Summer is the time to relax, but if our weekends are filled with chores and to-do lists it can pass by so quickly! Here are some smart, trendy ways to maximize your fun in the sun so that the summer will feel endless.
Back to Basics: Instead of planting your garden with high-maintenance exotic plants, opt for plants that are native to your region and do not require a lot of grooming. The return to native plants is a huge trend we are seeing right now in landscape design. Perennial plants are ideal, since they grow with minimal effort.
Over your Head: If you are not fortunate enough to have a permanent awning built onto your house, consider adding a fabric canopy. Fabric canopies will not only visually enhance and enclose an area, they will also offer protection from the sun and rain so you can fully relax in the shade while still enjoying the warm summer breeze.
Fake it ’til You Make it: We all want to have the greenest grass on the block, but keeping our lawn pristine requires a lot of maintenance. There’s the seeding, the weeding and the fertilizing — not to mention the amount of watering required. Not only does maintaining grass cost money, it also takes up a lot of precious time. Synthetic grass has come a long way since its beginnings and is starting to take on a very realistic appearance. This is a great option for those who do not have the time or patience required for real grass.
Not too Much: Depending on your lifestyle and needs, minimizing your backyard grassy area altogether is also a trend we are seeing more and more of. Instead of grass, think stone pavers, composite decks or other hard surfaces that do not require a lot of maintenance.
Hanging Out: Why go to a resort to enjoy the comfort and relaxation benefits of being in a hammock when you can have one right in your own backyard? Lay back and enjoy reading your favourite book or just take an afternoon nap while you sway back and forth.
Lemons Anyone? Who can relax when you feel like you’re in a fish bowl and your every move is being observed by your neighbours? Planting tall grasses such as lemon grass is a great way to create privacy while also helping to keep pesky mosquitos away.
Now you can truly unwind in your own private backyard paradise!
IMAGES via 1. Decoration 0; 2. Shade FX Canopies; 3. Freshome; 4. Ingerior Design; 5. Lush Home; 6. Mark English Architects on Houzz.
