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50 Backyard Essentials That’ll Help You Create a Dreamy Oasis

Renée ReardinRenée ReardinUpdated: May 20, 2022

Transform your outdoor space into your own private getaway with this selection of dreamy seating, colourful pillows, and quirky extras.

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Backyard Essentials 5
Image: Suech and Beck

Get Comfy

Sprinkle a mix of popsicle-bright throw pillows on outdoor seating for a punch of colour and comfort. Stripes and solids, trims and fringe, and florals and tie-dye all add cheer to summer days.

  • Oui Outdoor Pillow Broken Stripe Tiger Lily, $40, indigo.ca
  • Rust Toned Fringed Outdoor Cushion: $30, HomeSense
  • Red Floral Patterned Outdoor Cushion: $30, HomeSense
  • Oui Outdoor Pillow Mini Flange Sunflower, $40, indigo.ca
  • Shibori Outdoor Lumbar Cushion: $30, HomeSense
  • Oui Outdoor Pillow Broken Stripe Washed Indigo Multi, $40, indigo.ca
  • Long Green Outdoor Cushion: $25, HomeSense
  • Oui Outdoor Pillow Broken Stripe Black & White, $35, indigo.ca

(Related: Our Best Summer Smoothie Recipes)

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Backyard Essentials 2
Image: Suech and Beck

Sitting Pretty

Give your terrace some French bistro charm with these wicker seats and table, perfect for your morning espresso or cinq-à-sept aperitif.

Swap your standard tree pot for something with more texture, like these woven grass baskets made in Ghana.

Set the scene for your outdoor escape by playing your favourite tunes on this splash-proof Bluetooth speaker.

This terrazzo pot makes a pretty home for your favourite plant.

These insulated tumblers will keep your rosé chilled as you sip while soaking up the sun.

  • Oui Insulated Wine Bottle & Tumblers Set Spiral (set of 3), $50, indigo.ca

Dreaming of a lakeside escape but stuck on your apartment balcony? Reach for this scented candle—with notes of mahogany, bergamot, coconut, cedarwood, and sandalwood, it’s sure to make you feel like you’re dockside.

Turn your garden accessories into statement pieces by choosing a few metallic stunners, like this bronze watering can.

A handy bucket will keep your family’s drinks ice-cold.

(Related: This Homemade Ginger Beer Is What You’ll Be Drinking All Summer Long)

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Backyard Essentials 6
Image: Suech and Beck

Blanket Statements

Vibrant beach towels add charm to your backyard sun-soak or picnic, making the scene totally snap-worthy.

(Related: The Best Mineral Sunscreen to Reflect the Sun’s Harsh Rays)

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Backyard Essentials 4
Image: Suech and Beck

Reading Nook

A light and airy throw is a smart piece to have on-hand to give your skin a break from the sun and stay warm post-sunset.

  • Ivory + Charcoal Textured Throw with Tassels: $35, HomeSense

Give your outdoor space a healthy dose of texture with a woven area rug. This option is water-resistant and easy to brush clean, making it a fuss-free pick.

Add extra blooms to your garden with this floral rug, perfect to brush off feet by an entryway or for pairing with a bistro set.

Bring a little zen outdoors with this dreamy chair that’s begging to become the hero of your reading nook.

  • Wicker Teardrop Chair with Water Resistant Cushions: $380, HomeSense

Liven up your deck with a printed rug that’ll add interest to a dining or lounge area.

  • Black Diamond Indoor/Outdoor Rug (5×7): $80, HomeSense

Mix geometric prints into your space with these army green cushions, which will complement your backyard’s greenery.

  • Rox Creative Green Dream Cushion Collection, cushion cover set, $140 (feather inserts not included), also sold separately, $55 each.

On brisk mornings spent outside with a cup of coffee and a good book, have a warm blanket nearby to keep you cozy until the sun’s rays warm.

Add a statement piece to your plant line-up with a vase that boasts ample character.

  • White Minimalist Face Vase: $17, HomeSense

Create a cohesive—not matchy-matchy—look with your outdoor plants by mixing and matching herb and plant pots. Choose various sizes and play with colours—like white, black, and clay.

For nights spent entertaining under the stars, place lanterns around the deck to add a whimsical glow.

(Related: 9 New Books to Read to Ease Stress and Reset Your Mind)

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Backyard Essentials 3
Image: Suech and Beck

Dining Alfresco

Keep the colour game going strong with a mix of saturated hues and fun prints. Start with a brilliant throw that can act as both a bold backdrop to al fresco dining and a cozy topper for nights under the stars.

Reduce your screen time while embracing nostalgia by reaching for an instant camera instead of your iPhone to document your reunion with your friends and fam.

  • Fujifilm Instax Mini 11 Instant Camera, $90, amazon.ca

Brighten up your tablescape with confection-coloured polypropylene plates and bowls that are poolside-safe and kid-friendly.

Handcrafted by Colombian artisans and woven with Jipijapa palm fibres, these plaid place mats are an easy way to spice up a table setting.

Napkin rings will make sure your napkins aren’t carried away by a breeze; these wooden ones were hand-crafted in Kenya.

Go the sustainable route with reusable cotton napkins, like these printed picks with scalloped trim.

Speaking of sustainable options, these doodle-covered plates are made from certified organic bamboo fibre and cornstarch, making them an eco-friendly alterative to disposable ones. They’re also shatterproof and dishwasher-safe.

With a bold hue and an ombré fade, these patio-safe glasses are pretty picks for serving fruit-filled sangria, smoothies, and anything else you need to beat the heat.

(Related: 19 Meals and Treats to Make Before Summer Ends)

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Backyard Essentials 1
Image: Suech and Beck

In Full Swing

This tranquil hammock will entice you to dive into your favourite summer read—or just take an extended siesta.

A citrusy pillow adds extra comfort to your swing while brightening up your outdoor space.

  • Oui Outdoor Pillow Citrus Branches Tiger Lily, $40, indigo.ca

Stock up on chocolate, graham crackers and ‘mallows and gather guests around this wood-burning fire pit.

  • Cast Iron Wood Burning Fire Pit: $100, HomeSense

Pour your coffee or tea into this mug and go outside for the ultimate mid-afternoon break from your screen.

Mix up a batch of your favourite summer beverage and pour it into this playful fish pitcher the kids are sure to love.

This floral tray makes it easy to carry your treats and sips from inside out.

  • Oui Tray Summer Floral Citrus $25, indigo.ca

Lend a glow to your outdoor oasis with solar-powered lamps—which will both help to boost the atmosphere and protect the planet.

Next: 37 Eco-Friendly Items That’ll Help You Go Green This Spring

Originally Published: June 09, 2021
Originally Published in Best Health Canada

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