Last summer we made an unexpected move to a different rental house in our area. The biggest reason we chose this specific house was the incredible backyard! Most backyards in our community are pretty tiny, and while this one is small it is one of the few we have seen that has real grass and shade! You wouldn’t think that combination would be difficult to find, but it is haha. Since we moved in last summer we have worked to turn our backyard into a space that is fun for the kids, inviting for entertaining our friends, and enjoyable despite the intense summer heat! Today I thought it would be fun to share my tips on how to turn your backyard into an oasis this summer!
Start with Shade!
If you already have shade, fantastic! If you don’t, or you want to add more, look into movable shade options that are cost effective and easy to install. Our current house has an attached covered patio, but we added this patio umbrella from Abba Patio for some additional shade over our grassy area and it’s awesome!
Our last house had absolutely zero shade, and got miserably hot. We purchased this pergola because it was the most cost effective with the best reviews and we loved it! Find more pictures of it installed in THIS POST.
Water Features!
Having grass gives us quite a few options for water play beyond a blow up pool! I found a couple splash pads at our local Ross, but here is a similar one from Amazon! This ball sprinkler is always a hit, and I’d love to add a water table sometime this summer as well.
We used this blow up pool for a couple years and it was tons of fun too! Might have to bring it back this summer!
Games!
Our house is really small, so when my kids complain of boredom I love kicking them outside to find something to do! We spent some time adding lots of kid friendly activities to our backyard space which have been a hit for both our kids, and their friends. Here are some of our favorites!
Playhouse // found HERE, see the complete makeover HERE!
Basketball hoop // HERE
Swing // HERE
Soccer net // HERE
Sidewalk chalk // HERE
Cozy Vibes
Turn your backyard into an oasis this summer by creating a cozy and inviting space for people to spend time together! Our patio furniture was thrifted, but here are my other favorites for bringing that cozy vibe to your space!
A washable rug // this one is our favorite because it’s stylish and you can just hose it off! Low maintenance and design friendly!
Bistro lighting // these lights are my favorite! Cost effective, easy to hang, and the perfect bulb size!
Fire pit // every backyard needs a fire pit! This one is super affordable and is the perfect size for small gatherings!
Boho wall hangings // I love the look of macrame curtains, but they can get pricey! These are a good alternative and have held up in the Vegas heat and windstorms for nearly a year with no issues!
We are already spending most of our days outside and enjoying every minute of sunshine and warmth! We basically live in our swimsuits now, and Kortni Jeane is our go-to place for cute and lasting suits for the whole family! They have the cutest matching options for the whole family (dad included!) and tons of mix and match options. Shop their newest prints and styles (featured in the above pictures) HERE!
I hope you enjoyed these tips and use them to turn your backyard into an oasis this summer!