Don't worry if you can't go to the beach because you can make your own beach at home! Whether you want to make it in your backyard or near your own pond or lake, you can hit the beach in no time in any season.
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Method 1 of 3: Creating a Beach in the Backyard
Step 1. Remove weeds, then measure the length and width of the area to be used for the beach
Prepare gardening tools and remove all plants in the area that you want to use as a beach. Once the area is clean, use a tape measure to measure the length and width.
- To make the job easier, you may want to remove the top layer of plants using a shovel or hoeing plants that are below the soil surface.
- If you want to install a hammock, this is a good time to make some holes to place a strong and sturdy 10x10 cm wooden plank.
Step 2. Get gravel and sand
Gravel is used as the basis for a beach area that can be shaped like a sand dune contour. The amount needed will depend on the number of contours you want to create. For sand, you will need sufficient amount to cover the entire area with a depth of at least 15 cm.
- Beach sand or building sand is perfect for this purpose and can be obtained easily. Decomposed granite can also be used as a base and can be molded into sand dunes easily.
- If you don't know how much sand you need, enter the length, width, and depth of the beach area you want to create into a sand calculator on the internet. This figure is usually in yards or cubic meters.
Step 3. Lay out a layer of plastic to prevent plants from growing
If you don't apply a plastic layer, over time, plants will thrive in the beach area, even if you have carefully weeded them. You can pull the plant out of the sand, but if you put a plastic layer on, you will prevent the plant from growing and keep the sand clean.
Step 4. Spread the gravel on top of the plastic layer
If you want a flat beach, spread the pebbles evenly over the plastic layer. You can also make small hills so that when the gravel is covered with sand, the area will look like sand dunes. When you are satisfied with the contour, spray plenty of water on the gravel and leave it overnight.
Spraying this bottom gravel will make it harden so that it becomes more stable. So that the sand on it will not fall on the gravel later, you can fill the existing holes and gaps with potting media after the gravel dries
Step 5. Finish the beach in the backyard by adding a layer of sand
Spread the sand evenly throughout the area, but add more in areas that are frequently stepped on, or where you play. This helps keep the pebbles covered in sand and makes the beach more realistic.
- If you don't fill the hole with potted planting media, at first the sand will immediately disappear into the gravel. Continue adding sand until it reaches a minimum depth of about 15 cm.
- Place the rake at the edge of the beach area to make it easier for you to return the messy sand to its original place if needed, and to keep the sand layer deep enough to cover the gravel underneath.
Method 2 of 3: Creating a Beach on a Body of Water
Step 1. Make sure you are allowed to create a beach
Some areas may have regulations protecting areas around bodies of water (even man-made bodies of water), such as ponds. Find out about this with the local government or the Environment and Forestry Service.
- An example of a question you could ask about the regulation would be, "Sorry, I'm planning to build an artificial beach in my own pool. Are there any rules or laws I need to know before I do it?"
- Carefully examine the area you want to use to build the beach. Inadvertently harming endangered animals and plants can put you in danger of being punished.
Step 2. Determine the weed control method
If you just add sand to the shoreline of a body of water, eventually plants will grow and fill the area. As with a backyard beach, you can use a plastic layer to prevent plants from growing under the sand.
- Instead of a plastic coating, you can use herbicides regularly to keep the beach looking sandy and pristine.
- Some areas have regulations prohibiting the use of a plastic layer (or other plant barrier) under a new sand layer.
Step 3. Buy sand with a large grain
We recommend that you use beach sand or river sand with the largest grains. Outdoors, the sand will be blown by the wind and spread into buildings or into bodies of water. Sand with large grains tends to stay in the area of the beach you create.
- On most outdoor beaches, we recommend that you spread the sand at least 15 cm thick, but no more than 50 cm.
- There are some products you can buy (such as sand mats), which can prevent weeds from growing and keep the sand from being washed away by water and blown away by the wind.
