Improving outdoor spaces for hanging out?

[sassystace]

I already ordered a gas fire pit and am thinking about some Edison bulb string lights to hang above the deck.  I figure we are stuck at home for the summer but maybe eventually I can invite a few friends over for a socially distant outdoor get together.

Anybody else have other ideas or planning on making improvements?

[dutchgirl678]

I don't have any ideas. What gas fire pit did you get? We are thinking of getting one too. The bulb string lights are a good idea as well. Last year we bought a game of corn hole to play in our backyard. And we got a grill and a patio set and seating. That's as far as I got .

[RockNVoll]

We've been doing piecemeal back yard improvements. Last year we put in a stone paver patio, including an area for a portable fire pit. Also got some outdoor dining furniture and an umbrella.

This year I'm going to get the Solo Stove fire pit (just waiting to see if there are Memorial Day sales, though now the model I want is also back ordered until June, sigh) and have reached out to landscape architects to try to figure out some kind of design for our large but completely plant/tree-less back yard. I'm also getting some lawn games like cornhole. My H would probably like some kind of outdoor sound system, but our Bose sound dock will work just fine thank you very much

So, nothing super insightful there but I'm with you on trying to make the space as nice as possible since it will probably be our main source of entertainment for the foreseeable future.

[acr]

We like to hang in the front yard currently so we can actually see other people. We’ve hung a hammock, gotten a good swing for the tree, ordered nicer chairs, getting it treated for mosquitos, hung lights, added an umbrella, and made sure there’s a place to hang a speaker. Made an effort to spruce up the flower beds too.

We’re renting, so no long term investments.

[raangoli]

This is something we’ve been talking about for a couple weeks. Our current deck is fine but needs work. We’re going to get quotes on getting it replaced with either composite, wood, or a paver patio. The paver patio might not be the best since the yard is a bit inclined and we’ve read that isn’t suitable for the raised pavers.

I’m also looking at getting some sort of conversation set so we can sit out and have a drink there. But I’m hesitant to buy anything bc of storage.

[hamster]

We are finally getting grass where we excavated for the addition and septic drainfield. It's been a real PITA keeping it watered and walking around a maze of construction fence but the end is near.

I just ordered a picnic table to sit at.

I need to order a conversion set for around our fire pit but it's impossible. I want a couch/love seat and two chairs. No coffee table. Nobody sells collections that you can piece together, just predetermined sets.

[lightbulbsun]

We already had plans to redo our back patio this summer, so we are moving forward with that. We need to do it anyway because the current patio slopes towards the house, but we're planning to make it larger overall.

I also want to build a permanent fire pit. We had a metal one but last year it rusted through. I'm thinking we could probably have some socially distant bonfires this summer if we're careful.

[Velar Fricative]

We already have a table and chairs with cushions, which is basically what we expect to need to invite a couple of people over this summer (hopefully). I do want to get at least a new table umbrella or even a canopy/gazebo-type thing (gazebo might be too $$$) because given our house's orientation, the sun can be pretty strong during much of the day (but gets very pleasant in the late afternoon when the sun is on the other side of the house).

[orval]

We recently added a pea gravel area for a firepit and seating - got some new/inexpensive adirondack chairs. I have some lights on order to go under our deck (pit area is below the deck). Still looking for a couple tables. We have only had this area for about a week.
On our deck we have an outdoor rug --I highly recommend one. It makes it feel like an outdoor room. And can hide deck imperfections. We have a small seating area with a pergola that has a top shade that opens up and a shade on the side where the sun sets. www.costco.com/modena-aluminum-pergola.product.100486524.html
We have sat on the deck pretty much every day of stay at home.

[k3am]

We're in the process of adding curtains to our pergola.. the afternoon sun just beats on the side of the house making the outdoor patio and indoor kitchen really uncomfortable. Since we've been home all the time, I finally said screw it and put a tarp up to provide shade which is ugly but such a difference. We should have our curtain situation mostly figured out tomorrow when the curtains arrive.. then we'll have to find a way to weight them down for windy days.

We eventually want to get a fire pit/conversation set, but we are picky and have had a hard time finding something we both like.

