Homeowners spend a lot of time perfecting their home’s interior, choosing the right paint colors for their living room, kitchen, and hallways, finding cozy yet functional furniture, and buying loads of décor to fill every nook. It’s easy to get wrapped up in creating the perfect interior that we often forget or set aside to decorate the outdoor living space. If you’re an avid gardener and enjoy being outdoors at all times, you might be the exception. For the most part, some homeowners will add a picnic table or a couple of chairs outside and call it good. If you enjoy spending time in the sun and hosting outdoor gatherings, you’ll want to upgrade your backyard with a fun activity like a bocce ball court. It’s the perfect way to bring some excitement to your summer parties.
Bocce ball is a fun outdoor game for all ages. Each team takes turns tossing a bocce ball toward a smaller ball. It sounds simple but does require strategic thinking. The bocce ball court is low-maintenance and elevates every outdoor space. You can swap out a part of your lawn for the court and enjoy both outside. According to June Scott of June Scott Design, bocce ball courts “are a good way to add a significant element that does not need to be irrigated and is water-permeable” via Sunset. Here’s everything you need to know about installing a bocce ball court in your yard.
Flat surfaces and adequate drainage are ideal for bocce ball courts
While anyone can add a bocce ball court to their yard, only some yards will have everything needed to hold a court. A wide, flat lawn is crucial to installing a bocce ball court. The balls should be able to roll smoothly on the surface. A hilly backyard can prevent you from installing a court. Yet, since bocce ball courts are a few feet deep into the ground with a barrier around them, the court can be leveled out to have an even surface.
In addition, you need enough space for the game to last. Typically, bocce ball courts are 86.92 feet long and 13.12 feet wide, sometimes too extensive for a medium-sized yard. However, landscape architects can create a bocce ball court of any size that will be large enough for the game to be played. Landscape designer Molly Wood of Molly Wood Garden Design has created a 22-foot long and 6-foot wide court in a few of her clients’ homes per Sunset. You can easily customize the court’s size by figuring out how many players will be playing.
Another consideration is rain. You want your court to withstand all weather, so it must have proper and excellent drainage to avoid pools of water in the middle of it. The court is made up of gravel, then covered in sand, clay, or synthetic turf. Installing French grains underneath will help with drainage.
Choosing a location and styling your court
Bocce ball courts instantly elevate a backyard’s appearance, but you want to choose the best location with a breathtaking view or surroundings for guests who aren’t playing to enjoy. You’re creating a next-level social activity, and folks should enjoy a view of the mountains if you live on a hill, the beach if you live next to the ocean, or the beautiful flowers you grew in your yard. You don’t have to reside in a massive house with a view of the city, but you don’t want your yard to look bleak. Spruce up the court and the yard with tall trees for shade. Planting tall trees will give your family and friends shady areas to hang out under when the weather is hot. Set up a few seating areas like benches or chairs for guests to rest while their teammates toss the ball.
You can also grow a few shorter shrubs and flower beds to beautify the space. By including similar materials, such as gravel, sand, or rocks, you can match the court to the rest of your landscape. Display a few boulders around the court for contrast and texture to the flat space. On the other hand, install a pergola nearby if you don’t have larger trees to provide enough shade for your guests. You can also include a chic table set with chairs for your family and friends to enjoy.
