5 Easy Backyard Projects Designers Recommend Tackling This Summer

Summer isn't over yet, and there's still plenty of time to update your backyard space so you can enjoy it for the rest of the season—and beyond! Design experts are weighing in with their top project recommendations that you can easily tackle this weekend or in just an afternoon. They'll make all of the difference!

Hang Twinkle Lights

If you're looking for a super simple project that will make an impact in your yard this summer, look no further than some classic twinkle lights. "Sometimes we hardwire them," says Sydney Levy, designer at Anthony Wilder Design/Build in Cabin John, Maryland. "For a recent project (pictured above), we strung lights from the covered area to the open patio. These lights cast a sparkly glow on the spaces at night and create mood lighting for evening entertaining."

Incorporate Natural Decor

Bring decorative accents into your backyard with the addition of organic pieces, which Laetitia Laurent says can "transform your outdoor space into a tranquil oasis." In this space, she styled a wooden table with driftwood centerpieces for a coastal look. "An inviting and comfortable backyard patio area is essential during the summer, and adding natural décor can instantly transform the outdoor living space into a serene and peaceful oasis," says the founder of Laure Nell Interiors in Boca Raton, Florida.

Jazz Up A Privacy Screen

Privacy screens aren't solely for indoor spaces; Shauna Glenn, the founder of Shauna Glenn Design in Dallas, Texas, enjoys using one in the backyard to separate spaces on a deck or by the pool. "We've seen screens like this at fancy hotel pools and decided it couldn't be too hard to do ourselves," she says. Glenn purchased a privacy screen with wooden slats and then decided to spruce it up using some greenery panels that she ordered off of Amazon, attaching them to the screen using a staple gun. As a finishing touch, she sourced planter boxes from World Market, attached them to the screen, and filled them with additional greenery. "Bonus is that it never has to be watered but it will also hold up in a rainstorm," the designer says.

Purchase A New Planter

Instead of buying the same types of basic planters you see in all of your neighbors' yards, treat yourself to something a bit more unique. "The easiest and most effective way to update your outdoor décor is to invest in a large, colorful planter and fill it with a hearty plant native to your own area," says Shani Core, the founder of Shani Core Interiors in Palm Beach, Florida. Best of all, she says, planters are available in so many price points and styles. Core is partial to a pair and likes to go large when possible. "Not only do they add a dose of Southern personality and color, but the extra layer of greenery makes every backyard (or front porch) a little prettier and more festive," she says of planters.

Style Your Fire Pit

Make your backyard's fire pit area look a little more elevated with some Adirondack chairs—Levy is partial to those made from polywood, which will perform better than teak in when left outside in the winter. "Adirondack chairs come in all types of materials and colors now," she says. "I recommend a single color or finish for a cohesive look. Be sure to include a table nearby as well for drinks and s'mores."