The days are getting longer, sunny days and warm evenings are upon us, and summer is just around the corner. Let’s get your backyard dialed in to create an environment no one will want to leave. Expanding your living space to your backyard is something that we Californians have the luxury of doing for the better part of the year, so make sure that you create a space that you can’t wait to spend your time in… a backyard sanctuary, if you will.
Comfy Cozy
Having backyard furniture is paramount in creating your backyard living space… the more comfortable and cozy your space is, the more time you will spend out there. While this will be an investment, it is one we recommend making since it really will be like an extension of your living room. This past year that all of us have spent more time at home than ever, we have learned that being intentional with your space is the best way to ensure no square inch is wasted – including your backyard!
While you can of course try to snag up some deals on Wayfair, or Amazon – shopping for furniture without sitting in it first is quite a commitment – not to mention the hassle of returning it if you don’t end up liking it. We recommend stopping by our favorite local furniture store, Janeen’s Furniture in Visalia. They are family owned and operated and have high quality options as well as great sales. The staff at Janeen’s will make sure you find what you are looking for.
Bites and Nibbles
Once you have a place to sit and enjoy your space, next up is having some summer time snacks! One of the best things about living here in the Valley is being at the epicenter of the farm to fork movement. There are TONS of local growers and farmers that make having a farm to fork spread, pretty easy to accomplish. We recommend a trip to the Visalia Farmer’s Market, they are open every Saturday from 8-11:30a and they have something for everyone. Be sure to check out their Instagram page and their highlights (especially if you have an EBT card, they have a really great program so you can stretch your money!)
No one likes cooking over the stove on a hot summer day, right? Sometimes we don’t even feel like eating a hot meal. A cold salad, or little nibbles are quintessentially summer and always seem to hit the spot. One of our favorite things (all year long) is a nice charcuterie board to graze from. Making a visually appealing charcuterie board is quite the artform. If you haven’t quite mastered it yet, you can order one from At the Graze and Alycia will create a masterpiece for you that’s almost too pretty to eat… but just almost! We can tell you that it will be enjoyed and go quickly! Follow her on Instagram to see how mouthwateringly gorgeous her boards and boxes are.
Make it FUN
Adding a mix of cute little decor touches and adding in some nice potted plants is a great way to make your backyard fun. Some bistro lights or twinkle fairy lights are a great, easy way to add ambiance. There are tons of great solar powered options too so you don’t even have to turn them on – the sun will set and they switch on for you… Brilliant! We love the mason jars filled with fairy lights that can hang in your trees that look amazing during the day and night.
Adding bird feeders, plant stakes, candles, and wind chimes will personalize your space. Eighty4Metal Works is a local maker who creates all kinds of amazing art with horseshoes, including horseshoe wind chimes. If you want to be sure to not only add to the good vibes in the backyard, but also keep the bugs away, Candles by Deseree has you covered. She is an independent distributor of the Tulare based candle company, Scent-Sational Candles. They have all kinds of candles, including citronella.
We have a few other Instagram accounts we think you should check out too for some local vendor goodness that will really level up your backyard game. For the cutest potted succulents, you must check out SugarSuccs in Visalia, they have something for every style. We love Letter and Grain and all of the modern decor options they have for both in your home and out. If you’ve never been to Luis’ Nursery in Visalia – drop everything and head there now! Or at the very least, follow them on Instagram for some solid inspo. Don’t skimp on adding some activities to your space… DBH makes amazing custom cornhole sets that will provide hours of fun and great memories for years to come.
If the Budget Allows
Looking to invest with your stimulus money? Or even pull some equity out of your home to take your backyard to a whole new stratosphere of “ahhhh-some”? Then we have a couple of professionals you can look into. If you head over to Mezquite Garden’s Instagram to see the amazing landscape designs they have created here in the Central Valley, you will be swooning in no time. They are located in Strathmore and have a second location in Visalia and are a one stop shop for creating a dreamy backyard. From irrigation to design and lighting, they are the full package and will put together a free design quote for you.
We all know too well that the Valley is HOT… the best way to make your backyard a true oasis is to add a swimming pool. Brad Wilson over at Island Pools Inc. out of Fresno will put you at ease through the whole process. From pool design to custom patios and decking, they do it all and can truly transform your backyard into a vacation dream space.
The Whole Shabang?
Maybe… just maybe you are looking for a home that is already equipped with the perfect backyard? Well, if that’s the case, then of course you know we have got you covered! We know you have heard this for the better part of the last year, but it is still very true — we have a LOW inventory of houses on the market. If you are ready to sell and take the gains from that sale and upgrade to another home, we have agents standing by to help you with buying and selling.
If you are anxious about selling and then being in a position that you are in huge competition for your next home, let us settle those worries. Head over to one of our previous blog posts where we explain why sellers that become buyers are in a great position, especially with our agents who have been wading in this market’s waters ever since the real estate market tides began to change. We have got you covered. Please reach out if you would like to explore some options – we are here to connect with people, one property at a time.