Creating Our Backyard Oasis | A Summer Backyard Makeover
Creating Our Backyard Oasis: Our Summer Backyard Makeover So Far
If you’ve been following along on YouTube, you know that one of our biggest projects this year has been completely transforming our backyard!
What started with one very big decision—to install an in-ground pool—quickly turned into a much larger backyard makeover. Once the pool was complete, we realized just how much work there was still left to do around it.
Our goal has never been to create a perfectly finished backyard overnight. Instead, we’ve been working on it little by little, tackling projects ourselves, staying mindful of our budget, and reusing things we already have whenever possible.
Since I haven’t had a chance to share all of the progress here on the blog, I thought it would be fun to catch you up on our Backyard Oasis Series so far!
And trust me, a LOT has happened.
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Backyard Oasis Part 1: We Built a Pool!
This entire backyard transformation started with something that actually wasn’t part of our original plan at all.
When we moved, we brought the above-ground pool from our previous home with us. After an unsuccessful attempt to install it ourselves—and a lot of discussion about what would work best with our property—we eventually made the decision to install an in-ground pool instead.
We wanted to create a place our kids could enjoy for years to come, but we also wanted our home to be a place where friends and family could gather. Since we plan on being here for a very long time, we decided this was an investment we were willing to make.
Of course, building a pool on a mountain came with a few challenges!
There was excavation, several days of breaking through rock, concrete work, plumbing and plenty of decisions along the way. We chose an organic-shaped pool with a deep end, built-in bench, darker liner, stone coping and even a slide for the kids.
And seeing water finally go into that pool after months of construction was such an exciting moment!
There is so much more to the pool-building process than I could possibly cover here, so if you’re curious about why we chose the pool we did, the features we selected and what the construction process looked like, you can watch the entire first episode below.
Once the pool was finished, however, we were left with something else…
A pretty big mess!
Backyard Oasis Part 2: Cleaning Up & Creating a Functional Backyard
Pool construction did a number on our backyard.
There was mud, rock, construction debris and dust everywhere, and our covered patio had basically become a holding area for pool supplies, boxes and equipment.
So Part 2 was all about starting to make the backyard functional again.
One of the biggest projects Nelson tackled was adding gravel between our covered patio and pool. Besides being much more budget-friendly than adding additional concrete or stone, the gravel helps keep mud, grass and debris away from the pool and patio.
We also gave the patio a much-needed deep cleaning and started creating designated places for everything.
One of the best additions was a new outdoor storage shed where we could finally keep all of our pool supplies, cleaning equipment and the kids’ pool toys contained instead of having everything scattered around the patio.
Nelson also tackled another project the kids had been patiently waiting for—the pool slide!
We purchased the slide separately and installed it ourselves, which ended up saving us quite a bit of money.
Little by little, the backyard was finally starting to look less like a construction zone and more like somewhere we actually wanted to spend our summer.
We also added chaise lounges near the pool, giving us a comfortable place to relax or watch the kids swim.
There were still plenty of projects left on our list, but this was the point where we could finally begin seeing our backyard oasis taking shape.
And then it was finally time for my favorite part…
Making everything feel cozy!
Backyard Oasis Part 3: Creating Our Outdoor Living Space
By Part 3, most of the big projects were behind us, which meant I could finally start working on making the backyard feel more inviting.
And instead of running out and buying everything new, I really wanted to shop our own home first.
We had outdoor furniture sitting near our cottage that wasn’t being used, but after being exposed to the elements, it definitely needed some love.
I cleaned and pressure washed the furniture and cushions, refreshed some older metal benches with spray paint and brought out an outdoor rug we had saved from our previous home.
The difference was amazing!
Things we already owned suddenly felt new again, and we were able to create an entirely separate outdoor living area underneath our covered patio without having to start from scratch.
We also added a small bar-height table and chairs, a large adjustable umbrella for extra shade and a rolling cart that we can use for drinks, food and supplies whenever we’re entertaining outside.
Meanwhile, Nelson continued extending the gravel around the pool to help reduce the amount of grass and debris that ends up in the water.
By the end of this update, the backyard finally started feeling like the space we had imagined when this project began.
Our Backyard Oasis Is Still a Work in Progress
One thing this project has reminded me of is that your home doesn’t have to be finished for you to enjoy it.
There are still things I’d love to add to our backyard. I’d eventually like more landscaping and potted plants, and there are plenty of smaller projects we can tackle over time.
But after spending so much of the year working on this space, we also made a point to stop working every once in a while and simply enjoy it.
We’ve already hosted family and friends, spent countless hours in the pool with the kids, eaten meals outside and enjoyed some beautiful sunsets from the patio.
And ultimately, that’s exactly why we created this space in the first place.
As summer begins winding down, I’m already looking forward to crisp mornings with a cup of coffee on the patio and cooler evenings spent outside with the family.
Our backyard may not be completely finished, but our little backyard oasis has come a very long way.
If you haven’t watched the series yet, start with Part 1 and follow the transformation from the very beginning. There are so many projects, behind-the-scenes moments and details that I couldn’t possibly fit into one blog post!
WATCH THE COMPLETE BACKYARD OASIS SERIES
▶ Part 1: Building Our In-Ground Pool
[WATCH HERE]
▶ Part 2: More Backyard Upgrades & Progress
[WATCH HERE]
▶ Part 3: Creating Our Outdoor Living Space
[WATCH HERE]
And stay tuned because, as usual around here, there’s always another project waiting for us!
