Here’s What Suburban Backyards Looked Like Before Fancy Decks and Pools Took Over
Before Pinterest-perfect patios and curated backyard aesthetics, there was a time when middle-class, suburban outdoor living had its own kind of charm. From slip ‘n slides to iconic patio furniture, these photos are the perfect example of what backyard life looked like years ago.
1. It Doesn’t Get Much More ’70s Than This
What. A. SET. The green, yellow, and white floral pattern epitomizes the 1970s, the tinge of rust epitomizes the middle class, and the fringe just sets it all off.
2. Lawn Flamingos!
The most iconic lawn ornament. We said what we said.
3. The Table and Chairs Everyone Had in the ’90s
From suburban patios to budget hotels, these plastic tables and chairs were everywhere we looked in the ’90s.
4. It Wasn’t a Backyard Barbecue Without a Checkered Tablecloth
Was it even a backyard barbecue if Mom didn’t pull out one of her vinyl red checkered tablecloths to cover the picnic table?
5. The Swings Facing Each Other Were Elite
The wood playground sets were reserved for the families with loads of money, while middle-class backyards sported rinky-dink metal playsets that were just as fun.
6. Sprinkler Days Were the Best Days
We did not need in-ground pools to cool off on hot summer days in the ’70s, ’80s, or ’90s. A sprinkler got the job done just fine.
7. Fun With the Neighborhood Kids
Neighborhood kids basically just took turns gathering at different backyards during the summertime.
8. These Lawn Chairs Were an Accident Waiting to Happen
Seriously, if you ever got your foot stuck between the straps of one of these bad boys, you get it. The bright side of these strappy chairs was that they were really easy to clean with a little Fantastik and a paper towel, which kept Mom happy.
9. The Epitome of a ’90s Dad
The shades. The ‘stache. The polo. The braided leather belt on jorts. The tube socks. The white shoes. The watch. Sheesh, this grilling dad couldn’t be a more accurate picture of the ’90s if he tried.
10. Dad Mowing the Lawn Topless
The clothes on the line behind this guy really round out the vibe.
11. Slip n’ Slides!
Slip n’ slides were the MVP of middle-class summers. Bonus points if Mom let you borrow some dish soap to slide a little faster.
12. Cousins on Cousins
Back in the day, our family barbecues consisted of the entire family. That’s all 13 cousins, all our uncles and aunts, and anyone in between.
13. Tube Socks and Nikes
Birkenstocks and ankle socks might be today’s teens’ favorite footwear in the summer, but back in the ’80s it was all about tube socks and Nike sneakers.
14. The Official Pool Lounger of the ’80s …
We can still feel the back sweat.
15. … And Perhaps the Most Iconic Lawn Chair of All-Time
We all had these. Every single one of us.
16. The Hose Was the Only Place To Grab a Drink …
Remember not being allowed in the house for anything at all during the summer? Our moms would’ve never purchased bottled water back then. The hose was the only answer.
17. … Unless You Stumbled Upon a Lemonade Stand
Of course, if you lived in a middle-class neighborhood, you might have put up a lemonade stand a time or two.
18. The Only Pool We Needed
These pools came in a box, filled up with the hose within minutes, and were cheap enough that our parents could just throw them out when summer was over. They were the most practical pools around.
19. We Can Feel Our Thighs Burning Just Looking at This Picture
Yeah, these babies were HOT under the sun.
Want a closer look at middle-class life back in the day?
Be sure to check out 12 Things Every Middle-Class Home Had in the ’70s and 10 Retro Photos of the Middle-Class American Dream. You’ll also enjoy 9 Things That Once Defined Middle-Class Success (and What Replaced Them) and 11 Signs You Grew Up in a Middle-Class Household.