Inexpensive Summer Projects: Part 1
In the first part of this series we looked at some practical summer projects/chores, things like cleaning, painting and pest control. Those tasks are not the most enjoyable things to do around your home but at some point they need to be done.
We continue our look at summer home projects by getting into some fun stuff. If the first article was the green beans, this one is the dessert (assuming you prefer dessert over green beans).
Make An Herb Planter
Find an old kids wagon, preferably the metal kind (not plastic) and convert it into an herb planter. You can paint it if necessary, fill it with soil and create a lovely looking herb garden that can be moved to different areas of your yard, depending on the season and your whims.
Grow Fruits And Vegetables (anywhere)
In the same vein as the previous idea, plant food…anywhere it will grow. You don’t need to confine yourself to non-edible flowers and bushes in your yard, and you don’t need to have a garden plot. Plant some lettuce, cucumber, beans, tomatoes or whatever else grows well in your area. Don’t forget to be mindful of local critters that may want to partake of your homegrown food!
Create A BBQ Station
Even if you don’t want to (or feel confident to) build a permanent structure (bricks, concrete, etc) around your BBQ, you can still build or gather components to surround your BBQ and make it more like a mini-outdoor kitchen. You can find a couple of weather resistant wood or metal tables with storage underneath or if you are handy to build using wood, you can create some workspace and storage which will greatly enhance your summer BBQ workflow.
Outdoor Lighting
Adding some inexpensive lighting can make a dramatic impact along walkways and patios in particular. Simply stringing some outdoor lights around your deck can give your outdoor eating area a restaurant-like ambience. Adding some new lighting around your garage doors is also a wonderful update.
Create a Dreamboard or Dreamspace
Do you dream of owning a condo in Hawaii or do you wake up in the morning wishing you were sailing on the high seas? Why not create a space that inspires you to take action towards bringing this dream to reality?
Replace a Indoor Lighting Fixtures
Changing out some dated, boring lighting fixtures will make a space pop. Think outside the box a little. You are not limited to buying a new fixture from your local hardware store. Go to garage sales, flea markets and antique stores to find a vintage fixture that may be a great complement or contrast within your current decor.
Create Your Own Decor Accents
Beyond just lighting fixtures, you can create very creative accents such as frames, mirrors and candle holders for spaces both inside and outside. Re-purpose old items and renew them with paint. Even items such as rope, wood scraps, and old glass and metal items can be transformed into new decor accents.
Build Outdoor Furniture And Accessories
Let your creativity expand by visualizing old or rustic items transformed into something new. An old wooden barrel can be a table. Bricks and concrete blocks can turn into seating areas. Slices of branches and logs can be made into candle holders or food serving platters.
Have some fun being creative around your home this summer!
