Disclosure: I am a member of the Sears Blogger Squad and was compensated for this post. All opinions, as always, are my own. Thank you for your continued support of STSL! <3
Hopefully you guys aren’t too sick of all the new house talk yet, because I’ve got some more of it for ya today! And today we’re talking beautiful backyard spaces.
How gorgeous is that?!?!?
So one of the things that I’m constantly thinking about the pros and cons of with building a new house is the yard…or better yet, the lack thereof.
Now don’t get me wrong…I am absolute thrilled to be building our new home! But one of the perks of going the route of buying an existing home would have been that it would likely already have a backyard. And grass. And maybe even a deck or a pool! With building, you’re starting completely from scratch.
So on the one hand, I find myself getting totally overwhelmed because I want all. the. things. right away. Grass, check! Back deck/patio, check! Sunroom, check! New pool, check! But, unfortunately, these things don’t come cheap and they’re likely things that we’re going to have to save for and acquire over time (although hopefully we’ll at least be able to get that grass growing ASAP!).
But on the other hand, it leaves room for endless possibilities! So since I’ve come to acknowledge the fact that it’s going to take some time, I’m now embracing it and using this time to really think about what I want to save for in order to create our “Dream Outdoor Oasis.”
Granted, some of the things that would be in my “dream” outdoor oasis are likely not feasible (hello cascading waterfall flowing into a beautiful inground pool)…but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun to, well, dream about ‘em, right?
Here are a couple of things I’d really love to do over time to our new outdoor space (whether or not we’ll be able to, who knows)…
Add an inground pool. Since I’ve had one most of my life, and we have one at our house now, it’s definitely something I’m going to miss. I’d love to be able to eventually add one, however, the price tag with an inground pool these days blows my mind (20-30k is apparently not too far off…YIKES).
But really, how beautiful is that?! We’ve been saying that, in the interim, we may wind up looking into getting an above ground pool in the off-season for a discounted price so we’ll have it for the next summer. And hey, whether it’s above ground or inground, it will still serve the purpose of keeping us cooled off!
Build a back deck or patio large enough for entertaining. Jay and I love to entertain. And when the weather is warm enough, being able to do it outside is 10,000x better (less mess in the house, baby!). I’m still on the fence about whether or not I’d want a wooden deck or a cement/pavers patio (although I know the patio will definitely be more $$$), but both of them can be equally appealing…
Build a fire pit. We currently have a small fire pit in our backyard and it’s great. We (i.e., Jay) put it together quite easily with some old bricks we had lying around, but I’d really love to be able to tie it in somehow to whatever we’ll already have existing. For example, having them built right into a back patio…
Absolutely LOVE!
Add some string lights. There’s just something about the look of lights strung up in the backyard that screams cozy. And I also, for lack of a better term, totally think it makes the space feel just that much more “fancy,” don’t you think?
I mean, I could certainly get used to having date nights outside like that!
Get a fun patio set. We have a couple of patio sets now, but they’re pretty basic. One of them is from one of local grocery stores and I think we bought it for like, $89 or something like that.
They’ve certainly served their purpose when it comes to being able to dine outdoors, but I’d love to be able to get something that’s more for a casual entertaining spot. Something like this setup with a couch, chairs, and table from Sears.
And actually, Sears has a ton of different items for outdoor living spaces! You can find them all at Sears.com/outdoorliving
As a slight side note, do any of you remember the show Trading Spaces on TLC? I used to watch that show all. the. time. back in the day, and I totally remember watching Ty Pennington as the quirky, funny carpenter on the show.
Now, he’s a Sears Outdoor Living and celebrity designer, and he’s teamed up to offer 7 secrets to the art of creating the perfect outdoor oasis!
Ty Pennington’s 7 Secrets to Creating an Outdoor Oasis:
1. Build your base, add over time – After envisioning your dream outdoor space, you can purchase an entire patio collection at once or build it over time, depending on your entertaining needs. Fortunately, the Ty Pennington Style Parkside Collection encompasses 20 matching outdoor necessities – from a loveseat and ottoman to a dining table, umbrella and even a resin wicker swing. It allows you to make additions to your set on your own time. The collection is now available in three colors for custom personalization.
2. Get to grilling – Whether you’re a novice griller or a seasoned outdoor pro, Sears has the grills to match your space and skillset. With 40,000 BTUs of power, a side burner and two large wheels for easy maneuvering, the Kenmore 4 Burner Gas Grill with stainless steel lid is ideal of the beginning griller. If cooking for a crowd is more your style, consider the Kenmore Elite® 600 Series 4 Burner Gas Grill. With 694 square inches of total cooking area, 64,000 BTUs of power, and a cast iron side burner to cook side dishes and sauces, it’s the ideal grill for the avid entertainer.
