll want to remove it so that the new surface can adhere to your pool’s shell properly.
Has the pool seen better days?
Then the best bet is to hire a professional for swimming pool resurfacing services. Not only will a newly resurfaced pool look amazing, but so will the pool deck area.
It’s the foundation of your backyard entertaining space after all.
Pro Tip: Don’t wait until the pool starts losing water before thinking about pool resurfacing.
The 6 Features Every Family Backyard Entertaining Area Needs
Everything up until now has been the preparation for your backyard entertainment space. Here are the features that will turn it into your family’s favorite place to be.
Zones, Zones, Zones
The most common mistake homeowners make when they’re thinking about building an outdoor entertaining space…
They treat the yard as one giant area.
Instead, you want to create zones for specific activities. Take your backyard and divide it up into sections of different uses.
A kitchen zone, lounging area, play zone for kids and dining area. Just like the inside of your home looks. (Except with way better weather).
Having these zones will allow your family (and guests) to do their own thing while still enjoying being outside together. Currently, 64% of homeowners are using their outdoor spaces for more than 1 activity. And that number is only increasing.
Outdoor Kitchen & Dining Area
One thing is for sure… If you want to keep your family outside, you need to feed them.
You don’t have to go over-the-top with a luxury outdoor kitchen setup. You could even start with something as simple as a killer BBQ grill, some prep area and dining table big enough to fit your family.
The key is making life easier by having an area to comfortably cook outdoors.
Pro tip: Always add cover to your dining area. Whether that’s a pergola, shade sail or an umbrella. When it’s nice out nobody wants to eat dinner in the sun. Your outdoor dining area should have some sort of shade.
Comfortable Seating Is A Must
This is where most homeowners go wrong with their backyard…
They buy cheap furniture that falls apart after one season. Then when they’re ready to upgrade they end up buying… More cheap furniture.
DON’T DO THIS!
Investing in quality outdoor furniture that is built to withstand Mother Nature is key. Not only will the furniture look better but it will be more comfortable. And comfort is what will ultimately make or break your backyard entertaining area.
Think about it, if you’re not comfortable lounging in your backyard why would your family be?
Get a variety of seating options, large sectionals for group hangs, chairs around a fire pit, loungers by the pool. Whatever suits your lifestyle and gives everyone a space they enjoy.
Fire Pits Are Family Friendly
Fire pits and fire tables have become one of the most popular backyard additions for families.
Not only can they be used year-round (depending on where you live) but they create a natural gathering spot. It doesn’t matter if you’re roasting hot dogs for the kids or relaxing by yourself around a fire. They’re fantastic for creating ambiance and keeping people together.
Your fire feature can be as simple as a portable propane fire table or something fancy like a built-in gas fire pit. There’s many options to choose from that can suit your family’s needs.
Fun For The Kids
Kids aren’t often thought about when homeowners start building their backyard from scratch. But they’re important.
If the kids aren’t entertained and enjoying themselves outdoors, nobody’s happy.
Make sure you include things for your kids to do outdoors whether that’s a splash pad near your pool. An area dedicated to playing games or even something as simple as a sandbox.
Anything that will encourage your kids to go outside and play instead of being stuck on electronics all day.
When the kids are happy entertaining themselves, parents can relax.
Everyone wins.
The Right Lighting
Here’s what can make or break your backyard entertaining area…
Lighting.
Okay, perhaps that’s dramatic. But adding the right lighting to your backyard really does make it.
Don’t be afraid to mix different styles of lighting as well. String lights for ambience, pathway lights to safely walk around by and even underwater pool lights. If you really want to go all out you can install a smart home lighting system. That way you can control all your lights from your phone. It doesn’t get much more convenient than that!
Wrapping It All Up
Building a backyard entertaining space that your whole family will love really comes down to common sense.
Start with these important things and you’ll be set. Here’s a quick recap:
- Make sure your pool surface is ready to go.
- Create different zones for activities.
- Invest in the right furniture. Comfort is key.
- Don’t forget the fire and lighting.
- Make sure your kids will have fun.
Your backyard entertaining space doesn’t need to be built overnight.
Start with some of these areas and build off them. Your family will thank you later.
