We all dream about making our outdoor space into a backyard oasis — one that our friends and family can’t wait to spend time in and maybe even makes our neighbors a little bit jealous!
If you’re looking for ways to take your backyard from stressful to serene, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled our favorite simple tips and tricks for bringing life back outside.
From playing with elements (like fire and water) for a relaxing atmosphere to adding a little hygge to your space, you’ll be sure to find plenty of ideas to incorporate into your own backyard oasis.
How To Create Your Dream Backyard Oasis
the overall look and feel of your backyard, so it’s important to take the time to plan your landscaping. This will give your outdoor space a sophisticated vibe and help keep things cohesive.
Separate Your Zones
If you’re planning on using your backyard oasis for multiple activities, as many of us do, it’s worth considering splitting your space into different zones according to their function.
By creating a dedicated space for lounging and relaxing versus separate areas for dining, lively conversations, or playing (for the kids), you can keep your backyard functional while allowing room for various activities.
Sound too complex? A simple yet effective way to create separate zones in your backyard is by using rugs to define each space.
This helps build a warm, cozy foundation for each area (particularly the lounging and relaxing zone that every backyard oasis needs!), not to mention adding style and sophistication to your backyard.
Try our range of newly restocked Eco-Friendly Rugs on for size. They come in a variety of neutral colors and sizes and pair perfectly with all furniture. Made from recycled plastic bottles transformed into soft woven fibers, they’re easy to keep clean and look great in any space.
Fill Your Space With Comfortable Seating
A key feature of the perfect backyard oasis is ensuring there’s plenty of seating available for you and your guests to enjoy. You want anyone who visits your space to feel instantly welcomed and comfortable, and a cozy couch is a simple way to invoke that!
Think about how often you might be entertaining friends and family to help you decide exactly how much seating you’ll need.
This will also depend on how much space you want to fill in your backyard. Keep it proportionate by selecting a piece (or multiple pieces) of outdoor furniture that takes up a good amount of room without making the area feel cramped.
From our 2-seater Teak Outdoor Loveseat to our 8-seater Wicker Outdoor U Sectional, Outer furniture is designed to suit any backyard oasis.
What’s more, all Outer pieces are resistant to stains, mold, dirt, fading, and rust, so no matter what the weather (or the kids!) throws at it, it will bounce back every time.
In addition to our OuterShell™ — the built-in protective cover that comes with every Outer seat cushion — our All-Weather Covers provide year-round protection, so you never have to worry about upkeep for your backyard seating during cooler months.
Say goodbye to high-maintenance outdoor seating and hello to set-and-forget comfort!
Hygge Your Space
The Danish concept of hygge is all about bringing a sense of coziness to your space. In this case, we like to think of it as bringing the comforts of indoor living outside to your backyard oasis!
While hygge doesn’t just involve adding physical items to your space, that can definitely be your first step. Next comes spending quality time with loved ones in your backyard oasis — enjoying fun experiences like backyard camping or outdoor movie night.
But for now, some simple ways to hygge your space include adding ambient lighting (think string lights or softly-lit lanterns), incorporating candles, and packing your couch full of soft blankets and throw pillows to keep everyone comfortable.
Add Warmth With A Firepit
From modern fire tables to classic in-ground firepits, adding warmth to your backyard oasis using the element of fire is a clever way to create a focal point within your seating zone.
Firepits come in a variety of designs and materials, so it’s easy to find a style that suits the look and feel of your outdoor space.
Thanks to their popularity, firepits are easy to purchase pre-made. But if you’re looking for a fun DIY project that’s surprisingly quick and simple to put together, check out our guide to do-it-yourself firepit options here.
On top of functionality, firepits look incredible and can actually add value to your home when they’re done right. For us, it’s a necessity when it comes to creating a welcoming outdoor space!
Turn Camping Into Glamping
The only thing better than camping is having a designated spot to sleep outside in style.
Glamping is essentially camping in comfort. Imagine entering a tent to find a mattress where you’d expect a sleeping bag, plenty of outdoor throw pillows and blankets, and even a decorative rug.
The best part about glamping is that it can be as simple or extravagant as you want it to be.
To start, find your ideal yurt or a fully-enclosed luxury tent and make sure you have a platform that’s large enough to fit the new accommodations. Then decorate it to your liking.
Try furnishing the bedside with shelves to hold books and games for entertainment throughout the night. You can add tapestry along the sides or even place some resilient plants for some greenery.
A nearby power source or exterior solar panels add the possibility of having a small space heater, string lighting, or even a television. The entire camping experience just got a whole lot better.
Once your glamping space is all set, it won’t be long until it becomes the go-to place for your adventurous friends to spend a cool summer evening or the perfect spot for the kids to have a comfortable night outdoors.
Dress Up Your Space With Color
Not only do brightly colored accessories look beautiful against a neutral backdrop like Outer furniture, but colors also play a huge role in our minds’ ability to wind down and relax.
Hues of blue and green are particularly well-known for providing calming feelings, but allow yourself to get creative and dress up your space with whichever colors you love.
We also recommend experimenting with different textures and patterns to create a backyard oasis that shows your personality. This can also be a fun way to change up your outdoor space depending on upcoming events or seasons since accessories are so easy to switch out!
Liven The Night With Sound
Silent nights are meant for snowy winters — give your backyard the ambiance it needs by adding some outdoor speakers.
From playing your favorite music to listening to the big game, quality outdoor speakers are magical for parties or just a relaxing night outside with your closest friends.
Options range from mounted to Bluetooth speakers, and some are even discreet in their design. These styles, for example, might look like rocks that blend in with the scenery around your pond or lanterns with a flickering flame effect to place right on your outdoor coffee table.