3. Welcome small spaces – Think your condo balcony or ocean-side deck is too small for outdoor entertaining? Think again. For an intimate yet eclectic look and feel, consider the extensive line of bistro and bar sets available at Sears. They are easily customizable and ideal for dining for two.
4. Go green and add some color – Nothing dresses up a patio faster than plants and flowers. Many planters at Sears coordinate with our patio collections. Refresh your patio with colorful rugs, pillows and cushions. In addition, a strategically-placed patio umbrella can do more than just block the sun – it can define your entire outdoor space. After all, summer parties should create a relaxed vibe.
5. Make your move, weigh your priorities – Summer is moving season. Whether you’re moving from the city to the suburbs or from a single-family home to a condo in the city, match your outdoor entertaining to the space you have. If moving to a market with extreme climates, invest in durable furniture that can stand up to the environment. Consider patio furniture with a rust-resistant steel frame, UV-resistant fabric and an all-weather resin weave like the La-Z-Boy Charlotte 4 pc. Seating Set available at Sears. This set will accommodate your guests comfortably while upholding inclement weather for years to come.
6. Dine with family and friends – Party hosts know the frustration of carrying food back and forth between the kitchen and the backyard. Fortunately, the Kenmore 5-Burner Island Gas Grill with Refrigerator takes elements from the kitchen to the great outdoors. With a side searing burner, a storage cabinet, two storage drawers and a built-in refrigerator, hosts can focus on the food and their guests with fewer trips to the kitchen.
7. Consider your climate – The most popular patio sets on the market are made with either aluminum or steel. Steel is heavier than aluminum but can rust over time. Aluminum is naturally rustproof and generally requires less maintenance. For added protection, make sure your patio set has a heavy duty powder-coated frame if you choose steel.
Throughout the spring and summer seasons, Sears will offer a great selection of outdoor living collections and grills, including collections from Ty Pennington Style, Grand Resort, La-Z-Boy Outdoor, Kenmore and Kenmore Elite®.
*********
Thanks, Ty!
As for all of you guys…want to create your own dream patio? Sears is currently holding a Shop Your Way Sweeps at ShopYourWay.com/SearsPatioSweep…all you have to do is become a Shop Your Way member for FREE and enter for your chance to win 1.5 million Shop Your Way points to bring your outdoor oasis to life. Ohh, how amazing would that be?!
Visit Sears.com/outdoorliving to find more tips on grilling and outdoor entertaining.
Questions for today:
- What does your dream outdoor oasis look like?
- What are you updating/sprucing up in your outdoor space in preparation for summer entertaining?
Danielle @ Little Mama Big Life says
Love all the outdoor space inspiration pics! I have a lot of the same ones pinned for future inspiration! ;) We’re doing small things to our outdoor spaces this year with plans to sell our house within the next couple of years!
Eric says
nice love
Dominique says
Congrats on the house! We built a new house and moved in about a year and a half ago and we love it! Definitely not decorated, but we’re in child mode so that will come later! I’m with you on the backyard though! We did grass and irrigation first and hopefully over time will do more fun back there! Enjoy and I can’t wait to see how great everything turns out!
Linz @ Itz Linz says
all of those backyards are AMAZING!!! i have a fenced in backyard with lots of grass and a small patio – william will hopefully enjoy some backyard time this summer! :)
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
What gorgeous outdoor living spaces! We live in a townhouse at the moment, so we can’t do to much, but there are some great ideas here. I’ll definitely keep these in mind for when we have a house.
Melissa says
Wow, all of those backyards look absolutely beautiful and are breathtaking! I’ve recently gotten into watching a lot of the HGTV shows, so it’s always interesting to me to see how people decorate and decide of how I would want my dream home to look!
Beks says
You might consider an above ground pool until you can afford to get an in-ground one. Sure, you can’t do as much, but when it’s super hot outside, it’s nice to throw on some Pandora music, and just chillax in the cool water. We’ve had one the last three summers (well, not last summer, since we were moving), and it’s been great! Get one big enough, you could probably teach Lucas basic swimming in it.
haley @Cupcakes and Sunshine says
wowowow. dreaming of all the future outdoor possibilities!!
Brynn says
My FAVORITE part of an outdoor space are the sting lights. I love lanterns and bulb lights – they remind me of my time in Italy.
