Outdoor Living: How to Create a Backyard Paradise for All Ages
Tips, Ideas & Inspiration for Designing a Backyard Oasis for the Whole Family
At Napavine there’s something for everyone. This stunning backyard includes a fireside lounge, gunite pool and spa with a waterslide, and a custom pavilion over the outdoor living room with a mounted all-weather TV and lounge.
Creating a backyard that caters to the needs and desires of the entire family can be a challenge. A well-designed, family-friendly backyard should be a haven for relaxation, play, and memorable gatherings. You want an aesthetic that matches your home and taste while incorporating elements of whimsy and fun to entertain children. It also needs to have longevity—you don’t want to invest in a dream yard for your 2- and 5-year-olds only to have them outgrow it in a few years. Incorporating elements that will be fun from childhood through adolescence takes forethought and planning. Whether you have young children, teenagers, or are still family planning, we’re here to help you create an inviting outdoor space for all ages. This guide will help you design the perfect backyard for your whole family.
Safety First: Kid-Friendly Features
When designing a family-friendly backyard, safety should be a top priority. Here are some essential safety features to consider:
Soft Surfaces: Use grass, rubber mulch, or sand around play areas to cushion falls.
Fencing: Install secure fencing to keep children and pets safe within the yard and away from pools and water features when unattended.
Alarms: Many building departments require alarms on gates and doors that lead to swimming areas. Even if this feature is not required in your area, it can be a great precaution to keep young children safe and your mind at ease.
Automatic Pool Covers: Auto covers make a great addition to inground pools, opening and closing the pool at the flip of a switch. Not only do auto covers offer convenience, they are a wonderful safety feature. Most reputable pool covers can withstand weights in exccess of 2,000 lbs. Auto covers stretch over the surface of the pool anchored to the pool coping, making it nearly impossible for a child or animal to fall into the water when closed.
Non-Toxic Plants: When landscaping, choose plants that are non-toxic and safe for children and pets. The key to relaxation is knowing your kids are safe in their own backyard. If you have to constantly monitor them as they explore the garden, you’ll never be able to fully relax.
Visibility: Design the space so you can easily keep an eye on children from different vantage points. Kitchen windows or doorwalls that overlook the backyard make it easy to watch the kids while you prepare a meal. A fireside lounge overlooking the pool is perfect for adults to socialize while children swim. Spas and sunshelves are must-have pool features, providing a relaxing spot to watch kids splash and jump while you decompress.
Our Sutherland build features an inground pool with an auto-cover for added safety, a spa for relaxation, and a sunken trampoline for sky-high fun! The covered porch with a fireside lounge and TV, is the perfect place for adults to relax and socialize while children jump and play.
Play Areas: Fun for All Ages
Incorporate play areas that cater to different age groups and interests. Elements that cater to young children should be designed as temporary additions that can easily be updated as your children outgrow them.
Play Structures, Swing Sets, Sandboxes, and Slides: These classic elements provide endless fun for younger children. But you’ll notice a steep decline in their appeal as your children age. We recommend incorporating elements like this with forethought. Think about how easy it will be to remove the structure once your children have outgrown it and have a plan for how the space will be utilized after. Sometimes there is a clever compromise that will please everyone. For example, a set of chic hanging basket chairs makes for a stylish accent piece and appeals to young children, adolescents, and adults alike.
Trampolines: Traditional trampolines are sure to please your little ones but they’re an eyesore. Try a sunken trampoline, like our Sutherland project. You’ll get all the fun, superior safety, and a far sleeker appearance.
Athletic Courts: Sports are ageless fun. Incorporating an athletic court is a fantastic way to provide recreation and exercise for every member of the family. Whether your sport of choice is basketball, soccer, tennis, or pickleball, a putting green for golf enthusiasts, or Bocce Ball for relaxing fun, the possibilities are endless.
Swimming Pools: You’ll never outgrow a swimming pool, a surefire way to please the whole family. Pools are the perfect place to relax, floating on the tranquil water, exercise with water aerobics or swimming laps, or have a blast, jumping and playing games. A pool with features such as a shallow sun shelf, built-in spa, or water slides can enhance the experience, making it a central hub for family fun and entertainment. The appeal of a well-designed inground pool truly transcends age, making it a valuable and enduring investment in your family's outdoor living space.
Our Amityville project is a perfect example of a backyard oasis that appeals to the whole family. This design incorporates a spa and lounge for relaxation, putting green and deck jets for a bit of fun and whimsy and a chic, modern design for a backyard that is as beautiful as it is functional.
Our Napavine project features a gunite pool with a water slide, a sure fire way to entertain the whole family. This is one slide your kids will never outgrow.
Our Spring Hill project features a gorgeous custom pavilion. With floor to ceiling glass accordion doors, the pavilion can be used year round. Inside the Spring Hill pavilion you’ll find an outdoor kitchen and living room with a fireplace and mounted all weather TV.
