Create Your Own Backyard Oasis
Create a backyard paradise your family will love. Follow these helpful tips and your space will be the go-to hangout spot this summer.
![Create Your Own Backyard Oasis](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/p9r2k8tb/production/8b12ad330c851f5cf8a2fa0a56050383aa7a46f7-1955x1040.jpg?auto=format&fit=max&w=3840)
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/p9r2k8tb/production/0a32746ce5872528e2017008d3a24716832f088f-150x150.png)
All Hands on Deck
Your backyard paradise starts with a clean space. Take some time at the beginning of the season to give your outdoor areas some TLC. Clean off your deck or patio and give your outdoor furniture a scrub. A good pressure washer is your best friend!
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/p9r2k8tb/production/553d3f7de3c799fd6aeca4cd54baa46c55232851-150x150.png)
Plants O' Plenty
Breathe some life into your outdoor space with lush greenery. If you enjoy gardening, anchor your space with some large planters and get creative! Fill them with flowers for pops of color or overflowing foliage for a more natural look. Don’t want to get your hands dirty? Pick up some fun tropical plants from the Schnucks Floral Department.
Party Tip: Garnish tabletops with an array of glass jars filled with cuttings from your garden.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/p9r2k8tb/production/ebcc1c0118c43425a9acf533c76cf560375ff6dd-150x150.png)
Get Fired Up
Summertime calls for fireside weenies and s’mores! Give your family a good excuse to gather ‘round by making a fire pit the focal point of your seating area. When doing so, it’s important to keep these safety measures in mind:
- Make sure the fire pit is at least 10 feet away from the house or any other combustible building or surface.
- Never use lighter fluid or gasoline to ignite or relight a fire. Newspapers or fire-starter blocks are best.
- Always keep a fire extinguisher, hose or bucket of water close by.
- Keep small children and pets at least three feet away from the fire at all times.
- Never leave a fire unattended. Be sure to fully extinguish it at the end of the night.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/p9r2k8tb/production/fb87dc60f77159afd199119b0862bc2e4697d9f2-150x150.png)
Set the Mood
For evening ambience, string lights from the house to a nearby tree or attach them to the fence with plastic outdoor clips.
Party Tip: For easy mood lighting, light some votive candles inside mason jars or even extra glassware to place on tabletops.
![](https://cdn.sanity.io/images/p9r2k8tb/production/f0e70002bfa2901b0aa259c754d72379294a6eb8-150x150.png)
BYO...Blankets!
Party Tip: In addition to a cozy lounge area, it’s fun to toss a few oversized throw pillows on the ground for extra seating. Ask guests to bring their own blankets to keep warm as the sun goes down. The blankets can also provide extra lounge space in the grass if needed.