Agam Grover – Fix That Home UP

Your backyard is your unique chance to create your own little oasis. It gives you the opportunity to make an outdoor space that meets your needs and is all your own. No matter what the size of your lot, there are ways to put your own stamp on it. So where do you start creating an awesome backyard space? And how do you keep your projects within budget? For many, the DIY route is a great way to complete projects affordably while adding style and function to your yard. First, think about what you want out of your backyard space. What are you looking to use your area for and what’s best for your lifestyle? Then, check out this list of DIY projects to make your backyard the best on the block! DIY Projects for a Great Family-Friendly Backyard If you are looking to be the backyard where everyone hangs out, young and old, think about what kind of family-friendly spin you can put on your space. Think of ways that you and guests of all ages can gather and enjoy the outdoors. Adding one or more of these fun projects to your yard can make it more fun for all of your family and friends. Adding a Backyard Game Station Backyard games are perfect for gathering and enjoying an afternoon. Depending on your space, one or more games can create a station for a little friendly competition. You can tuck this area into a corner of your yard or make it the main highlight. Giant Jenga Giant Jenga is a popular choice for outdoor fun. It’s also super easy to make. All you need is a simple saw, a little sandpaper, and some inexpensive lumber. You can use a piece of plywood for the platform or simply play on a table or patio. You’ll need 6 2x4 boards that are 8 feet long. Simply cut each into 10.5 pieces with a saw and sand the cut edges until smooth. You can paint or stain the pieces or leave them raw for a natural look. Store them in a bin or box so they are always ready to stack and play a round. Stump Board Games Classic games are even more fun outdoors. A cut-down tree is a perfect opportunity to add a few to your yard. You can make checkers by stenciling and using outdoor paint to create a checkerboard on the top of a stump. Then, paint pebbles in two different shades to be used asplaying pieces. Tic Tac Toe is also a fun option. Paint a permanent tic tac toe board on your stump and seal it with polyurethane made for outdoor use. Then, use rocks or smaller pieces of wood to make markers. Paint them like insects or flowers for a fun nature theme and use them to compete against each other in this classic game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qzcAMShotQ Paver Games If you have more space, you can even use concrete pavers to create a fun game. Paint them in bright and cheerful colors and lay them out to create a hopscotch set. Install them side by side or add gravel in between for more space if you have larger kiddos. For the ultimate paver game project, create a giant checkerboard. Pick up 64 pavers in either a 12-inch or 18-inch size depending on the size of your project space. You’ll want two shades in contrasting colors so you can install them in an alternating, checkerboard pattern. Then purchase 12 frisbees each in 2 different colors to use as markers on your giant board. Create a Family-Friendly Backyard Workout Space Your backyard is the perfect space to work out and get active. Creating a family-friendly space allows everyone in the family to get involved. So consider the safety and the ages of family members when designing a space for backyard workouts. Ninja Course https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GoJnbgSl99s Adding a ninja warrior course to your yard can be a fun project that the whole family can get in on the planning. This is especially perfect for backyards with mature trees. You can also use 4X4s cemented into the ground to build a structure for your course. You can either craft your course from scratch or use a kit for easy installation. Some great things to include in your course are a rope ladder, monkey bars, rings, and a salmon ladder. If you are feeling extra ambitious, you can build a warped wall at the end. Adding a bed of mulch under your ninja course can cushion falls and make it easier to mow around. A Sports Court Your backyard can be the perfect place to add a sports court, especially if you have a big lot. A simple concrete pad can be the ideal space for a basketball hoop. Purchase an easy-to-store net so you can pull it out for tennis or pickleball. If your family is a little more laid back, add a sports court that’s less active. A bocce ball court is easy to build in your space. If you have limited room, you can make a narrow horseshoe court. Simply install wooden borders to make pits on each end, fill with sand, and add the stake. Backyard DIY Projects for Foodies Take your love for food outside the kitchen and to your backyard. These backyard DIY projects allow you to grow your own delicious food, prep meals, and cook delish dishes in your outdoor space. It’s the perfect way to enjoy great flavors in nature! Produce Garden Creating your own produce garden is one of the best ways to utilize your backyard space. You can opt for a sprawling garden or a small raised bed. Either mark off our area and till your soil, adding compost to prep for planting. Or, build a wooden border and pick up bulk dirt from your local nursery. Either way, you’ll get fresh flavors full of nutritious goodness. Look for heirloom varieties of seeds and starter plants for extra variety. Check out your climate zone and research what plants do best planted side by side. You can also add a few fruit trees to create a shaded area of the garden and for sweet treats. Add a birdbath and suet feeder and to attract feathered