Get Ready for Backyard Summer Fun with these 10 Trends that are Super Hot Right Now
TREND #1 | Local Meat Markets
TRENDING LOCAL MEAT MARKETS OFFER NEW RECIPES
With the local meat shortage due to the pandemic, many are turning to their local meat markets for quality items. Popular for summer include unique, never-tried-before recipes. Grilling isn’t only for hot dogs, hamburgers and chicken! Visit your favorite local meat markets and try something new this summer. A couple of favorites include:
Caseys Foods, Naperville, www.caseysfoods.com/recipes
Ream’s Meat Market, Elburn, www.reamsmeatmarket.com
Prime & Tender Meats, Hinsdale, www.primentendermeats.com
TREND #2 | Albariño Wine
TRENDING SUMMER WINES TO LOVE
There’s nothing more relaxing than sitting out back, taking in the sounds of summer, sipping your favorite glass of wine. Trending wines for summer include Riesling, for its sweet aroma; Albariño, Spain’s quintessential refreshing white wine made from a variety of white grapes; and, of course Rose– a steadfast favorite! We can’t forget to mention Moscato. Aldi’s Moiselle Moscato to DELIGHTFUL! Cheers.
TREND #3 | MinniDip Pools
STEP RIGHT IN & FEEL REFRESHED WITH THIS HOT TREND
Who says blow up pools are for kids? The pandemic brought the closure of countless west suburban pools and with it came the desire for a solution to hot summer days. With these you can splash
away your days in style. Available at MinniDip.com
TREND #4 | Printed Pillows
ADD COLORFUL PILLOWS TO YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE
If you’re looking for one way to bring the indoors out, add some splashy patterned pillows - the more colorful, the better. Many stores are offering pillow covers now, so you can switch up, mix and match, and trade trends from season to season. Visit Nona Jo’s and Velvet Grace for fun home accessories, some pillow styles available.
TREND #5 | Mocking
REST AWAY YOUR AFTERNOONS WITH THIS FUN TREND
One of the hottest trends of summer is the Hammock. Are you ready to start mocking? Mocking enthusiasts are spending their afternoons setting up and chilling in a hammock with no plans at all but to enjoy the pure relaxation while suspended effortlessly in a sling of fabric, rope or netting. July 22 is National Hammock Day, so don’t be surprised if you see mockers hanging around in the trees.
TREND #6 | The Outdoor Bar
TOAST THE DAY WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
COVID-19 has many of us retreating to our backyard on more summer evenings than we may have originally planned. Now’s a great time to put in an outdoor bar complete with a counter, refridgerator and bar stools. There are many creative DIY designs available, or hire an expert. Cheers to summer!
TREND #7 | Exterior Rugs
TRADITIONAL DESIGNS ON TREND FOR EXTERIOR RUGS
Outdoor rugs are an easy way to add some traditional decor to your outdoor dining or lounging area. The latest styles are showing traditional patterns in natural, taupes and gray hues. Ther ideal way to jazz up your deck or patio. Beautiul styles availabel at your favorite
local home decor shop or interior design gallery.
TREND #8 | Backyard Yoga
TAKE YOUR RELAXING SPLURGE OUTBACK
Bring a little om into your backyard with yoga. One of yoga’s (many) beauties is it can literally be done anywhere. And it turns out nature enhances your practice in an entirely different way than a studio does. Enjoy increased wakeful relaxation and internal focus—two pretty important components of a rewarding yoga practice.
TREND #9 | LED Lighting Kits
ILLUMINATE YOUR OUTDOOR AREA
Good lighting is a must for any dining and lounging area, allowing you to get the absolute most out of your backyard. One of the best ways to install lighting outdoors, according to John Barnes, who is a design expert with Lamps Plus, is using a DIY Landscape Lighting Kit. “Easy to install plug-in kits come complete with everything you need: LED lights, plug-in transformer, and wire.”
TREND #10 | Miss Kim Lilacs
THE PERFECT SHRUB FOR SMALLER SPACES
Looking for just the right addition to your backyard landscaping, but you don’t want to over do-it or under-do it? The Miss Kim lilac has smaller flower clusters and is a smaller shrub than the traditional common "French" lilac. Being compact, it is a good choice if you're pressed for room in your yard. Its flower buds are less likely to be damaged by frost as it is a later-bloomer. Available at your favorite ocal nursery.