If traveling sounds tantalizingly unappealing right now, the next best thing might be turn your backyard into an oasis. We’re not talking HGTV real commitments here — no slabbing together of concrete necessary, especially when small(ish) improvements can make your backyard inviting enough to do the trick: relax and recharge.
If you don’t have a real yard, utilize whatever space is at your disposal, whether it’s a balcony, rooftop deck, front lawn or side yard. Since my front yard is roomier than my backyard, we’ve decided to fence it in and create more privacy where we can dine alfresco, or watch a fun flick under the stars — now that we have a better chance of seeing some. Here are our top 10 “backyard” sprucer ideas on a moderate budget.
1. Set up a screen outside. With all of the new releases accessible at our fingertips now, forgoing the elbow-rubbing experience with strangers at theaters and paying exorbitant prices for popcorn may not trigger nostalgia the way your favorite flick from the past might. Not when you can create a cozy outdoor cinematic movie experience and play Breakfast Club right from your backyard. You’ll need a screen and a projector, but not much more.
2. Dine alfresco. You can vary take out, but staring at the same tired walls gets stale. Outdoor dining can offer a refreshing respite from Groundhog’s Day. And as eating involves all five senses, we have no doubt your food will taste better, too. When it comes to patio furniture, an Ikea table and some chairs will more than suffice. Investing in larger table that affords the option to social distance with visitors may be worthwhile.
3. String some lights together. There’s no easier way to illuminate your private oasis on a shoestring budget than by stringing together some lights. Lights provide a truly enchanting quality, something we all desperately need right now. Other hanging decor can also work to enhance ambiance.
4. Get cozy. Nothing cues in relaxation like a hammock if you can swing it. But even some comfy cushions or blankets will encourage you to linger and lounge a while.
5. Pitch a tent. Some say the fastest way to travel is through a book. If you’re a kid, I believe the fastest way to travel is by pitching a tent. Something about being enclosed in a raised piece of fabric has the ability to transport a child – and the child in you – into an imaginative world. Don’t be surprised if your kids end up making their tent their new home.
6. Provide some shade. With summer right around the corner, a bit of shade is necessary to keep cool while permeating those vacay vibes. This might be the perfect time to invest in that veranda, but a parasol will work just fine.
7. Plant something. Flowers and other greenery are nice to look at and add fragrant value. But let’s not forget they also produce edible fruit. Why not plant some herbs and do little farm to outdoor table?
8. Inflate a pool. Every oasis has water. If you don’t have a real pool, don’t discount the value of an inflatable. Kids can splash around in water for hours, even if the water is encased in a giant tube. There are plenty of inflatable pools that can fit a whole family so you can dip your toes too.
9. Roast some ‘smores. An outdoor fire pit would be great right about now. But enterprising developments now allow you to enjoy a bonfire for as little as $28. Radiate makes portable campfires in a can. So you can plop one on of these like a giant can of tuna on your outdoor table and roast some marshmallow without so much as seeing an ember fly.
10. Support the active life. Sometimes a little movement is the break you need from monotony. Hotels and vacation rentals lure guests with amenities like putting greens and ping-pong tables to serve this purpose. But simple as backyard games could give you something relaxing to do.
And then there are those intangible qualities of travel like those connections you make on the road you can’t DIY. While you can’t make friends with other tourists right now, you certainly can with locals – your locals.
How many of us know really know our neighbors after all? With the majority of the population homebound, this is a great opportunity to look no further than our backyard to make new acquaintances and friendships. Truth be told, I met my neighbor just four houses down for the first time last week. And I’ve lived here eight years! Just sitting in my front lawn these past few weeks has afforded more opportunity than the last eight years to make meet passersby – sans handshake – who live on my block. Not to mention that socializing from a distance is the most manageable and easy to execute with people next door who have access to their own bathrooms.