If you have kids, no matter what their age, then surely at some point along the way you bought a big swing set, complete with a climbing wall, slide and perhaps a clubhouse. And now that big wooden structure is the focal point of your backyard. It can go weeks without anyone playing on it other than the squirrels. But then, there are other days when the kids, young and maybe even not so young, spend hours playing (or hanging out) on it.
So how do you landscape around that big old structure so that it's safe, attractive and not the only thing you look at in your backyard? My advice, take a look at your surroundings, and use as much natural materials as you can. You also want to keep in mind that the play area isn't the only thing going on in the backyard! It's also nice to have some adult seating, entertainment spaces, a place to grill and perhaps even a space to relax!
I found a great backyard assessment guide on the Better Homes & Gardens website. It reminded me that much like inside your home, when designing outdoor spaces, you need to consider who, how and why you are going to use that space. Knowing the answers to these types of questions will help you plan an outdoor space most suitable for your family needs. Click here to review the assessment!
Take this photo for example, it includes a fantastic play area for the kids, a place to eat, a firepit where the grown-ups can hang out and/or the kids can roast marshmallows. The trees and fencing are fitting for the space and provide some nice privacy and shade.
If you have a lot of space outside, or a particular love of gardening, something more along the lines of the this photo might suit you better. Here the homeowner didn't let the swing set be the focal point of the landscape. Instead it's beautifully blended into the backyard with lots of variation in height, color and contrast from the surrounding plantings.
Keep in mind that the ground around the play area should be covered with a material that will provide safe landings. In general, I recommend that the material be around 6-8 inches deep and that it should extend somewhere around 3-5 feet past the end of a your slide.
There are several options for what you can use, and lots of factors to consider....like how it will feel on bare feet (I know my kids always take their shoes off!), the cost of the material, it's appearance, color, environmental impact and whether or not it will absorb heat!
Some surface options for playsets include:
Bear in mind that some types of sand may contain substances that could be harmful for your children, while some types of mulch (especially cocoa mulch) can be very toxic for dogs. Check labels and contact manufacturers before installing your play area ground cover.
You'll also want to add some sort of border around the play set to contain your landing material. The border can be constructed of wood railroad ties, plastic or composite lumber, or a box can be excavated around the swing set and the ground can provide a border.
We understand that safety is your #1 concern, however, your swing set can be incorporated into your landscape design so that that it's not the only thing you are looking at in your yard.
And don't be afraid to steal a few moments on the swings yourself! Nothing takes you back in time like swinging on the swing set!
Cheers!
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.