Building a Backyard Oasis: DIY Pergola and Patio Ideas

Building a Backyard Oasis: DIY Pergola and Patio Ideas

Creating an Outdoor Sanctuary: Our Journey to a Dreamy Backyard

Oh, how I loved creating an outdoor space in our old home! It was a delightful adventure, full of cherished memories. That paver patio, outdoor kitchen, and pretty white pergola – they were the stage for so many family moments, from cozy movie nights to wine tastings with our friends. Not to mention the girls’ birthday parties and milestones – we celebrated it all out there.

Now, as we settle into our new St. Charles Colonial, we’re not quite ready to start transforming the outdoor space. But I’m excited to start imagining the possibilities. Our previous place was a new build, essentially a blank canvas. In contrast, our new home has acquired a bit more personality over the years. It has an aging deck in need of attention and a concrete walkway set to be cleared.

Despite the work needed to achieve our vision, I can almost visualize the garden-like landscaping, a cozy walk-out deck, and a stylish concrete grid for relaxation. I’d love to create a modern outdoor fireplace area and, once again, have a beautiful white pergola. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, a cute little saltwater pool might find its forever home in our backyard one day.

Turning a Blank Slate into an Oasis

Our previous backyard space wasn’t an overnight project. We took our time, gradually enhancing it over the years, much like we plan to do with our new home. We began with a modest-sized paver patio and added some DIY touches to a store-bought white pergola. It was a white vinyl pergola, purchased at Costco by New England Arbors, that attached directly to the house. Our contractor built brick pillars around it, making it feel semi-custom and more integrated into the space.

One of my favorite features was the brick pavers we chose. I was greatly inspired by European garden-inspired patio designs and spent a lot of time going down the rabbit hole on Pinterest, while also needing to maintain our suburban American neighborhood aesthetic. We selected Unilock cobblestone for the main areas and used Hollandstone and Brussels for the edges. These were fairly reasonably priced stone options at the time, if I recall.

Our initial patio design included a comfortable sitting area with a fire pit and a dining spot with numerous small spaces for garden-style landscaping. We added a unique touch to the dining area by positioning the brick at a 45-degree angle, creating the feel of a separate room in our outdoor space. This quickly became a favorite spot for hosting friends and family during the summer.

Here, I dove headfirst into landscaping with some of my favorite plants. Boxwoods, hydrangeas, roses, peonies, and lilac bushes were – and still are – my staples. As our family expanded, so did our passion for spending time outdoors.

Evolving the Backyard Oasis

One year, we extended the patio, adding an outdoor kitchen. This not only provided additional seating but also featured a granite countertop, a Green Egg-style built-in grill area, and a stainless cabinet for storing necessities. We later installed a KidKraft swing set for our daughters, which later transformed into our most ambitious DIY project to date when we decided to paint it white.

Lastly, we introduced raised garden beds with DIY trellises, incorporating herb and vegetable cultivation into our summer activities. The process of preparing, growing, and harvesting our produce – coupled with the neighborhood kids lining up at the fence to ask about today’s garden yield – will always be a cherished memory from our time at this house.

Looking back, our old backyard was more than just a space; it was a stage for our family’s life, where we celebrated birthdays, had barbecues on warm summer evenings, and even built a snowman during the winter. As we begin planning our new outdoor space, I’m filled with both anticipation and excitement. Rather than replicating the past, my goal is to carry over that magic, that sense of family and togetherness, into our new home.

Reimagining the Backyard Oasis

I eagerly look forward to creating a new space where we can continue making memories, and I’m confident that our new home’s outdoor area will someday be just as treasured as our old backyard. Everything you need to get started creating the playset of your dreams – join our email list to receive exclusive content, freebies, and sale alerts straight to your inbox.

While I’m not quite ready to start the heavy lifting just yet, I can’t help but daydream about the possibilities. Perhaps we’ll incorporate a modern outdoor fireplace, perfect for cozy gatherings on cool autumn nights. Or maybe we’ll find a way to squeeze in a petite saltwater pool, creating a true backyard oasis.

One thing’s for sure: I’m determined to capture that same sense of magic and togetherness that our previous patio provided. Whether it’s hosting movie nights under the stars or watching the kids play in the garden, I know that with a little creativity and elbow grease, we can transform our new outdoor space into a cherished sanctuary.

As we embark on this new adventure, I can’t help but feel a tinge of nostalgia for the memories we made in our old backyard. But I’m also eager to write the next chapter, to create new traditions and make even more cherished moments in our new home. Who knows what surprises and delights await us as we build our very own backyard oasis?

One thing’s for certain: I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. With a little DIY know-how and a whole lot of imagination, I’m confident we can turn our ho-hum outdoor space into a true Reading General Contractor masterpiece. Bring on the pergola-building, patio-designing, and garden-planting – I can’t wait to see what we’ll create together!

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