Is your backyard ready to transform into an outdoor living space for spring and summer? Have you been seeing outdoor patio sets and furniture at your local store lately? Contemplating what you'd like your outdoor space to look like this year? It's now the perfect time to start gathering your ideas and designing your space so you can enjoy the first warmer days that spring has to offer! You can truly design an outdoor spot that you love without putting too much time and effort into it so that you can spend more time sitting back relaxing. Here are a few simple backyard ideas to turn your outdoor space into a retreat, where you can relax, socialize, and spend more time with those you love most. 

1. Create an Outdoor Bonfire 

Gather your family or friends around a bonfire every weekend for s'mores and late-night chats by creating a bonfire in your backyard with Adirondack chairs. Cushion the chairs with outdoor pillows for added comfort to your outdoor space. A simple bonfire added to your backyard will give the space just what it needs for socialization outside during the warmer months at night when it cools down a bit. What's also great about having a bonfire is the ability to bake a few treats on the fire from marshmallows to banana fosters. 

2. Design a Modern Escape

If you're a modern design enthusiast, design your outdoor space to exhibit the modern aesthetic that your interior also has. Paint brick black like the picture above or find ways to integrate white and black to the outdoor space with sleek outdoor furniture showcasing clean lines and a simple, unadorned appearance. Prevent the space from looking dull by bringing in potted plants to blend your outdoor space to nature, unless you already have plenty of shrubbery or trees nearby. Then, sit back and relax in style, knowing your outdoor space looks sophisticated and trendy. 

3. Transform into a Dreamy Space

Enjoy a small dinner party with your best friends on your patio table set with twinkling lights to create the perfect relaxing environment. If you're looking to spend more evenings outdoors, why not add an additional table outside to have dinners at? This is a wonderful way to find yourself outside more under the stars with good company. To keep the space from looking too dim, bring in plenty of lighting through various light fixtures from string lights to lanterns and candles, layering them in corners and on the table for the ideal lighting situation. We also love the idea of utilizing wood crates as decor for plants and lanterns like shown in the photo above. Wood is always a classic element to use as your patio table and decor since it brings a part of nature to your outdoor space. 

4. Integrate Comfort

Ever spend time in your backyard having a picnic on a blanket with your friends or laying back tanning? This design option may be right up your alley then. Consider creating the ultimate comfort spot to your backyard by bringing in cozy elements from pillows, throws, to cushioned furniture sets and ottomans like in the picture above. If you have a gazebo, add some sheer curtains for an airy, light, and relaxing feel to the space. When designing your space, make sure to feature lots of textures for ultimate comfort from the flooring to the backrests. If you'd like to add in a bit of color, you can easily do so with any furniture item or just with pillows – that way you can swap them out each year to spruce up your outdoor living space. Invite your friends over for a cozy movie night outdoors and set up a projector or host a classic outdoor picnic with chocolate-covered strawberries, sandwiches, and finger food. 

5. Make an Enclosed Space 

Need an outdoor space for spending time on hobbies? Whether you're into reading, playing guitar, or simply listening to music, design your outdoor space to be secluded so that you can fully enjoy your hobby in peace. You can make this possible by designing a small enclosure through a gazebo and layering curtains and plants around the space. Find an outdoor furniture set with plenty of cushions for comfort and a table to set down snacks and drinks so you can spend a few hours outdoors in nature. Who knows, you may end up spending more time outdoors on your hobbies every weekend than you imagined. 

6. Blend Furniture with Nature 

If your backyard lacks a patio or any pavement, consider adding the furniture set simply on the grass. Find outdoor furniture with a side table, coffee table, and plenty of seating so you have enough room for your desired group of people to spend time together outside. Decorate with added pillows, candles, plants, and outdoor pottery to bring color into the outdoor space. Place in a shaded spot for warmer days and out in an open space for chillier nights so you can create an outdoor living space you love most. 

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