friends that will help eliminate damaging insects. Pizza Oven An outdoor pizza oven can be one of the greatest additions to any foodies yard. Not only does it make for cozy evenings during cool weather. But the wood-fired oven will create some of the most delicious pizza possible. You can find countless online tutorials to create a pizza oven to match your style. You can use stones and an organic shape for a rustic look. Or, opt for structured brick for a refined and classic vibe. With limitless options when it comes to size and shape, you can create a pizza oven that’s just right for your space. Outdoor Bar or Kitchen An outdoor bar or kitchen gives you a great entertaining space. Don’t get stuck in the house doing meal prep and cooking for guests. Be part of the action and make your meals and drinks right on your deck or patio. Your outdoor kitchen or bar can be as elaborate or simple as your budget allows. Maybe you just keep it minimal with a grill and a small drink fridge. Or, use your covered patio to the fullest and add a dishwasher, L-shaped counters for food prep, and a keg fridge to keep the drinks flowing. DIY Ways to Create a Perfect Backyard for Entertaining If you want to make your backyard a gathering place, there are some projects that you can do to enhance your space. By making your backyard fun and welcoming, you create a space that everyone can enjoy. There are large and small projects you can do to make your backyard the place to be. A DIY Outdoor Eating Space Project Take your dinner parties out back for alfresco entertaining. Maybe you are all about big dinner parties and cookouts. Or maybe you are just interested in hosting intimate gathers and cocktail hours. Either way, you can create eating spaces that are perfect for the vibe you are looking for. A Laid Back Seating Area Creating a chill seating area gives you the perfect spot to enjoy snacks and drinks in a laid-back way. Set up furniture in a way that encourages conversation and relaxation. Look for Adirondack chairs that are unfinished and paint or stain them in fun hues for your space. You can also build a sectional and coffee table from repurposed wood. Look for instructions that fit the dimensions of your space and skill level. Then, make your own cushions and pillows out of outdoor fabric for a truly custom look. A Stellar Backyard Dining Table Want to host a large guest list for a backyard meal? Build a DIY table that’s big enough to host all of your friends. Look online for plans to build your own dining table. There are tutorials to build wooden farmhouse tables and benches for nearly every skill level. Plus you can customize it to the size and shape that you need for your space. A concrete table is another way to create a dining space while adding industrial flair to your backyard. Make a mold out of two by fours and fill it with mixed concrete to create a layer that’s a few inches thick. Then, attach legs by placing them in the concrete before setting or by using brackets and concrete screws. If you are looking for an easier project, simply repurpose used dining furniture for your space. You can often find sets on selling sites or at secondhand stores. Powerwash and sand to get as much of the old paint off as possible. Then, spray paint your new find in a fun color using a product made for outdoor furniture. Make Your Backyard an Entertainment Destination Create a backyard with the sights and sounds of excitement. Music and movies are perfect additions to any outdoor space. This is especially true if you enjoy entertaining guests and hosting events. Create a Fire Pit for Cozy Backyard Gatherings Few things are cozier and inviting than a fire and adding a fire pit to your backyard provides a great place to gather year-round. Build your fire pit out of stone landscaping pavers or brick in whatever shape you desire. Just make sure it is a safe distance from your house and other structures. A square fire pit is a unique look that’s easier to lay out. You can use brick and mortar them securely together. Or, use landscaping stones with rounded inside edges to make a circular shape for your fire pit. Surround your new fire pit with plenty of seating and stock up on the ingredients for smores! Add an Outdoor Speaker System An outdoor speaker system allows you to create any kind of mood you want in your outdoor space. Go for smooth jazz for adult cocktail parties or peppy pop tunes for a family cookout. By strategically adding speakers, you can make sure that your tunes are heard from every corner of your lot. Luckily, the technology of Bluetooth makes this a fairly simple DIY project. Many are wireless so the only steps you need to take are mounting the speakers and setting up the connection to your device. Just make sure to space them around the yard so sound can be distributed as evenly as possible. Build Your Own Backyard Movie Screen What better way to enjoy a warm summer evening than by watching a movie under the stars. Build your own movie screen to host backyard movie nights all season. All you need are some basic materials, tools, and a projector to screen the newest releases. Use 4x4s to build posts. Dig holes deeper than your frost line and add concrete to secure the posts in place. Then, use rings to create a place to hang your screen. Use a white polyester screen and mount it with hooks to the rings on the post, securing its four corners tautly. Making Your Backyard Awesome, One Project at a Time Creating the backyard of your dreams is possible. Your backyard should reflect your personal style, the activities you enjoy, and the needs of your family. And with a little planning and willingness to try a few DIY projects, you can create a space to enjoy for years to come.