With summer in sight and many quarantine orders still going strong, you might find that the need to hit the beach is greater than you ever imagined. During this time, a lot of people are taking matters into their own hands by transforming their backyard into a beach oasis. Some of these projects are taking up quite a bit of money, but there are a few things you can do to cheaply bring the ocean to your backyard. These items won’t just leave you with a beautiful place to go when you can’t get to the beach but will also give you a fun project to enjoy while you’re stuck at home.
1. Build a Sandpit
Sand is one of the major draws when it comes to most beaches. So, when you’re planning your ocean oasis in the backyard, you shouldn’t overlook the sand element. This can be one of the best elements of the beach, especially if you have kids to entertain. The best thing about building a sandpit is it is actually very easy. To begin with, find an area of the yard to designate as the pit. Then, clear the area of weeds, rocks, and so on. Once you have everything ready to go, place down some weed block, a thick plastic, or even a tarp to help prevent weeds from overtaking your pit. Then, add your sand. You can purchase this fairly inexpensively from many retail stores like Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowes. You might consider misting the sand every now and then to make it pliable for kids to play in. If you love the finer details, then you can also add some seashells.
2. Add a Pool
Swimming is a big part of beach life, so a pool is a must when you’re planning your backyard oasis. If you have a pool already then you’re set, but if not you might want to invest in one. You can easily get a normal pool and decorate the exterior to give it the beach vibes you desire. However, if you want to really get into the oasis look then you might put in an inground pool. This can be costly, so if you don’t actually plan on swimming then you can easily make your own pond that can double as a beachfront. Simply dig a small hole in the yard and add some kind of liner. Then, fill with water. You can place sand around the area to add to the effect. Although you might not be able to swim in this pool, you will be able to put your feet in the water while you soak up some sun. You can also do this with a baby pool if you don’t want to deal with liners. This might last you a bit longer too.
3. Plant Efficiently
If you really want to add to the atmosphere of your beach, then planting is one of the best things you can do. Beach plants can really make the environment shine, so make sure you add this element to your landscaping plans. The best thing about creating a beach is the plants used are exceptionally easy to grow. You might research which plants will grow best in your area before you get started though, so you don’t wind up feeling discouraged if your plants don’t make it. Most of these plants are pretty resilient but learning how to care for them will definitely help out. There are lots of guides online, so make sure to check them out before you order seeds or plants.
4. Beach Games
Of course, activities are a major part of beach days. Although you might not be able to embrace the waves, you can still play some of the more famous beach games. One of the easiest things to do is set up a volleyball area. This can easily be done with a cheap net and any sand that you have leftover. You can even use a cheap blow-up ball instead of a volleyball if you don’t have one lying around the house. Another element to add to your backyard fun is a frisbee. This can create hours of fun for the whole family. If you have enough space then a kite is another fabulous option to try out, especially if you have younger kids. If you do have a pool, then grabbing a boogie board can add to the fun while creating a more beach-inspired atmosphere.
5. Fire Pit
One of the more romantic elements of the beach is a fire under the stars. This might not be plausible in your backyard unless you have a fire pit to help keep the fire under control. You can purchase a wide variety of fire pits online though, so if you’d like a fire to celebrate your beach yard, then it is entirely plausible. However, if you want to save some money, building a fire pit isn’t hard at all. You might even have all of the materials needed at home already. Once you get your fire pit ready, make sure you have plenty of great snacks to cook under the stars as you sing your favorite songs and enjoy the atmosphere you created.
6. Boardwalk
The boardwalk can be one of the most exciting aspects of the beach. Unfortunately, you can’t really recreate some of the more social aspects of the boardwalk, like the restaurants, bars, and live music. However, you can create the appearance and the overall atmosphere of the boardwalk. You might grab some beach wood to create beautiful walkways to help highlight the different areas of your backyard. You can also redo your porch or patio with boardwalk inspired wood. When the hard work is complete, add some charming lights for the atmosphere or some tiki torches to give you the beach vibes you are craving.
7. Relaxing Seating
When it comes to the beach, relaxing is the biggest draw for most people. One of the easiest ways to bring a relaxing atmosphere to your home is to grab some beach-inspired seating. You can start by adding some beach chairs to the area. You can keep it simple with a lounge chair that you can find at most retail stores. However, you can also add some classic Brighton Beach styles if you really want to make a statement. Another cheap option is to just keep beach towels on hand that you can lay out on the land when you want to soak up some sun. Finally, a hammock is one of the more notorious beach seats. You can purchase a hammock quickly, but this relaxing bed is also very easy to make at home. There are many different types of hammocks too, which will definitely help you mix up the style of your beach oasis.
8. Consider Food
Food is another major part of the beach, which you might be longing to enjoy. Unfortunately, it can be hard to get beach vibes here, but you can try your hardest to recreate some of the dishes you might find. If aesthetic is what you’re going for then set up a concession stand or tiki bar to add to the good vibes. You can fill the concession stand with items like chips, sodas, and other snacks you might typically get from the beach. Your tiki bar might be wonderful for mixed drinks, juices, smoothies, and beer. Of course, if you have a grill then you can easily just whip up a few burgers and hot dogs or grill up vegetables and fish for a beach treat everyone will enjoy. If you want to keep things cheap then make yourself a picnic and get a durable cooler for all of your cold drinks.
9. Paint the Fence
The view of your fence might really cut back on the beach atmosphere. So, if you’re really feeling dedicated to your ocean oasis, then you might consider painting a nice scene from the beach on your fence. You don’t have to be a professional to pull this off as there are numerous tutorials to help you out. You can even use a stencil if you’re feeling nervous about your skills. There are a lot of different things you can paint on your fence too. If you love to surf then add some surfboards in the foreground with lots of waves in the background. If you’re a sunset person then add a colorful sunset to the fence. You can also keep it tranquil with seagrass in the foreground and a calm sea in the background. If you love ships, then add them to the mix. You can even create a huge scene with sea monsters if that’s your thing. This can be a great project too that will help you keep your mind off of everything that is going on.
10. Discover Soundtracks
Nothing sets the mood quite like a wonderful soundtrack in the background. One of the best things you can do is find a playlist to play in the background. If you love parties or surf vibes, then toss on some Beach Boys and related music to keep the positive energy going. Of course, if you’re just wanting to kick back and relax then find a playlist that offers the sounds of the ocean. There are so many streaming services that will offer these options for free, which can help you add the finishing touches to your backyard ocean.
Going to the beach might not be plausible this summer but hanging out in your backyard is. These tips will help you make the most of your summer while still helping you to get the beach vibes you desire. It doesn’t matter how far away you live from the ocean; these tips will make you feel like you’re living in a beach house, which will certainly help with this year’s added stress.
