Create the Ultimate Retirement Backyard

No matter how much you love your job and the people you work with – retiring is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do.

(Outdoor Kitchen Patio Photo: Arcwind via Unsplash)

Being retired and not having to do things you don’t feel like doing, is better than being stuck in your office all day long and not having enough free time. But, once you retire, you’ll have more free time and will be able to use it any way you want. If you don’t want to move or downsize, then adapting your home so you can age in place, is a smart alternative.

Some people love traveling or finding a new hobby, while others prefer relaxing in their backyard and spending quality time with their friends and family. In case you’re one of the latter, you might have to get your backyard ready first, in order to meet your vision of your retirement dream home.

If that’s something you’d like to do too, here are a few ideas to consider:

An outdoor kitchen

Being able to enjoy the outdoors all day long means you’ll probably want to have your meals – alone or with company – in the backyard as well. This is a great idea, but inconvenient if you have to keep walking inside to your kitchen to prepare everything and bring it out to the backyard.

If you have difficulty walking, want to be able to visit outside with company while doing food prep, or simply don’t want to waste your time walking back and forth, a fix to this problem would be to design an outdoor kitchen! Instead of walking in and out all the time, you can prepare your meals in the open and eat them there too.

Find an outdoor kitchen design that suits you the most and don’t forget to add a dining section as well. A roof will shelter you and your kitchen furnishings from the elements and allow you to extend your outdoor cooking /dining season for added enjoyment.

A pool

This might be the oldest trick in the book, but that doesn’t mean it’s ineffective – on the contrary, adding a pool to your backyard can be a smart move. This will create a new hangout spot in your outdoor space, potentially boost the value of your home, help you to get more active than ever, and encourage you to spend more time in the open.

Of course, not all seniors and retirees are fans of swimming, so if you’re among them, you might consider taking this idea in another direction. A hot tub, a Jacuzzi, or one of those tiny pools where you can hang out without actually swimming are just some of the ideas to look into. Whatever you go for, keep in mind that this option will make your backyard more luxurious and inviting than ever, so don’t be surprised if all of your friends suddenly start stopping by!

A fence

Spending time in your backyard also means being able to do whatever you want, whenever you want, and however long you want. After all, it’s your backyard and nobody can tell you what to do and how to behave. However, if you wish to be completely relaxed and comfortable there, you might need to think about privacy as well.

If your backyard isn’t properly secured, you might consider installing a fence that will make it more protected than ever. Opting for professional fencing installation that will ensure durability and total privacy is always a good idea, and this project is going to make you feel safer and better while you enjoy being outside.

A patio

In the end, most backyards feature a patio or deck where people hang out and spend time with their loved ones, so if yours doesn’t have one already – start thinking about what you’d like. Patios are great hangout spots where you can stay as long as you want and enjoy your favorite hobbies, which is why everyone loves them. 

However, your patio won’t be perfect until you equip it with some outdoor furniture that works for you and your lifestyle. Make sure you’ve picked the most comfortable options on the market, and you’ll start spending all your free time out there straight away.

Designing the ultimate senior-friendly backyard isn’t hard at all, so start turning your ideas and vision into reality.

*This article is for general informational purposes only. 50+ World does endorse any product or service providers, nor does it receive remuneration from them. Obtain expert advice – financial, legal, medical, industry-specific, etc. – from qualified practitioners about your unique situation.*