Creating a Summer Backyard Oasis
Thank you My Home Climate for sponsoring this post.
2020 brought about many home projects for our family. One of the biggest projects we tackled was our backyard. When we bought our house three years ago, our backyard was basically a jungle. Vines, weeds and overgrown shrubs everywhere. We hardly ever went out there, always opting to play in our tiny front yard instead.
After realizing we would be spending quite a bit of time at home in 2020, we decided to take on our backyard and turn it into a usable space where the kids could play and JD and I could relax and entertain. “Secret garden meets playground” was the vibe we were going for. After a Spring of blood, sweat, and tears (and some nasty poison ivy) our backyard oasis was ready for enjoyment.
A few of my favorite things about our backyard
Cozy Seating Area
Our backyard backs up to a peaceful, babbling creek and nature trail. The soothing sounds of the water trickling down the creek is one of the most calming noises---we wanted a cozy place to sit and enjoy this. We added a round outdoor sofa between the trees and on most mornings and evenings that is where you’ll find me.
Our Swamp Cooler
If there is one thing that’s very true about Summer in the South---it’s hot. This Summer we added a Honeywell Outdoor Evaporative Air Cooler to our space. It is a gamechanger. You fill the tank with the garden hose and plug it in. It’s completely natural cooling, with no refrigerant, which is great with all the kids running around. Since it’s not a misting fan, you don’t have to worry about being covered in little droplets of water. The honeycomb pad allows it to cool large open areas and blow out fresh, cool, oscillating air like magic.
We even used it on our deck this past weekend when we hosted a neighborhood cookout. The Honeywell Outdoor Evaporative Air Cooler was the talk of the town with how cool and comfortable it made everyone feel, despite the scorching temperatures. We were outside for hours and didn’t even come close to having to refill it. We’ve also found it helps keep those pesky mosquitoes at bay with the blowing air.
It retails for $399 and you can find it via My Home Climate or most big box retailers like Amazon, Walmart or Home Depot. They have a wide range of Indoor coolers, outdoor coolers, humidifiers. You can find the perfect fit for your patio here.
Playset
Our playset may go down as one of the best Facebook Marketplace finds in history. We have gotten so much use out of the playset over the past year. The kids swing almost every day. We also added a little playhouse in the corner. It transforms from a home to a restaurant and everything in between. I love sitting back and watching their imaginations run wild.
The Plants
I’ve never had much of a green thumb, but I’ve been trying my best to change that when it comes to our backyard. Gardens and flowers are one of my love languages and I wanted our secret garden to feel and smell like a true garden. We picked plants for the space based on a color scheme and scents. Gardenias, star jasmine and lavender give off the sweetest aromas. White hydrangeas and boxwoods help create that garden feel. I’ve enlisted the kids to help with watering and weeding. I think they’re the secret ingredient to helping us finally have a green thumb.
Summer has become one of my favorite seasons thanks to our backyard. My heart is so happy in the evenings relaxing with a bubbly drink and watching my kids run free making those childhood memories.
If you’d like to enjoy a Honeywell Outdoor Cooler of your own, you can use the code AMANDA at checkout for 5% off!