Relaxation Zones: Spaces for Adults
At a certain age, nothing is more enjoyable than relaxing! Having comfortable areas to unwind throughout your outdoor space is key. Consider a fireside lounge, a sunshelf or spa in your pool, a shaded lounge under a custom pavilion, or bar seating around your outdoor kitchen. Whatever option or combination appeals to you, be sure to create areas where adults can relax while keeping an eye on the kids. Here are a few of our favorite relaxation zones:
Custom Shade Structure: From pergolas to pavilions to lanais, there are countless possibilities for custom shade structures that combine the functionality and aesthetic you are looking for. These structures can range from a simple latticed-roof pergola, offering partial shade, to an elaborate four-season lanai like the one at our Sadie Shore project. For a deep dive into custom shade structures, check out our guide: Designing a Custom Shade Structure: Pergola, Pavilion, or Lanai, Oh My!
Sunbathing Lounge: Comfortable lounge chairs on the pool’s surrounding patio are wonderful, but if you want to take it a step further, consider a sun shelf. Demand for sun shelves has skyrocketed in recent years, and it’s no secret why. The large, shallow shelf built into a gunite pool provides the perfect place for relaxing. With a ledge lounge chair, you can sunbathe, read, or watch others swim while you relax as if floating on the surface of the pool. Additionally, a sun shelf is the perfect place for small children to splash, play, and get comfortable with the water.
Fireside Lounge: Fireside lounges are the epitome of cozy relaxation and socialization for both adults and children. Adults can unwind and enjoy intimate conversations by the fire, making it an ideal spot for evening gatherings and late-night chats. The warm glow of the fire creates a welcoming ambiance, perfect for enjoying a glass of wine or a cup of hot cocoa. For children, a fireside lounge offers endless fun—from roasting marshmallows and making s'mores to telling ghost stories under the stars. This versatile space brings a touch of magic to your backyard, creating cherished memories for family and friends alike.
Hot Tub or Spa: After a long day, there's nothing quite like sinking into the warm, bubbling waters of a hot tub or spa. The heat and jets work together to soothe sore muscles, reduce stress, and promote overall relaxation. This therapeutic experience can be enjoyed year-round, making your outdoor space a go-to destination for unwinding and recharging. Whether it's a pre-fabricated hot tub incorporated into your outdoor living space or a built-in spa integrated with your gunite pool, there’s no more luxurious addition for relaxation and enjoyment.
Our Stoney Point project features an infinity pool with a spa and a sun shelf large enough for four ledge lounge chairs.
Our Kingston project features a covered outdoor kitchen with swing seating, a covered dining room and a double sided fireplace with an outdoor living room on the other side.
Bring the Indoors Out: Outdoor Kitchens, Dining and Living Rooms
Creating outdoor living spaces similar to those inside your home is a great way to seamlessly transition everyday life and family time into the fresh air. Whether it's an outdoor kitchen for cooking dinner or hosting friends, a cozy outdoor living room for unwinding with the family or watching a Friday night movie, or a dining area for enjoying meals together, bringing your indoor spaces outside enhances family time and makes the most of your outdoor environment.
Outdoor Kitchen: An outdoor kitchen is the perfect hub for family gatherings and entertaining friends. Equipped with a grill, sink, refrigerator, and ample counter space, an outdoor kitchen allows you to cook and serve meals without missing out on the fun happening outside. Customizing your kitchen with features like a pizza oven or a smoker can further enhance the cooking experience, making every meal an event. With the convenience of a fully functional kitchen outdoors, you can enjoy the fresh air while preparing and sharing meals with loved ones.
Outdoor Dining Room: An outdoor dining room creates a perfect setting for family meals and gatherings under the open sky. A sturdy dining table, comfortable chairs, and a protective canopy or pergola can transform your backyard into a delightful dining space. This area allows you to enjoy breakfast with the morning sun, lunch in the shade, or dinner under the stars. With the addition of string lights or lanterns, you can enhance the atmosphere, making every meal a special occasion. An outdoor dining room not only encourages more family time but also makes dining an enjoyable part of your outdoor living experience.
Outdoor Living Room: An outdoor living room extends the comfort of your home into your backyard, providing a cozy space for relaxation and socializing. Furnished with weather-resistant sofas, chairs, and coffee tables, this space can be as comfortable and inviting as any indoor living area. Add elements like a fireplace, outdoor TV, and soft lighting to create a warm and welcoming ambiance. This space is ideal for family movie nights, evening conversations, or simply unwinding with a good book, offering a seamless blend of indoor comfort and outdoor beauty.
Lighting: Enjoy Your Backyard After Dark
We can’t stress enough the importance of good landscape lighting. Not only do you extend the usability of your backyard into the evening and improve safety, you set the over all ambiance and mood of your outdoor space. Our article How to Design Picture Perfect Landscape Lighting takes an in depth look at the importance of landscape lighting and how to properly design the lighting for your unique property.
Designing a family-friendly backyard involves balancing the needs and desires of all family members. By incorporating safe play areas, comfortable relaxation zones, and functional living spaces, you can create an outdoor environment that is both beautiful and practical. With thoughtful planning and design, your backyard can become a cherished space where your family creates lasting memories together.
Ready to transform your backyard into a family-friendly oasis? Contact Ventures today to start designing the outdoor space of your dreams!