The summer season means its finally time to start hosting your gatherings outdoors. From getting cozy around a backyard fire pit to enjoying dinner on the patio, there a variety of ways to expand your living space to the backyard during the warmer season. Read on to learn how to create a relaxing oasis in your backyard this summer.

Backyard Oasis Ideas

Add a Cozy Seating Area

When spending hours enjoying the warm breeze in your outdoor space, you will want a comfortable place to sit and have your meals alfresco. Comfortable chairs and cushions are a backyard essential and will make relaxing outdoors that much more enjoyable.

When choosing the type of table to enjoy your meals, think about the overall style and feel you want. A round table is much more intimate and will allow foot traffic to flow around it better than a rectangular table. Glass-topped patio tables are easier to clean and disinfect than wood tables. And you won’t have to worry about a glass-topped table rotting out in a few years.

If your backyard gets a lot of sun, consider adding in areas of shade. Look for a larger umbrella to provide shade while you eat or opt for a wooden pergola to add shade and decor to your backyard.

Consider Lighting

Nothing says summer nights like beautifully hung string lights. It adds a touch of light while creating a romantic ambiance to your outdoor space. Consider stringing the lights on your pergola or use light poles to hang the string lights around your dining area. For eye-catching decor, place lanterns with battery-powered candles around your patio to add light to your seating area.

Design Your Patio

When it comes to the patio itself, you have many options. Concrete is the most budget-friendly way to go, but pavers will make for a beautiful foundation. Pavers are more stain- and weather-resistant than concrete and will last virtually forever. The only downside to pavers is the weeding required to keep them neat. If you are up for a DIY, installing them yourself is a relatively easy project and will save you a significant amount of money.

Opt for Serveware

When spending more time outside, you will no doubt be making many trips back and forth to the kitchen for refreshments and more essentials for making s'mores. A simple basket tray will help to corral items and result in less trips inside. A beautiful glass pitcher is as stylish as it is functional. There is no end to the summer beverages you can create yourself, so have fun with it.

Use Your Green Thumb

Whether you have a green thumb or just like to experiment with gardening, a potting bench is useful to have. It can also double as a serving station for larger gatherings. Get creative and use an upcycled cart or a piece of furniture instead of a traditional potting bench for interest. If you opt for a piece of furniture, you will need to seal it to protect it from the elements.

Cost Breakdown

Wondering what all this will cost you? If you’re starting from scratch, it can add up fast. However, by simply doing a little bit each year, you might be surprised at how much you can accomplish! The estimated cost for this sample homeowner’s backyard patio is:

• Paver Patio (average): $3,000 – $6,000
• Outdoor Table & Chairs: $1,000
• Patio Umbrella: $150
• Potting Bench: $200
• String Lights: $50
• String Light Poles: $350
• Serveware $50
• Planters $100

Regardless of whether you go all out on your summer patio or if you keep it cost-effective, it will inevitably be your own little escape. Have fun and enjoy the process of creating your very own backyard oasis.

Roxanne is a home decor blogger and DIY enthusiast. On her site, The Honeycomb Home, she shares simple, creative ways to update your home on a budget. She has appeared on the Rachael Ray Show and has worked with the Property Brothers.