Warm weather, a change of scenery, and a few days to relax—there's a reason we wait all year for summer vacation. But even if you can't get out of town this season, or just want to extend those feel-good vacation vibes, we've compiled a list of 23 ways to give your home that relaxing resort feel. Whether it's transforming your bathroom into a spa, adding bright foliage to the yard, or creating a romantic outdoor dining place, a few projects can revamp your humble abode into a dream destination (shoes are optional).
Hang a Hammock
Nothing says R-and-R like an outdoor afternoon snooze. A backyard hammock lets you rock at your leisure while catching up on your favorite magazines (ahem, that unread stack of This Old House), plow through your summer reading list, or get some much-deserved shut-eye. Just make sure you have two sturdy, healthy trees with enough distance apart.
Build a Fire Pit
Wind down your evening with a fireside chat—literally. Channel your childhood campfire days with a DIY fire pit that is perfect for roasting delicious marshmallows or singing "Kumbaya." A circular stone-walled pit dug into the ground lights up the yard, whether there's a fire blazing or not. And don't forget to stock up on chocolate and graham crackers; s'mores are a must.
Trick Out Your Bedroom
Sleep just seems to come easier on vacation, and it's hard to beat that rejuvenating feeling when you wake up well rested. Fortunately, a good night's sleep does not have to be limited to the days when you're out of town. Just a few adjustments to your current setup can ensure you and your partner sleep like every night is a vacation, without needing to press that nagging snooze button come morning.
Cook Outside
If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen—unless the kitchen is already outside. Taking advantage of the summer weather means spending more time outdoors, and creating a fun and open space for outdoor cooking is perfect for enjoying family time or gathering a crowd. Another major plus is relieving your main kitchen and overall house of the built-up heat coming from the oven and stove, a definite summer bummer.
Build a Relaxing Fountain
Unwinding to the sounds of a babbling brook might seem like a dream involving a tent by a river under the stars. But with a few large stones, a pump, and plain old municipal water, the oasis can come to you. Easier than building a koi pond and cheaper than traveling somewhere far, a DIY fountain has the right amount of soothing sights and sounds to inject some much-needed tranquility into your yard.
Fix Up Your Outdoor Furniture
Soaking up the sun in your outdoor lounger is near impossible when the darn thing is falling apart. The good news is even with the worst snags and tears, you won't need to shell out a hefty amount of cash for a whole new set. To make your outdoor furniture like new, all it just takes some touching up, fresh mesh or vinyl straps, and a few extra steps to make sure your restored furniture lives its longest life.
Make the Deck New Again
It's hard to get in the vacation spirit when your deck looks more like a dried out splinter trap than a welcoming hangout. Not to mention the unsightly mold and mildew that accumulated over the fall and winter months. To prepare for the season and enjoy being outside again, make sure you thoroughly wash and bleach your deck first, then wait a few days and apply new stain and sealer.
Source: This Old House
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