Summer Patio Inspiration and Ideas

This time of year my thoughts always turn to the outside. Living where I do we have a short (by my standards) window of time to enjoy the outdoors and my goal is to make the most of that time.

I shared part of my front yard makeover the other day but we still have a lot to do, including making sense of our back yard.

Back Yard Mess

Years ago I had a pool in the back yard with a beautiful wooden deck coming off of the pool. I loved it. There was an elegant glass table, comfortable seating for entertaining and an umbrella table on that deck to shield us from the late afternoon sun.....lights were wrapped around the posts, planters were in every corner filled with annuals and trailing vines and tiki lights were placed for nighttime enjoyment. I had the pool lit up internally for after dark swimming and it was my happy place.

Now, I have a pit {it's filling in slowly} in the backyard where the pool and deck used to be....long, long story but it's all gone {the pool and deck}.

This year we decided to reclaim that space and turn it into a seating and entertaining area with a fire pit and, *fingers crossed*, a water feature. It's a big undertaking but I think we can do it!

My oldest son is going to help me plan out the area as far as placement of everything. He's got one of those brains that can see things without them actually being there so he's my go to guy for design! 😉