Outdoor Living Ideas

10 Best Backyard Wedding Decor Ideas

A view down the wedding aisle of a backyard wedding includes decorated chairs on the side and an archway at the end.

Most wedding venues have limited dates. You have to book months — if not years — in advance. However, there is one venue that is always available: your backyard. Many people enjoy celebrating backyard weddings because they’re budget-friendly, offer flexibility for setting up and taking down decorations, and are perfect for accommodating small groups of people. Your guests can relax in a casual environment or you can make your outdoor living space look like a more formal venue..

Outdoor Bar Ideas: What to Consider When Planning an Outdoor Bar Area

Outdoor Bar Ideas Collage

With so many outdoor bar ideas out there, it can be tough to narrow down your ideal backyard entertainment area. Google is a great place to start, and Pinterest is packed with unique bar options, but it’s easy to become overwhelmed when you’re not sure what you’re looking for.

How To Turn Your Pool House Into a Guest House

A collage of photos featuring a pool house with finished bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen

A pool house is a multi-tasking addition to your house. Not only can you store toys and maintenance equipment in a pool house, but you can also use it to change and shower instead of dripping chlorinated water throughout your house. A pool house is an ideal option if you enjoy throwing backyard parties because guests won’t need to enter the main home. 

Outdoor Kitchen Ideas for Your Backyard

So many appliance choices when working with a limited budget can make building an outdoor kitchen seem intimidating. But it doesn’t have to be. 

Outdoor kitchens are a passion of Homestead Sales Rep Steven Lapp, so we recently sought his hot take on these increasingly popular backyard entertainment additions. We hope his five favorite outdoor kitchen features below provide some inspiration for your newest project.

6 Outdoor Fireplace Ideas for Your Backyard

Summer days can get sweltering hot, but some summer nights may make you want to turn up the heat. There’s a fireplace for that. Adding an outdoor fireplace or fire pit can really set the mood. 

But with all the different options, how do you pick the right outdoor fireplace for your home?

Once you decide whether you want a gas or wood-burning fireplace, it’s time to decide on style. 

Fireplace Ideas for Your Backyard

Heat up your outdoor entertainment space with any of these backyard fireplace ideas.

Does a Swimming Pool Add Value to Your Rental Property?

Potted plants adorn a swimming pool with a slide in a fenced-in backyard.

Rental property owners need features that will attract residents. Swimming pools are one option if you want to stand out from your competitors. 

Analysis by Zillow's rental search engine, HotPads.com, found that pools not only attract more residents, but people are willing to pay higher rent for them. The study, which included data from 50 major American metro areas, found that renters were willing to pay 4.5% more (that’s $70 per month, on average) for a place with swimming facilities. 

Family-Friendly Pool Games and Activities To Help You Stay Active

Four smiling family members in a pool float side-by-side on a pool noodle wearing sunglasses and posing for a picture.

Summer is a time for family, fitness, and fun. Some may spend the break from school indulging in lazy days in front of the television, but for many of us, the warmer weather invites us outdoors. It’s important to find a balance and encourage your entire family to get outside an be active. One of the best ways to accomplish this during the simmering summer days is to plunge into the cool water of a swimming pool.

5 Ways to Cool Your Pool House

Pool House with Origin Bi-Fold Doors & 3 Sets of French Doors

Adding a pool house to your poolside makes for a great relaxation and entertainment space for your backyard. It allows you to use your backyard is a ton of new ways, even if the day isn't quite perfect for actual swimming. With an enclosed or sheltered pool house, you still have a great hangout spot to relax, have a few drinks, enjoy some shade, etc. 

New Styles of Our Siesta Poolside Bar are Now Available

Blog Image of new Siesta Styles

One of the best parts of our job here is brainstorming new pool house designs to keep our styles fresh. The Siesta Poolside Bar (everyone’s favorite little pool cabana) is a great example of this.

When we first released the Siesta about 10 years ago, it came standard with a hip roof design (and a myriad of siding, bar counter, and interior options.) A little over 5 years ago, we introduced the Siesta with an a-frame roofline.

And now, we have 2 more styles we’d love to introduce you to, which are almost a year in the making.

The Ultimate Guide to Pool Safety for Children and Pets

A child with goggles on in a swimming pool hugs their pet bulldog. The bulldog is wearing a lifejacket and standing at the pool’s edge.

If you have a pool, it’s likely the beloved centerpiece of your yard and garden. Not only is it beautiful, but it’s also a place where you and your family can gather for fun, spend time together, and make lasting memories. However, your pool is also one of the most dangerous parts of your home, especially for your children and pets.