With temperatures warming, flowers blooming, and the sun staying high in the sky later, it’s official: spring has arrived and summer isn’t too far behind! This marks the start of backyard and BBQ season and we are here to give you the scoop on how to make your space the talk of the block. To make sure that your space is ready and welcoming, we’ll be guiding you through the ways to create a backyard retreat for spring.
We're pretty sure that by the time you’re done reading this, you’ll be at HomeGoods (or online here at Tile Club!) sourcing some stunning outdoor furnishings.
A backyard retreat is the perfect place for you and your family to unwind after a long day (or week) and find some solace. This indoor-outdoor patio has a gorgeous fireplace installation with our Textured Wooden Beige Leaf Marble Mosaic Tile that makes an instant impression. We’d have all the s’mores if we lived here!
Mix around bright, fun textiles
Outdoor seating doesn’t have to be dull! Spice things up a bit and mix around your textiles. Whether that means using various pattern fabrics, color palettes, or textures, the sky's the limit (or the cloudless sky, should we say?).
You can easily pull in the overall aesthetic from your patio or deck floor tile or wood floors. If you’re using a more trendy porcelain deck tile or wood look patio tile, bring out the colors from within it.
This backyard retreat aesthetic is summer-ready with our Tribeca Aqua Reclaimed Wood Look Tile complemented by the various color pops.
For example, if there are blue undertones, you can grab some turquoise blue throw pillows and pattern throw pillows with blue accents to complement the floors. You can also consider more textured, unique seating like poufs or bean bag chairs (outdoor friendly, of course!). This will give your outdoor area a cohesive exterior design that is far from boring. Plus, it’ll look good all season long - from early spring to late fall!
You can also have a lot of fun with exterior wall tiles and deck tiles. Combining color schemes to create a neutral and natural flow is one of the ideal ways to do it. This allows you to really play up the textiles and colors of your backyard to make a personalized sanctuary or backyard retreat.
When in doubt, go neutral. This base palette is the easiest way to build a super unique, individualistic feeling to your backyard retreat for spring and summer months. We love the way our Dover Almond Stone Look Beige Porcelain Tile was used as flooring; the large format tile creates a seamless design. The pairing with an elongated hex mosaic as an exterior building tile adds texture and contrast perfectly aligned with a contemporary bohemian style.
Don’t underestimate the power of a more ‘basic’ tonal color palette with natural stone look floor tiles on your patio. While it may seem a less exciting option than some colorful porcelain tiles, trust us, you will love the ability to add as many types of color pops as you desire.
Create a splash-worthy pool design
What would a backyard retreat be without a statement pool? Still a sanctuary, but a little, well, warmer. If you want to really step up your outdoor design for the warmer months ahead, then you should consider remodeling your pool with some tiles.
Getting rid of the bland, old vinyl pool lining for something more durable and pretty is your best bet to craft an exterior that’s gorgeously welcoming.
Check out Tile Club's sky blue penny round tiles in this pool. These easy, breezy and stylish traditional tiles are reflective against the light and work well with the fluid nature of the water. They add a shimmering element thanks to the glossy glass surface and all together create an A+ backyard retreat for homeowners.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of tile types that work well in a pool! This means that you can truly craft the water sanctuary of your dreams. To help you out, here’s a quick rundown of the best pool tiles to use (if you want to learn even more, read our pool tile blog post on the subject!).
Porcelain Tiles
Durable, fresh, and fun. Porcelain tiles are known for their low maintenance durability and craftsmanship. You can find these tiles in a wondrous amount of hues, patterns, and shapes.
Glass Mosaic Tiles
Light-loving and space enhancing, glass tiles can shimmer and shine against any water line with their reflective facades. With a myriad of shapes available, from hex glass tiles to subway glass tiles, you can really create an aesthetic that will light the way for sunny days!
Provide spots for poolside lounging
The pool is the centerpiece of any backyard design, which is why it’s so important to make sure that you and your guests have somewhere to lounge post-dip! When it comes to creating an oasis this spring, don’t forget to check out different styles of loungers.
The last thing that you want is for your guests to feel uncomfortable when they come over or for you to dislike your area for respite!
The beauty of a poolside lounger is that it can truly make for a spectacular seating situation. Angle towards the sun, and get a sun-kissed glow. Or, keep in the shade to cool off. We’re personal fans of this high-end, lux backyard retreat design featuring our Vancouver Wood Look Tile. With the sleek, in-ground pool and transitional shading, it has spring time written all over it.
Think about it: Is there anything worse than a lopsided, old deck chair or less welcoming to your back than metal furniture sans some cushions? Likely the answer is no.
So to avoid this, find the perfect lounge-worthy pieces to create a poolside oasis. You can choose cozy chairs, chaise lounges and benches with plenty of washable cushioning (a must-have for outdoor seating!).
Additionally, you can make a lovely centralized chit-chat area with a small café table and a few small chairs that can make a perfect spot for an intimate breakfast or an afternoon glass of wine.
Build an outdoor bar for cocktail hours
Say cheers under the spring sun! Outdoor bars are an awesome addition to any backyard design. After all, it’s 5 o’ clock somewhere and not all backyard retreats have to be chill - they can also just be served chilled!