No matter which style you choose, just make sure they’re weatherproof and ready to make the night unforgettable.
Give Your Backyard A Theme
Your backyard design can be taken to the next level when you add a theme to the space. This can emphasize your own personal interests and offer a unique touch that is distinctly you.
Choosing a theme doesn’t mean you have to overwhelm the yard with trinkets. Simple themes can be strong and effective, like an ornate courtyard with aluminum or a woodland garden with matte black wicker furnishings.
Incorporating a theme throughout the yard can make it feel like its own secluded world. Strategically place tropical plants and a hammock or two to add a beach vibe, or design a pond with some stone accents and bright colors to create a peaceful zen garden.
At the end of the day, a theme really just gives you the opportunity to make your yard your own.
Relax By The Water
Who doesn’t love the tranquility that comes from the sound of a babbling brook or gentle stream? There’s a reason those sounds are used during meditation and in ambient noise machines — they’re relaxing!
Adding an element of water to your backyard oasis can enhance your space and make it somewhere you truly look forward to spending time.
But you don’t have to add a whole pool to your backyard to enjoy the relaxation factor that trickling water can provide. Try incorporating a small hot tub or stylish water feature into your backyard, and enjoy unwinding outdoors.
And, if you are looking for something a bit more reminiscent of a pool for your family and friends to relax in, stock tank pools are a small and manageable option without the big commitment of a traditional pool.
Make Sure There’s Enough Shade
Even if you’re a huge sun-lover, there are going to be times when you want to relax on your outdoor couch without getting burnt to a crisp.
Ensuring your backyard oasis has enough shade to cover at least a portion of your seating area is key to enjoying your outdoor space for years to come.
Not all of us are lucky enough to have mature trees providing shade in our backyards. If you fall into that category, try using a large patio umbrella to block out some of those UV rays and make your outdoor space more comfortable.
Other options for a permanent structure include pergolas and awnings to add a bit more comfort to your space when the sun comes out.
Add An Outdoor Kitchen And Bar
When your backyard becomes an outdoor haven, you’ll want to start doing everything there. Why leave cooking out of the mix?
Adding an outdoor kitchen can be an expansion of the style you already have in your yard, or it can be its own standout part of your home.
Rustic outdoor kitchens use elements like wood and stone to create a more natural look. This style feels like a continuation of the outdoors and pairs well with teak furniture. Contemporary kitchens are sleeker with a modern feel that goes just right with an aluminum collection.
And what’s an outdoor kitchen without a bar to go with it? Just bring a few of your favorite bottles outside and entertain your guests with cocktails as they admire your backyard oasis!
Keep The Drinks And Snacks Close By
For the nights that your guests are cozy and warm by the fire, what oasis would be complete without drinks and snacks on hand? Even if you don’t have the space to build an entire outdoor kitchen, you can still make this work.
In addition to your classic coffee table option for holding food and drinks — a must-have, in our opinion! — try adding a mini-fridge or portable bar cart to keep your beverages close by.
These are especially handy during an outdoor movie or game night when you don’t want to leave your cozy blanket cocoon to pour yourself another drink or stock up on treats.
What To Know Before Getting Started
Once you’ve decided on the ideal look that your space is going to have, it’s tempting to drop everything and dive into the project. Here are a few key things to remember before you turn your dream space into a reality.
Plan For Your Vision
Keep in mind that not everything you want will make the cut. Organize your ideal backyard project into must-haves, things that can wait, and features that you could live without.
It’s also helpful to think of the bigger items first that will contribute to the bulk of the cost and space. Think water features, pergolas, decks, and similar things.
Understand The Regulations
Every city will have different requirements and restrictions when it comes to building, even in your own backyard. Knowing the specific rules for where you live will prevent you from having to tear down your dream project or getting an unexpected fine.
First and foremost, find out if a permit is required for construction projects. In certain areas, ponds are common features that might need a permit before getting started. It’s also critical to call your local utility companies to determine whether you’d be digging near buried lines.
If something feels like it might need further legal approval, then it’s better to be safe than sorry by verifying any necessary steps.
Choose To DIY Or Hire Professionally
This is a big one that can make a major difference in your project’s outcome. While some parts of the process are fit for DIY, others might benefit from hiring a professional to do the work.
Safety is perhaps the most important part of determining whether or not to do something on your own. Tasks requiring electrical work, machine operation, or similar trade skills should be done professionally so the backyard of your dreams doesn’t become a hazard down the road.
Consider Maintenance
Everything you build in your backyard will need to be taken care of. Understanding how to properly maintain each part of your project will ensure that your oasis stays well-kept for as long as possible.
Some products require less care than others. Our teak furniture collection, for example, contains natural oils that prevent wear over time from rot, pests, and other deterioration. This makes the cleaning process on your end simple as can be!
Cleaning your outdoor teak furniture means lightly brushing with a mild detergent and water mix at the end of the season. Since teak is so great at naturally staying clean, regular heavy maintenance is not required.
So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the backyard with your family and friends without having to worry too much about extensive cleaning. Choose the furniture that does most of the work for you!
Make Your Backyard Oasis A Reality With Outer
From sprucing up your outdoor space with landscaping to incorporating hygge techniques to add warmth, our list of tips and tricks for creating your own backyard oasis can guide you each step of the way.
Be sure to fill your backyard with comfortable seating to enjoy after a long week. Outer’s range of outdoor furniture comes in a variety of sizes and styles to complete your space and make your guests feel right at home.
With our numerous options — like the 2-seater Teak Outdoor Loveseat and the 8-seater Wicker Outdoor U Sectional — you’re sure to find the perfect addition to your backyard oasis from Outer.