The way people used to have fun back in the “old days” consisted of going outside and playing catch, jumping rope, and even skipping rocks. But as technology emerged, being outdoors became less and less fun because video games were more fun… But oh how the tables have turned.

According to CNBC, since the pandemic, Houzz reported a 58% increase in project leads for home professionals last June. What does that mean? It means that people are rediscovering the beauty of being at home and are finding ways to make being at home more enjoyable by way of spending more time outdoors and investing in their outdoor spaces.

If you think about it, it actually makes perfect sense. And it’s honestly about time people start valuing being at home more anyway because it’s really not that bad, especially if you have the right essentials in place. 

That’s not necessarily saying you have to go all-out and have an in-ground swimming pool installed with a waterfall and grotto (unless you have the budget for that). But there are indeed smaller investments you can make into your outdoor space that will make it more enjoyable for the entire family. 

Deck or Patio

According to MoneyTalksNews, having a patio or deck installed in your outdoor living space tops the list of popular home improvements during the pandemic. A deck or patio is basically an outdoor bonus space to your indoor living space. In fact, think of it as an outdoor living room!

This is an outdoor space where you can truly bring indoor living outdoors with the addition of comfortable patio furniture, a dining table and chairs, and a grill. All of these items make for an enjoyable space whether you’re hosting a cookout, enjoying a romantic evening for two, or getting together with friends for your weekly “girls night in” outside!

Putting a Playground in the Backyard

As an adult, outdoor fun for you will definitely consist of relaxing on comfortable patio furniture and a glass of your favorite drink. But if you have small children… they could care less about that patio furniture! So how do you create an outdoor space for them to enjoy? By building a beautiful and functional playground for them.

You can always take the kids to the park and let them play on the playground, but with the pandemic still going on, installing one in your backyard lowers the risk of spreading germs. These at-home playgrounds can be found online or at your local landscape or home improvement stores, and they typically come as a kit, so installation shouldn’t be too difficult.

Add a Basketball Goal

When it comes to outdoor fun, nothing beats the classic game of basketball, or at the bare minimum, the act of simply shooting the ball in the goal. But regardless of how you play, there’s no denying the fact that it’s an outdoor sport that’s fun for everyone, regardless of age.

Now, depending on the setup of your home, there are various types of basketball goals you can invest in. If you have a garage, you can hang a basketball goal over your garage door; If you have a driveway, you can set up a portable or adjustable basketball goal. You just have to assess the space you have to work with to determine which type of goal will work best. Then the games can begin!

Start a Garden

Sometimes enjoying being outdoors has nothing to do with actually doing some kind of sport or having drinks… Sometimes enjoying being outdoors consists of simply taking in all the beauty of nature by cultivating it, and starting a garden is one way to do that.

You don’t have to necessarily have a green thumb to enjoy gardening. You can start a small potted plant garden if you want to take baby steps first. Some simple things to plant include various herbs, tomatoes, and radishes. As you get your footing with potted plants, you can then graduate to planting things in the ground and see how that works for you.

There are many more ways to make your outdoor living space more enjoyable but it all depends on what you find enjoyable. If you enjoy doing yoga, consider taking your yoga mat outside and doing it surrounded by nature. 

Your enjoyment of the outdoors is totally based on you. So take a moment to really think about the things you enjoy doing most, and figure out how you can incorporate them into your outdoor living space!