Backyard Play

There’s just something about watching the kids run out barefoot into the backyard and having a proper place to play. A good outdoor playground doesn’t have to mean a giant jungle gym — but it does need a safe surface, especially if your garden gets muddy or the ground is uneven. That’s where rubber mulch comes in. […]

Designing a backyard play space when you live in the woods is a little different than setting up shop in the suburbs. You’ve already got the magic—trees, birdsong, mossy corners—so the trick is to work with what’s there, not bulldoze over it. A good outdoor play area in woods should feel like a natural extension of the

Got a pool, a patio, and some sun? Then you’re already halfway to having the ultimate summer hangout spot. Whether you’re hosting a wild water balloon bash for the kids or just setting up snacks and seating for a mellow backyard birthday, your pool area deserves a little decorating love. You don’t need a designer

Let’s be honest—landscaping in California can feel a bit… dramatic. You’ve got the endless sunshine, yes, but also dry spells, wild weather shifts, and toddlers who treat the backyard like a scooter racetrack. I remember standing outside one summer afternoon, hose in one hand, staring at my crispy front garden wondering how my neighbours somehow

If you’ve ever shared a backyard with neighbors (or family you mostly like), you’ll know it’s a bit of a dance. A little “hi, morning!” at the bins, a nod over the fence during a Saturday clean-up, maybe even an accidental lawnmower swap. When it’s a duplex setup? That dance gets way cozier — and if you

Let’s be honest—side yards usually get the short end of the garden hose. Too narrow, too awkward, too shaded, too… “I’ll figure it out next summer.” But here’s the thing: with a little planning and some budget-friendly inspiration, that weird in-between space can actually become your favorite backyard hangout. We’re talking cozy corners for iced

If you’ve got a couple of stubborn tree stumps just hanging out in your yard—refusing to decompose but too charming to rip out—you’re not alone. Honestly, they’re like little forgotten tables just waiting to become something. And if you’ve got kids, curious guests, or just a love for outdoor magic, you’ll be happy to know:

Let’s be real—there’s nothing like hearing a backyard full of kids shriek-laughing while launching themselves through sprinklers and slipping on slightly-too-wet grass. That, my friend, is the sound of a summer splash party going just right.Whether you’ve got a pool, a hose, or just a dream and a few buckets, you can totally pull together a

Some of us just aren’t lawn people. And honestly? That’s fine. There’s something kind of freeing about skipping the mowing, skipping the weeding, skipping the soggy mess after a week of rain. A grassless backyard might seem like a compromise at first—but it can actually be the start of something much more creative, practical, and

You ever walk past someone else’s backyard and think… why does their outdoor space look like it belongs in a movie and mine looks like I’m still waiting on furniture delivery from 2006? Same. But here’s the thing: dream backyards don’t have to be big, fancy, or professionally landscaped. They just need to feel like you. And maybe

If you’ve ever looked out your back door and thought, “I just want somewhere to sit that doesn’t cost a fortune,”—you’re not alone. Backyard seating can feel like one of those things that should be easy, but somehow turns into a full-blown Pinterest scroll spiral with $800 rattan sets and too many throw pillows. I mean… I

Let’s be honest—the idea of installing an outdoor sink might not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about backyard upgrades. But after one too many trips inside with muddy hands or a basket full of freshly picked veggies, the thought becomes more appealing. I remember the countless times I wished for

Okay, so here’s the thing. I thought I needed this super fancy outdoor kitchen with a pizza oven and built-in sink and marble countertops and all that. But then I remembered two things: 1) my wallet says nope, and 2) I’ve got kids running around using sticks as lightsabers and a backyard that’s more “bit

Somehow, summer makes me feel like I can cook anything—as long as I don’t have to turn on the oven indoors. Honestly, once we hit those long warm evenings, I’m all about the backyard life. But dragging half the kitchen outside every time we want grilled corn or a last-minute burger? Nope. I’ve been there,

You know that feeling when the weather finally warms up and you just need to cook outside? Like, tongs in one hand, lemonade in the other, kids running around, and everything smelling like grilled veggies and chicken skewers? That’s what we wanted. But let me tell you, our first “barbecue area” was just a wobbly grill on

There’s something magical about eating outside. Maybe it’s the way food tastes better in the open air, or how the kids seem to argue less when there’s a breeze. But creating an outdoor dining space? That can feel overwhelming—especially when the budget’s tight, and the backyard looks more like a storage zone than a sanctuary.

