Better Homes and Gardens BH&G Backyard Retreats 2022

The more time we spend at home, the more we want to make our home a relaxing oasis. Revitalizing the backyard is a game changer when it comes to maximizing the enjoyment of your home. Whether you’re looking for quick style upgrades you can make this weekend (“Weekend Projects,” page 4) or inspiration for dressing up a drab shed (“Find Your Sweet Escape,” page 28), you’ll find it here in Backyard Retreats. You’ll also see more in-depth projects, like the resort vacation-inspired one by a couple who transformed their backyard into a lush refuge (“Everyday Getaway,” page 78). And the refinished deck with added seating that gave new life to another couple’s suburban backyard (“Made for Entertaining,” page 46). And now, it’s time to get started creating your own backyard retreat!…

How to Restore Wood Furniture MATERIALS + Wood chaise longue+ Sander with medium-grit sandpaper+ Drop cloth+ Primer (We used Sherwin-Williams PrepRite ProBlock Primer/Sealer in White.)+ 2-inch angled paintbrush+ Deck paint (We used Rust-Oleum Restore 4X Deck Coat in White, Graywash, Blue Sky, Porch, and Lagoon.) Step 1. Sand the chair so the frame and slats are smooth. Remove dust by wiping the chair with a damp cloth. Let dry. Step 2. Place the chair on a drop cloth and apply a coat of primer with a paintbrush, covering every nook and cranny. Let dry overnight. Step 3. Cover the frame and legs of the chair in two coats of white paint, allowing the paint to dry for two hours after each coat. Step 4. To create an ombré look, paint the top half of the back’s…

ORGANIZE YOUR GEAR SO YOU DON’T WASTE TIME LOOKING FOR SUPPLIES AND HAVE MORE TIME TO SPEND WITH FRIENDS. Signature Drink Keep supplies on hand to make a crowd-pleasing beverage at a moment’s notice. SHIRLEY TEMPLE + 2 Tbsp. maraschino cherry juice+ Ginger ale or lemon-lime carbonated beverage, chilled+ Maraschino cherry and orange slice Add cherry juice to an ice-filled glass and top off with ginger ale. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.…

LET’S DO IT DIY blogger Aniko Levai (placeofmytaste.com) imagined so much more than the ordinary 10×10-foot deck that came with her family’s home near Richmond, Virginia. With vision and lots of carpentry help from her handy husband, Miki, she created a split-level outdoor getaway that draws her family of four (and her neighbors) to the backyard for much of the summer. ► START WITH A PLAN Aniko looked forward to meals outside with Miki and their sons, Bence and Patrick, so she designed the lower deck around a table for four. ► ANCHOR SEPARATE SPACES Aniko and Miki replaced the old deck and the paver patio with a two-tier pine deck, then accented each living space with an indoor-outdoor rug. ► EXPAND THE ACCESS Without the old stairway railings, the narrow stairs now run the width of…

a modest midcentury home in Des Moines checked all the boxes for new homeowner Joseph Wanek, except for the sad screen patio on the back of the house. “The 1970s screen framing was rotting, and the concrete floor was dirty and neglected,” Joseph says. With the goal of gaining bonus space for entertaining friends, he brainstormed budget-friendly solutions for rehabbing the covered patio. Joseph and Nick Sellers discovered a screen system they could install themselves that could be customized to fit the space. The patio was fashioned into a second living room. They then added a trellis along one wall and a mini bar that withstands the elements. “We hang out there most evenings in the spring and summer, and our favorite thing is sitting out there during a thunderstorm,” Joseph says. “WE…

UPHILL BATTLE Built into a hill, this backyard lacked privacy and style. A new two-tier retaining wall contains erosion and offers a perch for landscaping. Fencing above creates a cozy secluded feel for a paver patio that serves as an outdoor living space. RETAINING WALL Perennials soften the look and prevent the retaining wall from feeling like a fortress. Maiden grass on the top level creates interest but doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. On the lower level, low-growing plants like creeping juniper mix with a variety of grasses, such as dwarf fountain grass and Blue Heaven little bluestem, helping it seem fresh from season to season. PATIO FURNITURE Bring the comforts of home outside to furnish a lounge-worthy patio. Group outdoor chairs with a rug, end tables, an outdoor lamp, and potted plants for…