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.

As the weather warms up, many people are looking for ways to enjoy their outdoor living spaces. Whether you’re planning on upgrading your existing patio or building a new one, adding games can be a fun way to make the space more inviting. Here are five games for playing on your patio in the spring and summer.

Cornhole

Cornhole is a classic tailgate game to play in your backyard. The game involves tossing bean bags at a raised platform with a hole in it to get as many bags on the platform or in the hole as possible. The game can be played with two or four players and doesn’t require much space.

Ladder Ball

Like cornhole, ladder ball is another tossing game that doesn’t require too much space or materials. The game involves tossing bolas (two golf balls attached by a string) at a ladder-shaped target while trying to wrap the bolas around the ladder’s rungs. The game can be played with two or four players, and it is easy to learn but challenging to master. 

Spikeball

Spikeball is a newer game that has gained popularity due to its fast pace and fun gameplay. The game involves bouncing a small ball off a circular net on the ground to get the other team to miss or hit it out of bounds. Spikeball can be played with two or four players and can be a great workout for the whole family. Spikeball sets are available online and in stores, and their portability lets you take them anywhere.

Billiards

If you have room on your patio, billiards is a classic social game to enjoy with friends and family. With many types of games like 8 Ball, 9 Ball, and one-pocket, you’ll never run out of ways to play. Billiards tables are available in various sizes and styles and can be customized to fit your patio space.

Darts

Another great game with dozens of variations, darts are a fun way to unwind and socialize. With plenty of dart board designs, you won’t have any problems matching it with your backyard. Make sure you mount it on a hard surface to limit holes in case you miss your throw.

Whether you prefer classic games like cornhole and billiards or newer games like spikeball, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. So get outside, get active, and enjoy the competition from the comfort of 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.