[boiler717]

May 14, 2020 11:26:48 GMT -5 k3am said:

We're in the process of adding curtains to our pergola.. the afternoon sun just beats on the side of the house making the outdoor patio and indoor kitchen really uncomfortable. Since we've been home all the time, I finally said screw it and put a tarp up to provide shade which is ugly but such a difference. We should have our curtain situation mostly figured out tomorrow when the curtains arrive.. then we'll have to find a way to weight them down for windy days.

We eventually want to get a fire pit/conversation set, but we are picky and have had a hard time finding something we both like.

I added weights to the bottom hem of ours!

[k3am]

boiler717, what did you use as weights? I'm going to need ideas, but won't be able to figure anything out for sure until the new ones arrive since each type I've ordered has very different bottom hems.

[gerberdaisy]

We've been working on our porch and patio. Over the winter we put new windows in our porch which has turned it much more into a room. A couple weeks ago I cleaned it really well (since it won't get all the pollen anymore) and put a tv out there. On our patio, I just finished spray paining our patio set this morning, bought a chaise chair, and H said he was going to get me a hammock for mothers day (however, have yet to see it). I mentioned a solo stove to H, he wasn't that into it though.

[nicolewi]

I have one random thing for your to consider--sunlight. I love eating outside in summer, but our patio faces directly south, with direct views on the east and west also. So, we get wicked sun right at dinner time! It's a weird place to put a tree or put up a shade, but eventually I might just do that to make it more usable. It's light for a long time in summer.

I think your fire pit and Edison lights sound awesome for night.

[boiler717]

May 14, 2020 12:54:32 GMT -5 k3am said:

boiler717, what did you use as weights? I'm going to need ideas, but won't be able to figure anything out for sure until the new ones arrive since each type I've ordered has very different bottom hems.

I used drapery weights but this looks like a good hack www.robinkramerwrites.com/2013/07/in-spirit-of-home-improvement-what-post.html

[MrsAxilla]

May 14, 2020 10:11:30 GMT -5 orval said:

We recently added a pea gravel area for a firepit and seating - got some new/inexpensive adirondack chairs. I have some lights on order to go under our deck (pit area is below the deck). Still looking for a couple tables. We have only had this area for about a week.
On our deck we have an outdoor rug --I highly recommend one. It makes it feel like an outdoor room. And can hide deck imperfections. We have a small seating area with a pergola that has a top shade that opens up and a shade on the side where the sun sets. www.costco.com/modena-aluminum-pergola.product.100486524.html
We have sat on the deck pretty much every day of stay at home.

DH just tried to sell me on a pea gravel area for a fire pit but it sounds like it would look weird?  I should google because I just can’t picture it

[orval]

May 15, 2020 8:50:44 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

May 14, 2020 10:11:30 GMT -5 orval said:

We recently added a pea gravel area for a firepit and seating - got some new/inexpensive adirondack chairs. I have some lights on order to go under our deck (pit area is below the deck). Still looking for a couple tables. We have only had this area for about a week.
On our deck we have an outdoor rug --I highly recommend one. It makes it feel like an outdoor room. And can hide deck imperfections. We have a small seating area with a pergola that has a top shade that opens up and a shade on the side where the sun sets. www.costco.com/modena-aluminum-pergola.product.100486524.html
We have sat on the deck pretty much every day of stay at home.

DH just tried to sell me on a pea gravel area for a fire pit but it sounds like it would look weird?  I should google because I just can’t picture it

It looks good-- at least I think so!  Ours has a metal border to keep the gravel in.  If I knew how to post a pic, I would.

[sassystace]

dutchgirl678
I ordered one similar to this:
www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/endless-summer-steel-propane-fire-pit-ed1016.html

It won't really be that warm but something to sit around.

[orval]

May 14, 2020 11:26:48 GMT -5 k3am said:

We're in the process of adding curtains to our pergola.. the afternoon sun just beats on the side of the house making the outdoor patio and indoor kitchen really uncomfortable. Since we've been home all the time, I finally said screw it and put a tarp up to provide shade which is ugly but such a difference. We should have our curtain situation mostly figured out tomorrow when the curtains arrive.. then we'll have to find a way to weight them down for windy days.

