How to make summer at home feel like a getaway

Easy ways to make the most of your backyard or balcony

With travel costs continuing to rise, summer at home can be an opportunity to do things differently. Instead of seeing it as a compromise, it can be a chance to create a space that feels relaxing, and tailored to how you like to spend your time.

For homeowners with backyards, it can be as simple as building around how you already like to spend time outside. That might mean setting up a comfortable spot for morning coffee, adding a table for outdoor meals, or creating an area where friends can gather on summer evenings. 

Simple additions like a portable pizza oven, rolling bar cart, or even a stock tank plunge pool can make a backyard feel more inviting. A small solar-powered fountain can add ambience. Outdoor movie nights are another easy upgrade using an inexpensive projector and a white sheet as a screen. String lights, outdoor rugs, and oversized floor cushions can help make the area feel comfortable.

For condo owners, balconies can be just as purposeful. A railing bar ledge can create space for outdoor dining. Vertical herb walls, solar lanterns, compact hammock chairs, and self-watering planters can transform a compact space. Outdoor movie nights work just as well with a blank wall doubling as your screen.

The best part is that none of these ideas require a major renovation or large budget. Creating a space that feels restful and enjoyable will make a summer at home feel like its own kind of oasis.For more expert advice on making the most of your space, check out the Royal LePage Blog at blog.royallepage.ca.