Spring is here, and it’s time to use outdoor living space to the fullest. Your patio is the best place to enjoy the warm weather, and with a few upgrades or a new build, you can transform your patio into the ultimate springtime hangout spot. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Outdoor Dining Area

Spring is a great time to enjoy meals outdoors. Set up a dining area on your patio with a large table and comfortable chairs. Choose weather-resistant materials for your furniture, and add colorful cushions or pillows for a pop of color. Consider adding a grill or outdoor kitchen to make cooking and entertaining even more effortless. For more info on building an outdoor kitchen, check out our previous blog for inspiration.

Fire Pit or Fireplace

Although the weather is heating up, spring nights can still get chilly. So stay warm and cozy on your patio with a fire pit or fireplace. Not only will it keep you warm, but it also creates a relaxing ambiance and a focal point for your outdoor space. Roast marshmallows, tell stories and enjoy the nighttime.

Games and Entertainment

Bring some fun to your patio with games and entertainment for the whole family. Depending on the size of your backyard and the number of people playing, there’s plenty of fun to be had on your patio. For five great activities to enjoy in the sun this spring, check out our blog on backyard games.

Outdoor Lighting

Create an atmosphere on your patio with outdoor lighting. String lights or lanterns can help create a warm, rustic style, while a chandelier can add class to your backyard. Lighting can also increase safety on your patio by illuminating walkways and steps. To learn which outdoor fixtures fit your patio best, check out our blog.

With a bit of creativity, your outdoor living space can become the ultimate spring break hangout spot for you and your friends and family. Contact us today to start building or upgrading your outdoor living space.

The Houston Chronicle just released an article on how to have fun in your own backyard. These oldies but goodies will get the family away from electronic devices and outside for some fresh air!

Cornhole

Equipment: Two tilted cornhole boards, each with a single hole, set 40 to 45 feet apart and eight fabric bags filled with sand, beads, feed corn, etc.

Object: Score points by tossing bags at the opposite board and aiming for the hole. Bags that fall in the hole score three points, those that land on the board score one. Gameplay includes “cancellation scoring,” meaning one player’s three-point bag-in-the-hole cancels out another player’s, so only one player or team scores each round. First to reach a designated point total, usually 21, wins.

What makes it fun: With little skill or strategy involved (at least on the backyard level), it puts young players on par with older siblings.

More information: American Cornhole Association, click here.

Badminton

Equipment: Badminton racquets, a birdie (or shuttlecock) and a net 5 feet high on a court measuring 44 feet long and 17 feet wide for singles, 20 feet wide for doubles. A smaller court can be used for smaller players.

Object: Score points by hitting the shuttlecock over the net so it lands on the other team’s side of the court. One point is scored per winning volley, with the next serve awarded to the side that wins the point. First side to score 21 points wins.

What makes it fun: The cone-shaped shuttlecock is constructed so that it seems to float through the air, making it relatively easy for even beginning players to hit.

More information: USA Badminton, click here.

For more games and the full article from The Houston Chronicle, click here.