Step 4. Remove weeds
This can take a long time if you have a large beach area. A shovel, rake, and a little bit of hard work will eventually solve the problem, but a plow (rototiller), backhoe (a tool similar to an excavator), or a front loader (a type of dredger) will make it easier to get rid of weeds.
Plows, backhoes, and front loaders are of course very expensive. If you really need it, you can save money by renting it at a heavy equipment rental service
Step 5. Install paranet (shade cloth) on the bare ground
Moisture and gases in the soil and air can allow the sand to be absorbed into the surrounding soil, especially in clay. This can be prevented by installing a paranet. Purchase paranets at a hardware store, home supply store, or farm store.
Step 6. Create a short wall, barrier, or barrier for sand
Sand can be washed away unless you have some kind of wall or barrier to keep the sand from moving to the bottom of the body of water. You can use concrete barriers, wooden barriers, or cross barriers to keep the sand in.
Make sure you have clearly marked the sand retaining feature using a buoy, flag, or other similar object so that swimmers don't trip over or get hurt by the barrier
Step 7. Pour the sand and treat with a sand rake
After all the preparations are done, it is time to spread the sand. Next, regularly use a sand rake (such as the one used on golf courses) to prevent plant seeds from growing there.
If the sand becomes flat and hardens, use a plow, hoe, or pickaxe to loosen it several times a year
Method 3 of 3: Decorating the Beach Area
Step 1. Place surfboards, towels, and other similar items for a tropical theme
You can also hang Hawaiian lei (flower necklaces) on surfboards, chairs, bannisters (handrails), and fence posts for a tropical feel.
- To give the feel of a tropical beach, you can decorate the beach with bright colors.
- Hang colorful beach towels on chairs, or spread them out on the sand to sunbathe.
- Bamboo, wood, and linen items can add a beach feel. Keep the theme you apply is always cohesive (unified) and consistent.
Step 2. Plant a beach tree
The beach will look more realistic if you plant trees that usually grow on the beach. You can plant it directly in the sand, but some people prefer to place the plant in a pot. Some of the plants that you can choose to decorate the beach include:
- Arthropodium cirratum (lili rengarenga)
- Astelia chathamica (Silver Spear)
- Austroderia (Toetoe grass)
- Carex Virgata
- Frangipanis
- Yucca faxoniana (Spanish dagger)
Step 3. Make a fire place
When the sun goes down and the temperature cools down, most beach parties will turn into bonfire parties. Collect rocks (or large tiles), then arrange them in a circle to make a fire place.
- Depending on the location of the beach, it may be safer and easier to build a metal fire holder or brazier.
- In some areas, lighting a fire in the open requires a permit. You can get a permit like this at a local government office, especially in the fire department.
Step 4. Enhance the atmosphere of the beach with lighting
Sunlight is the main light during the day. However, direct sunlight can be too harsh on the skin. You can reduce the impact by installing a canopy or beach umbrella.
As the sun begins to set, illuminate the beach area with candles, lanterns, and torches. Use string lights (little lights in a row attached to the cord) to add a magical effect bathed in fairy light
Step 5. Build a sandbox on the beach with a pump pool
The pump pool prevents the sand from spreading and thinning. This pool is ideal for making sand castles. Kids will definitely love it! Add a plastic shovel, small bucket, and other tools to make a sandcastle.
- If you don't like playing in the sand, fill a pump pool with a little water to cool your feet when the weather is hot.
- If you don't really like pump pools or sandboxes, you can place decorative fountains. The sound of running water will have a calming effect.
Step 6. Play beach sounds with a playlist or music station
You can search for beach-themed tracks on YouTube or music sites, such as Pandora or Spotify. Many white noise makers have "ocean sound" tracks that you can use to create a beach feel when you close your eyes.
Types of calypso and reggae music are often associated with a tropical atmosphere. Plug in some speakers and play this type of music to accompany the beach atmosphere you create
Step 7. Finish off with beach-themed items
Spread the shells on the table and use a wicker mat as placemats. If you have small pieces of driftwood, you can use them as decorations in the center of the table. If you have large pieces, you can place them around rocks and plants to create a fresh beachside vibe.
