7 backyard improvement ideas for a wonderful summer

Summer is the season when we just have to spend more time outside. And while going on a vacation to swim in the ocean, explore the places you’ve never been to or revisit your favorite locations is the best way to spend these glorious days, you may still enjoy the summer warmth and sunshine in your own backyard. You just need to step up your game and transform your backyard to make it more suitable for outdoor activities. These are only a couple of things you may do to turn your garden into a proper summer entertainment center.

1. Create your own outdoor cinema

If you have a projector and a thick white sheet, you may recreate that romantic park film festival in your own backyard. Just find a good tree branch to hand the sheet and set up the relaxation zone with the help of couch pillows, hammocks, inflatable mattresses or just comfy blankets. The cinema is ready to go. Wait till the darkness comes, invite your friends and family members over, grab some snacks, prepare refreshing cocktails, choose a movie and enjoy a special summer night.

2. Build a simple tree house

You may have to do some research and find necessary materials, but the project shouldn’t be complicated at all. Just build a wooden deck on a tree, attach supports to hang fabric for a teepee, bring a couple of pillows and blankets up and you’re done. Your kids will love spending their time up in a tree house, and you will secretly enjoy it as well. If a proper tree house has always been your dream, make it come true this summer. Hire a carpenter to build a long-lasting tree house that looks like a real home from the inside and the outside.

4. Make your own outdoor furniture

Repurpose wooden storage pallets and turn them into amazing DIY outdoor couches, tables and benches. Choose pallets that are in a good condition, attach them in the desired shape, pull out your old mattresses and pillows to arrange a comfy sitting and you porch bed/couch is ready. If you’re worried about the insects, hang an outdoor curtain above it. Now, you can be lazy the whole summer, but still catch that vitamin D and fresh air.

3. Add a fire pit

Imagine your perfect summer night. If that image doesn’t feature a tropical beach, it certainly has a fire pit somewhere in there. If you don’t have a fire pit in your backyard yet, gather a bunch of stones, get a stainless steel base and create a fire pit sitting area – s’mores making and good evening mood producing factory. If you manage to find used materials, it won’t cost you more than $25. A more structural outdoor fire pit/ fireplace that will add value to your backyard and will last for decades should be built by a professional masonry contractor, though. Obviously, the cost of the project will be higher.

5. Set up a jungle gym for your kids

Create a place in your backyard, where kids can burn their energy and spend wonderful time outdoors - a jungle gym. Again, it doesn’t have to be expensive at all: just upcycle a couple of old tires and wooden bars, make some magic with a sturdy rope and let your kids express the monkey side of their personality.

6. Make a pool cooler for drinks

Spend most of your summers chilling in a pool? Make your favorite drinks stay cool and within the arms reach with this awesome hack: grab a plastic container, cut a pool noodle into 4 pieces of the necessary length, thread a rope through the pool noodle pieces, tie them around the container, attach noodle pieces to the sides of the container with glue (optional) and fill it up with ice. Your best and least expensive pool float for drinks is ready!

7. Make a cute herb planter

If you’re into growing your own herbs and vegetables in summer, this amazing planter will not only be a practical outdoor solution that will keep your herbs safe from crazy pets and kids, but also add to your curb appeal. In order to make one planter, find an old window frame and paint it the color you want. Spray paint metal buckets if you desire as well.

Then, you need to find the best way to mount that planter to your house wall, fence or shed. Plant hooks and wall anchors are probably the safest options. Once the frame is attached to the anchors, you may drill holes for cup hooks in the center of each opening and screw those hooks in. Attach the frame to the wall or any other vertical surface of your choice and hang the buckets onto the hooks. Don’t plant your herbs directly into the buckets, though. Find plastic planters that fit inside your buckets. Plant your herbs in those containers and slip them into the buckets. This way, you’ll ensure better drainage and prevent water from dripping out of the buckets onto your wooden deck.

Helen Sheplyakova, a passionate blogger writing about social issues, home improvement, lifestyle and sharing her inspirations with people.