You know that awkward strip of land between your house and the fence? The one that’s currently home to a few weeds, a forgotten hose, and maybe a rogue soccer ball? Yeah, that side yard. It’s easy to overlook, but with a bit of creativity and some budget-friendly ideas, you can transform it into a

Honestly, I wasn’t planning on doing anything fancy with our backyard this year. But then I tripped over the hose for the third time in a week, and suddenly gravel paths felt like a genius-level idea. You don’t need loads of money or landscaping degrees to lay one—just a bit of patience, a free-ish weekend, and

There’s something about a backyard pool that feels like the dream, right? Especially when summer hits, and suddenly everyone’s hot, sticky, and trying to fill the paddling pool without flooding the garden. But let’s be real—big custom pools can be expensive and high-maintenance. If you’re a regular family with a regular budget, the idea of

Summer always starts off dreamy in our heads, doesn’t it? Long days, sandy toes, everyone smiling in the sun like a smoothie commercial. And then three days in, someone’s crying over the wrong popsicle flavour, the lawn’s half dead, and your wallet’s like, “Absolutely not.” But summer doesn’t have to be expensive to be brilliant.

If there’s one thing we love more than grilled corn and sparklers, it’s a backyard game that gets everyone laughing — even the uncle who usually just hovers near the ribs pretending he’s “just supervising the smoker.” The 4th of July is that dreamy summer moment where it’s completely acceptable to eat cake with a

Last summer, I tried to throw a “casual little water party” for the kids. Just something simple. A hose, a few plastic tubs, and Liam’s half-deflated dinosaur sprinkler that spits sideways if you breathe near it. Within ten minutes, Emma had turned the slide into a log flume ride, and someone (probably Liam) filled my

You know that exact moment when the sun sets, the BBQ’s still smoking, and the kids are half-covered in grass stains? That’s when you realise — we really need better lighting out here. We’ve had string lights zip-tied to a rusty pole and hanging off a tree branch since last summer, and while it sort

We live in a neighbourhood where every second house has a trampoline, a dog that barks at birds, and at least one parent yelling, “Shoes off before you go inside!” And honestly? I love it. Suburban life might not always be glamorous, but it’s got its own kind of charm — and that really comes out when

You know that exact moment when the sun sets, the BBQ’s still smoking, and the kids are half-covered in grass stains? That’s when you realise — we really need better lighting out here. We’ve had string lights zip-tied to a rusty pole and hanging off a tree branch since last summer, and while it sort

Not to be dramatic, but turning your roof terrace into a liveable family space might just be the best thing since indoor plumbing. It’s like adding a bonus room you didn’t know you had—except it comes with fresh air, a skyline view, and endless chances to spill juice without panicking about the rug. If you’ve

If you’ve ever tried to host a backyard dinner party while also yelling “Don’t chase the dog through the mud!”—you’re probably ready for a patio upgrade. Porcelain tile might not sound exciting at first, but it’s kinda the quiet hero of family outdoor spaces. It’s easy to clean (bless), doesn’t get as slippery as you’d

You know those garden photos where everything looks perfect? Like someone mopped the lawn, styled the paving stones, and their kids just never spill juice? Yeah, not me. My backyard is more like a rotating chaos zone—chalk drawings, snack wrappers, and a cat who thinks every flower bed is his personal lounge. But even with

So here’s the thing—some of us weren’t exactly blessed with sprawling backyards or rolling lawn space. My own little slice of outdoor heaven? Long, skinny, and slightly sloped. It’s kind of like trying to decorate a hallway… that’s also a garden… where your kids are somehow always barefoot and your cat thinks the flower pots

Let me tell you something personal — last summer, our neighbour Dave built a deck that’s basically at eye-level with our garden chairs. Lovely chap, but no one (and I mean no one) wants to make awkward eye contact while deflating a paddling pool or picking up stray socks from the lawn. That’s when I realised: privacy