With everything that’s going on, your vacation plans are probably on hold. The good news is that with a little creativity, you can turn your backyard into an oasis for the whole family, with plenty of features to keep everyone entertained. Here are six fun landscape design ideas for staycations in Port Jefferson, NY.
There are two elements to a staycation: doing and being. A great landscape will accommodate both—giving everyone a chance to play and move their bodies, while also offering a tranquil spot for relaxing. Which of these tips will you use?
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Expand Your Patio
A crowded patio doesn’t give people enough elbow room to enjoy the great outdoors. A small patio expansion can help, along with creative use of double-function design elements that make the space feel even larger.
Replace some of your patio furniture with a seat wall. Incorporate teak benches into masonry pillars to give your patio a cozy atmosphere without feeling closed in. Create a dedicated fire pit area where you can sit together and enjoy the fire, while leaving the main patio area wide open for games and relaxing.
Transform Your Side Yard Into a Game Area
This is the perfect opportunity to give an unused side yard a makeover, by transforming an afterthought into a well-designed game area that you’ll enjoy using. Create a space just perfect for bocce, horseshoes, archery, lawn darts, a putting green, outdoor bowling, or even miniature golf. This lets you have plenty of fun without disturbing your backyard landscaping.
Escape to Your Own Private Zen Nook
For homes with two side yards, why not transform one into an energized space like a game area, and the other into a serene getaway? Bamboo privacy fencing, lush greenery, a soothing fountain, a reflecting pool, and a comfortable bench or hammock would let you escape from all of your worries!
Add a Splash
A backyard pool will make it even more fun to be at home. But you don’t have to dedicate your entire backyard to a pool, if you just want a place to cool off on hot days. A dipping pool (also called a “cocktail pool”) is a mini-pool that’s plenty big enough for the whole family to play or soak. An elevated hot tub adjoining the pool will give you a wonderful sense of luxury. And a waterfall that empties into the pool will be a source of endless entertainment and can help mask the sounds of traffic or noisy neighbors.
Add Privacy
Secluded corners for yoga, napping, sunbathing, or chatting will make your backyard feel like a true retreat. Living walls and opaque glass walls are the best ways to make a space feel private without being suffocating. Masonry walls offer a wonderful opportunity to create vertical gardens. Vertical gardens give you a place to grow herbs or veggies without sacrificing a large area of the yard.
Add a Pergola or Pavilion
Being outdoors is wonderful, but at some point Mother Nature is going to send everyone indoors with a sudden shower or blazing hot sun. A pergola is stylish and luxurious, and gives you plenty of shade for a relaxing afternoon. A pavilion goes a step further and protects you from the rain; and if you add an outdoor fireplace, you’ve just created an outdoor room that will be usable well into the cold months. Consider adding outdoor curtains or trellises with climbing vines for more privacy and interest.
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