We eventually want to get a fire pit/conversation set, but we are picky and have had a hard time finding something we both like.

We added an outdoor shade to our pergola like this one (if your curtains don't work out).  www.homedepot.com/p/Coolaroo-Walnut-Cordless-Light-Filtering-Fade-Resistant-Fabric-Exterior-Roller-Shade-120-in-W-x-96-in-L-460082/203304084
It works really well and still lets a breeze through if there is one.  You can also put it at different heights - not all the way down if you want. 

[namasteak]

Front yard - added a porch, searching for chairs and new landscaping

Back yard - searching for lounge furniture, adding planters, adding string lights

Both - new fence & painting the house

[namasteak]

We are going to make posts like these to put around our porch and hang the lights

[namasteak]

We have 5 raised beds (4’x4’) in our side yard but we want to add beds of some kind along the fence in the backyard

Maybe this
Or more decorative

[sassystace]

May 15, 2020 11:06:29 GMT -5 namasteak said:

We are going to make posts like these to put around our porch and hang the lights 

I looked at some similar pots with poles in them for stringing up the lights on Pinterest. Either that or attach something temporary to the deck, not sure yet but my husband isn't thrilled about me needing his help.

[idahome]

We had a concrete patio poured in front of our house this week. Today we spent time out front and:
- patio prep: seeded the yard, especially at the edge of the patio, put geraniums in pots on the patio, set up chairs
- cleaned out our sad hosta bed (never so glad to see hostas go in my life)
- planted new flowers in the cleaned out bed

The front of our house looks completely different and I love it. We still need to get some outdoor lighting for our patio, some decorative rock for around our flower bed, and plant around our flag pole.

In August we will have lived in our home for 6 years and this is the first summer where I’m excited to be here.

[treedimensional]

It should not be done haphazardly. It should always start with a well-planned design.
I recommend that hardscape be done first, and planting be done LAST. Most people DIY and end up doing just the opposite because they don't really think it through beforehand, and just start buying decorative accessories and finishing touches FIRST.

[InBetweenDays]

Yes, we have a city lot that is about 8,800 sf. We're redoing a small portion that right now just has the kids trampoline. We're moving the trampoline to a more out of the way area which opens up a space that is about 35' x 20'. We're planning to put down large pavers and add a fire pit, hot tub, and pizza oven.

[MrsAxilla]

May 15, 2020 8:58:27 GMT -5 orval said:

May 15, 2020 8:50:44 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

DH just tried to sell me on a pea gravel area for a fire pit but it sounds like it would look weird?  I should google because I just can’t picture it

It looks good-- at least I think so!  Ours has a metal border to keep the gravel in.  If I knew how to post a pic, I would.

I hope my post didn’t come off wrong!  DH is not good at visualizing things so his pitch left a lot to be desired - lol. I did google photos and like everything else, there are beautiful examples and some more like I initially imagined.  We’ve decided that our anniversary gift to each other this year is to finally get some professional help for our yard because we are just not good at this

[nursecramer]

Big planters or beds with mosquito repellent plants. Lemon balm, bee balm, lavender, oregano are in abundance in our backyard hangout space. Be prepared for the mint family to really spread (e.g. lemon balm and oregano).

[simpsongal]

I need to do the pole thing for hanging Edison lights too. I just haven't had the desire to get it rolling....

DH is getting a solo stove and lots of accessories for his birthday, so that should be nice. Other than that, our yard is a pretty nice space. We're hoping to redo the patio in several years, but it's fine for now.

[RockNVoll]

May 18, 2020 6:15:13 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

I need to do the pole thing for hanging Edison lights too. I just haven't had the desire to get it rolling....

DH is getting a solo stove and lots of accessories for his birthday, so that should be nice. Other than that, our yard is a pretty nice space. We're hoping to redo the patio in several years, but it's fine for now.

Any photos to share? I'm trying to gather ideas for our yard and Houzz/Google are both totally overwhelming and not very helpful.