Plus, who doesn’t love a good backyard cocktail hour? The best way to ensure that yours is done right is by dedicating an area for it.
An outdoor bar area complete with our Black and White Marble Penny Tile covering the façade of the counter and paired with sleek, contemporary bar stools. The white pergola brings out the white lacquer countertops making for a cohesive design that’s for sure cheers-worthy. We love the way the greenery and string lights play to a more natural feeling! We’d likely never leave if this was our yard!
You can craft yours with a freestanding outdoor bar counter and some tasteful bar stools. By adding some string lights on top of a pergola – you can have both style and function to transition the party from day to night. Plus, you can get as custom as you please on the bar counter façade: try using penny tiles or hexagon tiles to create a multicolor storyline that adds a stylish kick to your space.
Designate a grill and chill area
When it comes to creating a backyard retreat, aside from a spot to lounge, you also need a spot to grill and chill! To make sure you do it right, here are a few quick tips.
First and foremost, you want to make sure that there is ample seating for eating. Not just any seating, of course, comfortable seating! Find bar stools to complement an outdoor kitchen island or regular patio chairs to create an outdoor eating area.
This outdoor grill and chill area with a backsplash of blue and white Moroccan tile is one for the books! With the wooden bar stools, kitchen island and modern brick oven…it immediately makes guests want to sit around and indulge in conversation with a side of cheese pizza!
You’ll also want to give thought to the overall ambiance of your grilling area. This, like the rest of your oasis, needs to be welcoming and inviting. Sure, you could just place some chairs and your grill on a concrete slab and call it a day…but is that really ideal for an outdoor sanctuary? We think not!
To create the perfect eat and relax atmosphere, aim for some stylish patio tiles that will draw guests' eyes in. Almost like a yellow brick road to all the scrumptious food you’ll be eating!
Don’t be afraid to bring in some greenery into this area as well. Think tabletop plants or flowers. This will only heighten the ambiance and create a really delightful setup.
A fire pit is a staple in any backyard retreat. We love the green pops of the furniture in this backyard’s design complemented by our Geo Square Wooden Beige Marble Mosaic Tile as flooring. Placing a fire pit in the center with seating around it makes it accessible to keep warm and cook up some roasted, toasty marshmallows all summer long!
Add a variety of flowers and plants
Plants, flowers, and shrubs are your backyard’s best friends. We promise. There’s no such thing as having too much greenery in your space – especially when it comes to making each area of your yard unique and beautiful.
The perfect use of palm trees, for example, can really do a lot to transform a more cold, modern patio area into a tropical rainforest. The defined lines of modern furniture, sleek floor tiles, and other more masculine touches can be broken up and softened by the natural elements.
A perfect example of using greenery the right way to create a stand-out backyard design. Using our Brooklyn Brick Gris Tile as an outdoor flooring option, the designer was able to contrast the neutral tones with bright green palm trees and shrubbery. The result is a corner oasis where family and friends can kick back, relax, and enjoy the sunshine.
All that to say, people really love a biophilic touch! They help to improve moods and have been shown to reduce stress – total winning points for a backyard meant to unwind you in the warmer months ahead.
Create a dining area for ultimate relaxation
Aside from having a stellar seating area poolside or by the grill, you also want to think about having a dedicated dining area. Why? It’s the best way to have all your friends and family gather closer together and enjoy an al fresco dining experience!
When adding your dining area, try to think about the placement – you should aim to have this nearer to your house so that transporting food from the kitchen to the table is easy and streamlined. After all, the last thing you want is to slip on patio tiles by the pool!
Simply elegant and lively, this outdoor dining area showcases the impact of a statement tile on the patio. Using our Square Weave Equator & Thassos Polished Mosaic Tile the space is given a genuinely cool geometric flow that matches the two-tone gray chairs in a stylish way.
Also consider the overall layout of your dining area. This means figuring out the total space needed for your table and chairs. Keep in mind the usual number of guests you have (and your family!) for seating arrangement planning. Once that’s set, pinpoint the flooring beneath the table setup. Adding a statement faux marble floor tile can do wonders to make a space upscale and sophisticated. Plus, the porcelain tile will remain intact if you live in a region with seasonal changes.
Don’t forget a spot for shade
The last (and possibly most important) thing to consider is adding some shading over your seating areas, or at a minimum, creating a dedicated shaded area for lounging. UV Rays are not your skin’s best friend, so be sure to protect yourself and your family by strategically placing shaded areas where you can.
Making a shaded area is key for your backyard retreat. The designer of the above backyard knows this well, and took it into consideration when crafting this space. Using our Retro Blanco Reclaimed Wood Look Tile, and peppering in more sleek, contemporary finishes, they topped off the lounging area with a shaded pergola in white that ties the whole region together nicely.
There are many types of shading options available, so you can find the perfect match for your backyard retreat’s aesthetic. For example, a pergola with a retractable shade overhead gives off a contemporary vibe; on the other hand, a waterproof tarp can give a more bohemian chic feeling. Whichever you choose, just know, it’s the cherry on top of a good outdoor design.
Now that you’ve reached the end, we hope that we’ve left you with some ready-to-use inspiration in creating your backyard retreat! We’re sure that you’ll make a design worth lounging around in. Want even more ideas? Take a look at our Outdoor Tile Ideas blog post for more inspiration.
