There are just seven things I think every backyard needs! For us the backyard becomes an extension of our home. We are always looking for ways to enjoy our outdoor space more. Some of these things might be basic and you might already have, so yay! You win!! But a couple I get asked about often- like “how do you sit outside for dinner every night and not get eaten by bugs??” or “how does your backyard space stay looking so nice without a cover?” So here you go- 7 Things Every Backyard Needs….
Thank you TIKI Brand products for sponsoring this post
1- Comfortable Seating-
Well, this is a given. But has to be said! Even if you do not have a covered space for your furniture, you can still have comfortable fabric seating. Our patio is not covered. We just stand the cushions up every night so the water just rolls right off! Plus if you stand your cushions up when you are not using the space it keeps nature from getting all over the cushions and animals from making themselves at home. If you are looking to buy new outdoor furniture measure what you have now or even go over to a friends house who has outdoor furniture and measure the seat depth and height to know the size to look for online.
2- Shade
If you don’t have a covered porch you could get a pergola or a couple umbrellas. I always thought that a pergola had to be custom made, not true. You can find pergolas already made and ready to set-up on most stores online! Or just google “pergola” you can find them for great prices. We have two outdoor umbrellas on our deck. One if 9′ round and the other is 7′ round. I will advise to put them down every night. We had an umbrella break one night from the wind. So make sure to out the umbrella down at night or when not in use.
3- Mosquito Repellant
4- Accent Lights
Pretty much if you don’t have a set of string lights in your backyard or patio space you are MISSING OUT!!! Something about that glow just makes you want to linger longer. Bonus, you can actually see when the sun goes down! We had to get creative when we hung our string lights. No plugs outside make it tricky. We did try solar powered lights, they just aren’t bright enough. We ended up using an outdoor extension cord and we put it through one of the windows. It works!
5- Backyard Games
We got an oversized yard stacking set last year and LOVE it! So fun for kids of all ages. Finn just likes standing around us, watching us squeal with anticipation if the blocks are going to fall over. We also have corn hole. My mother-in-law gave her son’s corn hole to her son’s for Fathers Day, it was a great gift that we played all last year.
6- Simple Decor-
Keep outdoor decor simple! Collect a couple of accent jars and cut some fresh clippings from the yard and you have an instant center-piece. Empty glass jars are for sure a must-have for back yards. You could put a battery operated or toxic-free candle in the jars around on tables.
7- Fire Column or Fire Pit with S’mores Kit
A fire column or fire pit I think every backyard needs. We use our close to every night! Our fire column is fueled by propane, no smokey smell at the end of the night. The kids especially love roasting a s’more too. I have a simple “s’mores kit” that holds all the supplies to make a s’more! Easy to grab and head outside. And a s’mores kit makes a really great hosts gift. Just get a vintage lunch basket, fill up some mason jars with chocolate, graham crackers, marshmallows, wipes and matches.
I will be sharing more outdoor ideas on Saturday too! We painted something big in our backyard….any guesses what it is? And we got the cutest mini pool for the end of the slide. Another backyard must for kids!
Remember to click on THIS link to be taken to an email sign-up page for a 25% off your Tiki Torch order!! Plus FREE Shipping! (The 25% shows up in your cart at checkout!)
Let me guess…. the play scape.
Super cute and simple ideas 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Does the fuel smell bad?
Good question- I don’t smell it really at all…
For some reason, I am not able to get the 25% off on the Timi products even though I followed your specific link, signed up & it still does not show up in my cart or after filing in my credit card info. Can you please advise or if there is a particular code I am missing? And I look forward to following your stories EVERY DAY! You have encouraged me to love my house again! Thank you! Sue
So odd!! A lot of people said they did it that way. I wish I knew the code! Let me know if you don’t see it and I will ask my contact!
You have to check your email for the coupon code after you sign up. My code had a space in it in the email, but I took it out when I applied it because that’s the only way it would work.
Use the code “2019WELCOME” with no space. I had to try it maybe 5 different ways before the discount was applied.
I love everything Brooke! Where did you find the Tiki Table Torches? I didn’t see them on Amazon. Thanks!
What fire column do you recommend? I think you had one last year but it was out of stock when I checked on it.
Yes! this one is similar- https://rstyle.me/n/dhemt8b5qwf
The discount code doesn’t come up?
You have to check your email for the coupon code after you sign up. My code had a space in it in the email, but I took it out when I applied it because that’s the only way it would work.
Where did you purchase the tiki torches on your table? I love the two different heights. Thanks so much!