5 Ways to Keep Enjoying Backyard Activities into the Fall
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Fall has arrived, and as temperatures drop, you might be forced to say goodbye to your backyard and head inside. However, there are lots of things you can do to counter the weather so that you can enjoy the outdoors a little longer.
If you’re among the 3 out of 4 Americans who honed their DIY skills during the home improvement craze of 2020, you might even be up to the challenge of bringing these 5 features into your home environment. With a little hard work, you can make your backyard fun to hang out in all year round.
Get an outdoor kitchen
Fans of the summer BBQ don’t need to give up on their backyard culinary dreams in the fall. Simply upgrade your grill to a complete outdoor kitchen.
First, pick a spot that’s close to your house to accommodate electricity, gas, and plumbing. Next, get the appliances and other tools you need. This might include refrigerators, sinks, dishwashers, and, of course, a grill. Don’t forget to buy a professional-caliber 18-Piece BBQ set either. Who says outdoor dining is only for the summer months?
Get an outdoor hot tub
Buying an outdoor hot tub can help you relax no matter the weather. It can even help relieve stress and pain while helping you burn calories. You will need to get a professional to install your hot tub, as this isn’t something you will be able to build yourself. Hiring a contractor and a certified electrician means that you’ll have your hot tub up and running in no time. Once it has been installed, it will be a great way to enjoy the beauty of fall with your loved ones.
Install a patio
A patio can help you enjoy your backyard well into the fall. If you set aside a space in your backyard, you can block pave it, and then have some garden furniture like couches and coffee tables, and even have an awning so you can relax outdoors whatever the weather. Outdoor heaters are also very popular nowadays, so you can enjoy your new patio even as the temperatures drop.
Add a firepit
The ideal backyard setup wouldn’t be complete without a firepit to stave off the cold weather. It’s the perfect way to enjoy some time outside in your backyard. All you need to do is simply dig a shallow pit in the ground, or build a retaining wall around it. Of course, you can also opt to buy a mounted firepit. Whichever method you choose, it’ll be worth it. Now you can set out some of our reclining camp chairs and share s’mores and spooky ghost stories with family and friends!
Financing your outdoor improvements
While all these features can enhance your backyard experience during the fall, you may be wondering how to finance these upgrades. After all, patios alone can cost anywhere between $5,000 to $35,000 depending on the complexity of the design. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to get the funds you need. One option is a home improvement loan. This is a type of personal loan that lets you borrow up to $40,000 based on your creditworthiness, and doesn’t require you to put up any assets as collateral.
You can also opt for the home equity line of credit or HELOC — a type of secure loan that uses your home as collateral. Though HELOCs have lower fees and provide revolving credit, you need to have at least 15-20% equity in your home before applying.
Of course, you can always choose to spend some of your savings on your backyard improvement projects, should you have the funds on hand.
Ultimately, adding improvements to your backyard is just a matter of figuring out what you want and finding the means to comfortably secure the funds you need. By doing this, you can not only increase the value of your home but it also gives you a backyard that’s a blast to use, even in the fall!
Specially written for PicnicTime.com
By: Raelle Jolaine