How to Make Your Backyard Feel Like a Resort

Multiple seating areas

An area for dining, another for lounging, maybe some seating around the fireplace or fire pitmdash;now you have an outdoor space thatrsquo;s perfect for entertaining, but also useful for every day. Creating a layered backyard will make it more useful, but will also make it feel more luxurious.

Cover it up

You can spend several thousand dollars on a pergola or patio cover, creating a permanent structure that extends your living space. But, a covered outdoor space doesnrsquo;t have to be expensive. Take a cue from resorts and put up a big articulating umb>

Add a bar

Sidle up to this three-piece bar, currently on sale for just 209, and your intimate get-together is now a party. Itrsquo;s also perfect for hanging with the family. Pack an outdoor fridge or cooler with drinks or drink fixinsrsquo; and no one has to go inside and get the floor wet.

Up your barware game

You canrsquo;t have a cool bar without cool barware. Part of the fun of being on vacation is ordering a cocktail, which arrives in a fancy glass. You can replicate that feeling with a visit to Tuesday Morning or HomeGoods or to a site like Wayfair. The best partrdquo; Theyrsquo;re plastic, so you dont have to fear a broken glass situation.

Spring for the good towels

If the towels at the hotel yoursquo;re staying in are old and hole-y, it might be time to find a new hotel Same goes for your towels at home. Plush, oversized towels can make the experience of swimming or lounging so much more enjoyable.

Light it up

Good lighting is key both indoors and out, and that simple patio light probably isnrsquo;t cutting it. Why not string some twinkle lights over your dining table or across the fence? Accentuate an outdoor living room with mood lighting on a tabletop or opt for something wall-mounted. And donrsquo;t forget the task lighting for outdoor kitchens