7 Secrets to Creating an Outdoor Oasis

Disclosure: I am a member of the Sears Blogger Squad and was compensated for this post. All opinions, as always, are my own. Thank you for your continued support of STSL! <3

Hopefully you guys aren’t too sick of all the new house talk yet, because I’ve got some more of it for ya today! And today we’re talking beautiful backyard spaces.

How gorgeous is that?!?!?

So one of the things that I’m constantly thinking about the pros and cons of with building a new house is the yard…or better yet, the lack thereof.

Now don’t get me wrong…I am absolute thrilled to be building our new home! But one of the perks of going the route of buying an existing home would have been that it would likely already have a backyard. And grass. And maybe even a deck or a pool! With building, you’re starting completely from scratch.

So on the one hand, I find myself getting totally overwhelmed because I want all. the. things. right away. Grass, check! Back deck/patio, check! Sunroom, check! New pool, check! But, unfortunately, these things don’t come cheap and they’re likely things that we’re going to have to save for and acquire over time (although hopefully we’ll at least be able to get that grass growing ASAP!).

But on the other hand, it leaves room for endless possibilities! So since I’ve come to acknowledge the fact that it’s going to take some time, I’m now embracing it and using this time to really think about what I want to save for in order to create our “Dream Outdoor Oasis.”

Granted, some of the things that would be in my “dream” outdoor oasis are likely not feasible (hello cascading waterfall flowing into a beautiful inground pool)…but that doesn’t mean it’s not fun to, well, dream about ‘em, right?

Here are a couple of things I’d really love to do over time to our new outdoor space (whether or not we’ll be able to, who knows)…

Add an inground pool. Since I’ve had one most of my life, and we have one at our house now, it’s definitely something I’m going to miss. I’d love to be able to eventually add one, however, the price tag with an inground pool these days blows my mind (20-30k is apparently not too far off…YIKES).

But really, how beautiful is that?! We’ve been saying that, in the interim, we may wind up looking into getting an above ground pool in the off-season for a discounted price so we’ll have it for the next summer. And hey, whether it’s above ground or inground, it will still serve the purpose of keeping us cooled off!

Build a back deck or patio large enough for entertaining. Jay and I love to entertain. And when the weather is warm enough, being able to do it outside is 10,000x better (less mess in the house, baby!). I’m still on the fence about whether or not I’d want a wooden deck or a cement/pavers patio (although I know the patio will definitely be more $$$), but both of them can be equally appealing…

Build a fire pit. We currently have a small fire pit in our backyard and it’s great. We (i.e., Jay) put it together quite easily with some old bricks we had lying around, but I’d really love to be able to tie it in somehow to whatever we’ll already have existing. For example, having them built right into a back patio…

Absolutely LOVE!

Add some string lights. There’s just something about the look of lights strung up in the backyard that screams cozy. And I also, for lack of a better term, I totally think it makes the space feel just that much more “fancy,” don’t you think?

I mean, I could certainly get used to having date nights outside like that!

Get a fun patio set. We have a couple of patio sets now, but they’re pretty basic. One of them is from one of local grocery stores and I think we bought it for like, $89 or something like that.

They’ve certainly served their purpose when it comes to being able to dine outdoors, but I’d love to be able to get something that’s more for a casual entertaining spot. Something like this setup with a couch, chairs, and table from Sears.

And actually, Sears has a ton of different items for outdoor living spaces! You can find them all at Sears.com/outdoorliving

As a slight side note, do any of you remember the show Trading Spaces on TLC? I used to watch that show all. the. time. back in the day, and I totally remember watching Ty Pennington as the quirky, funny carpenter on the show.

Now, he’s a Sears Outdoor Living and celebrity designer, and he’s teamed up to offer 7 secrets to the art of creating the perfect outdoor oasis!

Ty Pennington’s 7 Secrets to Creating an Outdoor Oasis:

1. Build your base, add over time – After envisioning your dream outdoor space, you can purchase an entire patio collection at once or build it over time, depending on your entertaining needs. Fortunately, the Ty Pennington Style Parkside Collection encompasses 20 matching outdoor necessities – from a loveseat and ottoman to a dining table, umbrella and even a resin wicker swing. It allows you to make additions to your set on your own time. The collection is now available in three colors for custom personalization.

2. Get to grilling – Whether you’re a novice griller or a seasoned outdoor pro, Sears has the grills to match your space and skillset. With 40,000 BTUs of power, a side burner and two large wheels for easy maneuvering, the Kenmore 4 Burner Gas Grill with stainless steel lid is ideal of the beginning griller. If cooking for a crowd is more your style, consider the Kenmore Elite® 600 Series 4 Burner Gas Grill. With 694 square inches of total cooking area, 64,000 BTUs of power, and a cast iron side burner to cook side dishes and sauces, it’s the ideal grill for the avid entertainer.

3. Welcome small spaces – Think your condo balcony or ocean-side deck is too small for outdoor entertaining? Think again. For an intimate yet eclectic look and feel, consider the extensive line of bistro and bar sets available at Sears. They are easily customizable and ideal for dining for two.

4. Go green and add some color – Nothing dresses up a patio faster than plants and flowers. Many planters at Sears coordinate with our patio collections. Refresh your patio with colorful rugs, pillows and cushions. In addition, a strategically-placed patio umbrella can do more than just block the sun – it can define your entire outdoor space. After all, summer parties should create a relaxed vibe.

5. Make your move, weigh your priorities – Summer is moving season. Whether you’re moving from the city to the suburbs or from a single-family home to a condo in the city, match your outdoor entertaining to the space you have. If moving to a market with extreme climates, invest in durable furniture that can stand up to the environment. Consider patio furniture with a rust-resistant steel frame, UV-resistant fabric and an all-weather resin weave like the La-Z-Boy Charlotte 4 pc. Seating Set available at Sears. This set will accommodate your guests comfortably while upholding inclement weather for years to come.

6. Dine with family and friends – Party hosts know the frustration of carrying food back and forth between the kitchen and the backyard. Fortunately, the Kenmore 5-Burner Island Gas Grill with Refrigerator takes elements from the kitchen to the great outdoors. With a side searing burner, a storage cabinet, two storage drawers and a built-in refrigerator, hosts can focus on the food and their guests with fewer trips to the kitchen.

7. Consider your climate – The most popular patio sets on the market are made with either aluminum or steel. Steel is heavier than aluminum but can rust over time. Aluminum is naturally rustproof and generally requires less maintenance. For added protection, make sure your patio set has a heavy duty powder-coated frame if you choose steel.

Throughout the spring and summer seasons, Sears will offer a great selection of outdoor living collections and grills, including collections from Ty Pennington Style, Grand Resort, La-Z-Boy Outdoor, Kenmore and Kenmore Elite®.

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Thanks, Ty!

As for all of you guys…want to create your own dream patio? Sears is currently holding a Shop Your Way Sweeps at ShopYourWay.com/SearsPatioSweep…all you have to do is become a Shop Your Way member for FREE and enter for your chance to win 1.5 million Shop Your Way points to bring your outdoor oasis to life. Ohh, how amazing would that be?!

Visit Sears.com/outdoorliving to find more tips on grilling and outdoor entertaining.

Questions for today:

• What does your dream outdoor oasis look like?
• What are you updating/sprucing up in your outdoor space in preparation for summer entertaining?

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