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Get a Jump on Summer Prep for Home and Garden
Pick from these 16 things to do now — from hanging a hammock to bug-proofing screens — to maximize summer's sweetness
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/), my blog devoted to all of the things that make a house a home - decorating from the heart, living with intention, and savoring life's simple pleasures.
Houzz Contributor. You can also find me on Lolalina (http://www.lolalina.com/),... More »
Summer vacations (and staycations) are wonderful, to be sure, but a really incredible thing happens when you build mini escapes into your daily life throughout the season. From weekend lawn games and beach days to after-work dinners on the grill and hammock lounging, savoring each day of summer makes this sweet time seem to last a bit longer.
Read on for more timely tips on prepping your home and garden now so you can enjoy a safe and relaxing summer.
Read on for more timely tips on prepping your home and garden now so you can enjoy a safe and relaxing summer.
by Joel Snayd
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Set up a washing station near the back door. Stop sand and dirt from being tracked indoors by staging a foot rinse near the door. Of course, in an ideal world we would all have outdoor showers (and live steps from the beach) but a stool placed beside a spigot, or even a watering can and a wooden doormat can do the trick.
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| Check and repair screens. Take preventative measures before the bugs start to attack, and you can relax bite free all summer long. |
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Strip carpeting from high-traffic areas. If you've been thinking of removing that ratty old carpeting from your back staircase or entryway, seize your moment. Carpeting traps sand and muck like nothing else, and you will enjoy the coolness of bare floors in summer.
Style note: If you're looking for a creative idea for your newly bare stairs, try painting them white with a stripe down the middle (natural wood or a color), then stencil numbers on the risers for a fresh, nautical-inspired look.
Style note: If you're looking for a creative idea for your newly bare stairs, try painting them white with a stripe down the middle (natural wood or a color), then stencil numbers on the risers for a fresh, nautical-inspired look.
by Joel Snayd
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Whiten your whites. Few things say "summer" quite like crisp white curtains fluttering in the breeze. If your whites are looking a little dingy (as is often the case after being boxed up for months) now is a great time to freshen them up. Bleach does the trick, of course, though I've also heard that hanging whites in the sunshine does an even better job.
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| Plant culinary herbs within arm's reach. The bountiful produce of summer begs to be paired with fresh herbs. Make it easy on yourself (and save a few bucks — fresh herbs are expensive) by filling your kitchen window with pots of your favorites. |
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| Use baskets to organize the easy way. Baskets are the favorite organizing tool of most decorators I have spoken to, and with good reason. Put just about anything in a good-looking basket, and suddenly it's not a mess — it's a style statement. Fill one basket with beach supplies and another with picnic gear, and place both by the front door. That way, when the mood strikes to take a day trip, all you have to do is grab a basket and go. Product pick: I love these capacious baskets from Privet House for Target. They are totally classic looking and a bargain to boot. |
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Get an aloe plant to ease burns. Nothing compares to the soothing power of a real aloe plant on sunburns. If you have never tried it, you will be amazed. Simply cut a small piece from the plant and slice it open, then place the gooey inside of the leaf directly on the affected area for instant relief.
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| Clean the grill. If your barbecue has been gathering dust since last year, now is the time to pull it out and give it a good scrubbing. Wash the outside with mild soap and water, and scrub the grates with a grill brush. If there is really stubborn grime on the grate, try lighting the grill and scrubbing the grate again once it's hot. And remember to use hot pads! |
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Restock your first aid kit, and put one outside. With barbecue burns, splinters, scrapes on bare feet and thorns and prickles in the garden, summer is often filled with minor mishaps. Be prepared with a well-stocked first aid kit, both indoors and out.
Product pick: This classic enameled first aid box looks so chic, you won't mind leaving it in plain sight. Fill with your own supplies.
Product pick: This classic enameled first aid box looks so chic, you won't mind leaving it in plain sight. Fill with your own supplies.
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| Refresh your outdoor dining set. Any outdoor kitchen worth its salt should come fully stocked with cute dinnerware. Of course, you can always carry the real dishes outside, but sometimes it's nice not to have to worry about breaking things. Product pick: The new Privet House collection for Target has a lot to offer for the outdoor kitchen, including the unbreakable tableware shown here, available in a range of cheerful preppy prints. |
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| Check fences for gaps and holes. If you have pets that need corralling, now is a good time to do a perimeter sweep and check for places you might need to repair. If you have dogs, pay special attention to areas where they like to dig. |
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| Hang a hammock. Can you think of anything else that looks quite so relaxing? String one up now and it will serve as a visual reminder to pause and savor the moment. |
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Pull out the old lawn games and check for missing pieces. Dig out the boccie balls, croquet set and outdoor sports paraphernalia from the basement and give it a once-over. When you're sure the sets are complete, find an accessible spot to store them for the rest of the season. A large metal hamper or storage bin near the back door is ideal.
| Hang up a classic tree swing — even if you don't have kids. There is something so cheering about sitting on a swing hung from a great big tree. If you are lucky enough to have a big tree in your yard, take advantage of it, and I think you will find it becomes a favored spot, whether there are kiddos around or not. |
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Consider putting in outdoor outlets and hang a strand or two of lights. Twinkling lights are a lovely way to add ambiance to outdoor seating areas. If you love this look, but lack the exterior outlets that make it easy, consider making this the year you spring for an electrician's visit.
Product pick: I love the old-fashioned glow of these globe-style string lights. Try combining a few strands and crisscrossing them over an outdoor dining table.
Product pick: I love the old-fashioned glow of these globe-style string lights. Try combining a few strands and crisscrossing them over an outdoor dining table.
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| Add a water feature. The sound of burbling water is very soothing and has the added benefit of muffling unwanted noise from neighbors or a busy street. Custom water features like the one shown here are stunning, though there are plenty of other more budget-friendly options if you look around. For starters, Sunset magazine has instructions for a simple DIY fountain using a basic glazed pot. Tell us: What is your favorite way to welcome summer? |
Comments
Sharon That first photo shows a water spigot and shower on that porch. Be careful of that water up against the house. I noticed a crack up against the wall and that water will find it and you could have rot.
12 months ago · Like
clinnyc Are outdoor string lights different from the conventional Christmas tree lights that we use indoors? Do they have to be made especially for hanging outside? Would it be dangerous if it got wet from the rain?
12 months ago · Like
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Ideabook updated on June 6, 2012.
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