Shawna says
ahhh i’m so not at a place where i can even imagine owning a house, but i’m pretttty sure the part i’d be most concerned with is the outdoor space too! LOVE spending as much time as possible on patios/rooftops/anywhere outdoors. some of these pix are gorgeous. definitely all about the string lights, big patio space and fire pit. swoon.
Ashley Renee says
nowww you’ve got me wishing for a house! ugh. actually all the people posting grilling recipes do! I just moved into my NYC apartment and I have zero space for a grill or outdoor entertaining… unless you count my fire escape (which I totally don’t… totally…right?)
I LOVE all the house talk and I’m so excited to see what you guys come up with. my family built the house I grew up in when I was five and it was always so special to me that it was designed just for us!
Jenn@Mark My Miles! says
We are trying to spruce up our backyard in the next couple of weeks for our son’s second birthday party. Love summer time!
Sarah @ Sweet Miles says
I feel like I’m constantly dreaming about ways to improve our crazy backyard. Right now with all the rain it looks like a jungle :( I would LOVE to expand our deck, actually, it completely needs to be rebuilt to begin with! Love all these ideas, wish we could afford them all hahaha
Cheri C says
If you are set on an inground pool and just want something more temporary, we had one of those Intex pools that was basically a liner hanging off a metal frame when our kids were young and it was great. Although it wasn’t always the easiest thing, by husband was able to put it up himself each season. When the boys got older, they helped and it took less than an hour (not filled of course). We took it down at the end of summer so it lasted for about 10 years before we gave it to a friend with younger kids who are still using it 2 years later. Although we did have to replace the pump once, I can’t complain because it gave our family a lot of fun over the years without us having to really build anything. We had the 18′ by 48″ round so it was big enough to play volleyball with a few adults or have a bunch of kids with pool toys.
Drew says
These are the kinds of backyards that you see in a magazine. All of them are beautiful! You are exactly right about a fire pit, because no one will complain about that. Thanks so much for sharing!
Veronica Marks says
This article basically encompasses all my dreams for my future back yard! I think the fire pit and patio are two of the things I absolutely must have. I’m curious if you have any suggestions for patio coatings that work best for all climates?
Emily says
Courtney, my husband and I recently added a large patio onto our house and I want to get some furniture to go out there. I love the idea you had about getting a nice set with couches and tables and chairs. I will have to keep my eye out for that kind of stuff while I am shopping.
Laurie says
A great thing about building is that it is all yours – you can put your own touches on everything from the very beginning.
Tara Jones says
I love all your ideas, and agree – a swimming pool is well worth the price tag! I can’t wait until we have our own house and can have one too. I want our children to feel comfortable in the water (and know how to swim well), and I feel like the best way to do that (and teach water respect while you’re at it) is by having water in your backyard. Can’t wait to see how your backyard eventually turns out!
outdoor showers Brisbane says
Parks, gardens and patios etc. should have furniture that is durable against mostly weather changes.
Patios says
Heavy outdoor space really nice this site
Petunia Evans says
I agree that building a new home, as well as creating the landscape, is a bit overwhelming. It took us a while to get ours to this point, however I’ve been wanting to add a pool to our yard. Looking at these beautiful pool ideas have been more than inspiring, I feel that I can finally make my dream a reality. Thanks!
Henry Cavendish says
Read your blog and get amazing ideas how I can create an outdoor oasis. Adding ground pools in lawn add extra beauty to our home.
Jorge McMillan says
My dream has always been to have a nice pool in my backyard to enjoy with my family. Now that my wife and I are both graduated and have nice paying jobs, we are beginning to plan out our home. I love the look of the backyard and pool in the fourth picture down and I think we are going to try and model it this way.
Vero says
Thanks Courtney, this is very inspiring! I love the idea of a built-in fire pit but it’s going to take some planning. We did a canopy covered space by the river a few years ago for outdoor dining. My next plan will include a fire pit for sure :)
Tyler Pool says
Wow. This is a great idea to have ideal needs. Can I use your ideas to re-blog in my personal blog? Just asking for your permission. Thanks in advance.
jamesduncan says
I would like to thank you for your nicely written post, its informative and your writing style encouraged me to read it till end. Thanks.
jamesduncan says
I am currently writing a research report on Scope of Economics and Economist and I have been exploring your blog for a few hours. Thank you for your post it proved helpful for me. VolumeTee.com
Homeia says
Read your blog and get amazing ideas how I can create an outdoor oasis. Adding ground pools in lawn add extra beauty to our home.
https://homeia.com
Jim Pool says
Thanks! This is a great idea to have ideal needs. I just shared on my FB wall..I think some of my friends will concern about this.