10 Ways to Turn a Gazebo Into a Backyard Getaway

If you're the proud owner of a backyard gazebo, you know that they are an extremely convenient and fun addition to the home. Whether you use your gazebo for entertaining, some quiet nights outdoors with family and friends, or as shade from the sun during the summer months – you know that the various uses for your gazebo can seem quite endless. If you like to try and find every excuse you can to use your gazebo, investing in some "upgrades" for your backyard beauty may be something that you should consider. Right now, you may be dealing with a pretty standard, open air gazebo – but by making some minor changes, you can use your gazebo like never before.

1 – If you use your gazebo in the evenings, you know that bugs are always an issue. Even though you're under the cover, the large open air windows allow giant breezeways for the pesky pests to get in. Instead of buying citronella candle after citronella candle, investing in some screens for your gazebo's large open windows will help you solve the problem. With all of the money you'll spend on bug spray and candles, you can spend it on a one time investment that will continue to benefit you.

2 – If you have the space in your gazebo, adding a table to the center is a great idea. If you find yourself constantly lugging small tables from inside the house to play a game or use to set food on inside the gazebo, having a table inside the gazebo at all times will make your life much easier. You can easily permanently attach the table to the gazebo floor and even add fun, seasonal centerpieces for a little extra décor inside the gazebo.

3 – Many homeowners use their gazebos as an entertainment feature for nighttime gatherings, so installing a light fixture in the gazebo itself will help you to keep the party going even after the sun goes down. There are many safe, outdoor lighting fixtures available at any hardware store that you can easily install and maintain. Instead of dragging everyone inside to play a game of cards, you can stay right where you are and just flick on the lights.

4 – If your gazebo has become a play shelter on sunny days for the kids, it's a good idea to keep a small toy chest in the gazebo for them. By keeping outdoor friendly toys there & limiting which toys can be used in the gazebo (stay away from things with a lot of small parts or paper that can be blown away by the wind), you can be sure that toys and game pieces won ' t be lost outdoors.

5 – Although it looks simple, creating a walkway with stepping stones leading through your yard to your gazebo is a great way to make it feel even more like a true "extension of the home". It will also help the grass that is normally walked on to access the gazebo from getting too "trampled" looking, ruining an otherwise perfect landscape.

6 – If you often use your gazebo for entertaining, some simple landscaping can make all the difference in the impact that Shelter has on your guests. A gazebo alone is beautiful, but adding some small shrubs and flowers along the base and entryway of the unit will help to truly set it apart as a feature of the backyard. Coordinating flower colors to the shades of your home (and your gazebo if it's painted) will help tie together the theme of your backyard just like a professionally designed room.

7 – If your gazebo is currently not painted, you can add some color and coordination to it by painting it in the same colors as your house. Just as you would coordinate items in your living room, your gazebo is an accessory to your home. By having it match its surroundings, you can give it an entirely new look and feel.

8 – If you do not want to install screens in your gazebo, but you're still looking for something to fill those big open windows – hanging baskets of flowers or greenery, as you would on a front porch, will help to fill up these gaps and give your gazebo some beautiful accent pieces. You can switch out the flowers depending on the season, and the baskets are easily removable for the winter months.

9 – If you use your gazebo for a food buffet during entertaining, it might be a good idea to place some picnic tables or benches around it so guests do not have far to walk after they get their food. You'll also be able to use the tables for other things during the year like outdoor dinners at home or even an outdoor activity place for the kids during the summer.

10 – Finally, a gazebo is really an extension of the home and a beautiful asset to any backyard. By keeping it maintained and ensuring that the landscaping around it is always properly cared for, your backyard will definitely look like a getaway. As a homeowner, it's your responsibility to keep your backyard looking it's best – and paying some extra attention to your gazebo will help you accomplish just that. By getting the most out of your backyard shelter, you'll be getting the most out of your backyard.