Backyard Design Inspiration for Better Entertaining

San Diego is amazing for many reasons. For one, we are able to spend time outdoors no matter what season it is. We are so lucky to have beautiful weather year-round, we would be crazy not to take advantage of the outdoor space we have. We love creating outdoor living spaces that blend both beauty and functionality to keep guests happy. Here are some of our favorite elements to add to your backyard for better entertaining.

Minimalist.

One major key to designing an outdoor living space made for entertaining is to keep it minimalistic. So often, people try to overdo it and that can easily make your space feel overwhelming and do the opposite of what you are going for. The point of entertaining is to provide a comfortable space for friends to gather and socialize, so having too many elements can inundate your guests with choices. Keep it simple and pick a general color scheme to add character to your yard without overdoing it. Pops of color are good, using every color of the rainbow is not.

Grill Station.

Outdoor kitchens were made for cities like San Diego with amazing weather pretty much year round. Bring the kitchen outdoors by having a master grill station complete with a barbecue, prep station, sink, refrigerator, and plenty of counter space. You can save time and stress by having everything outdoors so you aren’t constantly running in and out of the house for supplies. Check out this blog to read about our favorite outdoor kitchen elements that were made for entertaining.

Bar.

Keep your party going with fun and seasonal drinks. We recommend that you limit your drink menu to 2-3 alcoholic options and a few non-alcoholic beverages as well. Once again, by offering too many choices, you can cause your guests to feel overwhelmed. We love to provide beer, wine, and one seasonal cocktail for our friends and family to choose from. The goal of entertaining is to provide a comfortable space for guests to relax and socialize in – don’t waste time creating an elaborate menu and drink offerings. Afterall, you want to enjoy the party as well, right?

Deck.

Not only do decks give a space for you and your guests to hang out in, but with the right construction, they can also be incredibly visually pleasing. Be sure to offer plenty of seating on your deck to give people a place to relax while waiting for the food to be ready. Don’t forget to do preventative maintenance on your deck regularly, so it does not get damaged and turn into an eyesore. This blog has some great tips on how to take care of your deck and keep it looking pristine.

Outdoor Games.

No backyard gathering is complete without some fun outdoor games! We love games like bocce ball, cornhole, giant jenga, horseshoes and ladder toss to keep our guests of all ages entertained. We recommend providing a few different options so your friends and family are able to find a game they enjoy.

Fire Pit.

Fire pits are great centerpieces for your outdoor living space with their no-hurries, no-worries vibe. They provide a place to gather and do activities such as roast marshmallows, tell stories, and warm up after the sun goes down. You can’t go wrong with an inviting fire pit in your backyard.

Pergola.

Pergolas are amazing for providing some protection from the sun without making your space feel closed off. Planting some vines near your pergola will add a natural design to your space that will get better as time goes by.

Plants.

To turn your yard into a sanctuary, plants are mandatory. We love adding a variety of different local plants to our projects to add dimension and color to outdoor living spaces. Not only do plants add character to your yard, but they also encourage guests to reconnect with nature and unwind in the fresh air that plants provide. Read our blog to learn about some of our favorite drought-tolerant plants to add to San Diego yards.

Entertainment.

Good music is a key element to any get-together. Set your space up with speakers thoughtfully placed throughout your entertaining area, or keep it inexpensive and functional with a bluetooth speaker – either way, music keeps guests happy and entertained regardless of their surroundings. We also love adding some outdoor televisions to the bar and eating areas, so you never have to miss a sports game while spending time outdoors.

Water Features.

Pools are amazing when you have the space, but San Diego isn’t exactly known for its large lot sizes. If you don’t have the room for a pool, features like hot tubs, fountains, and ponds create a calm and inviting feel to your outdoor living space. Don’t forget to provide seating around these elements so your guests can kick back and enjoy the view.

Lighting.

Not only will good lighting highlight the features in your outdoor living space while it gets dark outside, but it also adds a relaxing ambiance to your yard while keeping your guests safe. We love string lights because they make the yard feel like an extension of the house, plus they are inexpensive and pretty easy to install. Win-win!

Cozy Seating.

One of the main goals of creating an outdoor living space made for entertaining, is to provide a comfortable and welcoming space for people to want to spend time in. We recommend offering multiple different seating areas so your guests are not all fighting over one prime spot. We love incorporating couches, chairs, swings, benches, and hammocks in outdoor living spaces. Make sure to provide some comfy pillows with fun patterns along with a few blankets incase your guests get cold as the sun goes down.

We hope you enjoyed this article and it gave you some ideas for your next outdoor gathering. We love creating outdoor living spaces that are both beautiful and functional. If you are interested in an outdoor remodel that you can enjoy for years to come, don’t hesitate to contact us! We would love to set up your free consultation and help you create the outdoor sanctuary of your dreams.