Table of Contents
Backyard Staycation Ideas
Backyard Camping
Getting into the great outdoors doesn’t have to mean long, elaborate road trips. You can have some family fun right in your own backyard. Plus, it’s an excellent way to test out your nature skills and make sure your equipment is up to par before heading out into nature.
Candlelight Dinner
Dim the lights, spark a few candles, and prepare your favorite meal because garden-side dinners are going to be your new favourite date night activity. Enjoying the sounds of nature, the refreshingly cool night breeze, and the freedom from distractions will turn your patio set into the ultimate couple’s retreat where you can disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other. Be sure to adjust your landscape lighting for the perfect amount of dim.
Poolside Pina Coladas
If you’re itching for a tropical getaway but are stuck in the pine-tree landscapes of Canada, you can recreate the resort vibe right in your backyard with a little bit of imagination and proper preparation. Pack your beach bag with the necessities—sunblock, beach towel, trashy novel, sunhat, shades, and that adorable cover-up—then break out the blender for your favorite frozen drink recipe. And if the Pina Coladas have you going past sundown, just switch on your landscape lighting for more poolside fun.
Outdoor Cinema Night
Love the movies? Give your backyard an outdoor drive-in kind of vibe on a budget with a DIY white screen, a low-cost projector, and Bluetooth speakers. Complete the mood by creating a comfortable seating arrangement, popping fresh popcorn, and stocking up on the snacks. Adjusting your landscape lighting to tone down your down lights and brighten your up lights will also help to recreate the drama of the theatre.
Backyard Picnics
Something as simple as heading outdoors and sprawling across a cozy throw blanket can really spruce up your lunchtime routine. To prepare for a picnic, grab your favorite blanket (and maybe a few comfy pillows) and choose a relaxing spot in the shade. For food, simple arrangements are better. Prepare light sandwiches, a yummy cheese board, and pre-cut fruit for a grazeable meal. And if you want to make the picnic romantic, plan your picnic for the later hours and use your outdoor landscaping to set the mood (and make it easier to see what you’re eating).
Lazy Reading Sessions
If your trips are usually all about relaxation, bring that into your backyard space. Create a cozy reading nook or hangout area by stringing some hammocks along your tree line or dedicating a space to comfortable seating. Add in lots of pillows and blankets for comfort and install lighting that will allow you to enjoy the area at any time of the day (or night).
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Prepping Your Back Yard For A Staycation
If your backyard is still lackluster (even after a bit of creativity), you may want to invest a little bit of time and money into it. The good news is, with all the money and time you’ll be saving on those pricey flights and hotel stays, it’ll be easier to dedicate a little bit of your budget to sprucing up your outdoor areas.
When prepping your yard for a summer full of backyard staycations be sure to focus on these main elements
- Clean, Trim, Shape – It’s hard to enjoy any space that is overgrown, dirty, and boring. Start your backyard oasis transformation by cleaning up debris, trimming back overgrown foliage, and planting something pretty to look at. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, but small finishing touches will make a difference.
- Define Outdoor Spaces – Give yourself variety by sectioning off an array of cozy little corners in your backyard. Add purposeful seating and paver bricks around your campfire, soften your patio sofa with overhead fabric, and create an intimate dining area by installing a terraced gazebo overhead. The key is to make each place its own unique destination while still working together with other spaces.
- Functionality – The best landscape designs go beyond pretty and also make the spaces functional. Choose furniture, fixtures, and pathing that will make it easy to enjoy your outdoor space. After all, it’s hard to relax on any vacation if things are difficult and stressful.
- Entertainment – Giving yourself something to do in your outdoor space will give you more reason to go out there. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to go all out and have everything either. Choosing one or two outdoor activities you really love, then focusing your yard on that will make for a summer full of backyard joy. Options might include: building a firepit, installing a small pool, creating a cozy book nook, or investing in an outdoor cinema.
- Landscape Lighting – Lighting has the power to transform any space. Investing in professional landscape lighting can help you highlight the features you love, give you the power to change and control the mood, and quickly switch into vacation mode at the end of a long day.
Pro Tip: Section your lighting system so that you can control the mood in individual spaces. For instance, darkening your pool and brightening your outdoor dining room will create a natural pull for you to enjoy the space.
Let us help you with your backyard oasis
It’s easy to be lured by the seductiveness of unknown, exotic locations. But, when it comes to creating sustainable enjoyment, invest your vacation budget into creating an outdoor space you’ll want to retreat to everyday. At GTA Irrigation & Lighting, we know how to add dimension to your landscape and create spaces you can use all night long.
Mike Moran
Hello! I'm one of the co-owner's of GTA Irrigation & Lighting. I write about topics that will help you get the most of of your outdoor living spaces. You can get all of my new articles sent direct to your inbox, just subscribe below.