We’re pleased to debut our new series, The Craft of Real Estate, inspired by the same passion and dedication that has made Better Homes & Gardens® magazine a household name for more than 100 years. This campaign showcases how our love for the beauty of homes and our expertise in real estate come together to offer unparalleled insights and services. From the value of curb appeal to the impact of fresh paint, we provide the knowledge and tools to help you achieve your real estate dreams.
Whether you’re selling your home and want to welcome buyers to view it or are entertaining guests for the holidays, turning your exterior and interior into a winter wonderland can create the perfect atmosphere.
From lighting and landscaping to indoor decor and seasonal scents, there are many ways to bring the warmth and merriment of the season to those who visit you.
Here are some tips for cozying and brightening your home for a winter open house.
Lighting
Set the stage for a winter wonderland by stringing lights throughout your outdoors, in trees, on shrubs, along walkways, and on stair and porch railings. All-white light displays create an enchanting setting for wonder, but colored lights also delight guests, especially when set against a snowy backdrop. Inside, drape lights around doorways and on stairways, and add battery-operated string lights to bowls to create eye-catching table centerpieces. Decorative seasonal lights adorned outside and in help a home exude warmth and personality. Want to really turn on the wow factor? Consider adding a dramatic curtain of white lights along a wall or fence.
Landscaping
Dress trees with sparkling decorations, erect a Nativity set on your lawn, and strategically place snowmen throughout your property to turn your landscape into a winter wonderland. Dazzle guests with a giant snow globe, little lanterns, and cozy places to sit and take in the sights in your yard.
Entry
You’ll want open house guests to feel the fun and festiveness of the season well before they enter your home, so pay special attention to decorating your entry. Envelop your front steps, deck, and door with all things winter like bows, boughs of holly, wreaths, and pine cones. Place a winter-themed doormat on your porch and jingle bells on the front door knobs. Set up a welcome station right before guests enter with shoe booties, candy canes, and hot chocolate.
Winter Fragrance
A great seasonal fragrance can quickly transform a home’s interior into a winter wonderland. Reach for candles, incense, wax melts, and diffusers scented with cinnamon and other warm spices, yummy gingerbread, or pretty pine. Ensure every room in your home, even the bathroom, is bathed in the season’s scents.
Fireplaces
A warm and cozy fireplace can set the scene for a winter wonderland, perhaps more than anything else. So, decorate your mantel, light a fire, and draw open-house guests into the season’s magic. Don’t have a fireplace? Find a video of a fireplace, complete with crackling fire sounds, and play it on your TV.
Indoor Plants
Adding colorful seasonal plants to your indoors can instantly turn it into a festive gathering place. Go with striking candy cane amaryllis, paperwhites, poinsettias, and cyclamen. Or, opt for gorgeous greens like Norfolk Island pine, ivy, mistletoe, and juniper. Christmas cactus and tabletop firs are also popular plants in a winter wonderland design scheme. Of course, you can always leave your Christmas tree up throughout the winter season.
*Note – Many house plants may be toxic to your pets, so check with your veterinarian before bringing any of these holiday favorites indoors.
Tablescapes
Set the perfect dining table as winter wonderland eye candy or to welcome guests for a holiday meal. Lay out beautiful dinnerware, glassware, and napkins. Create an inviting mood with candles and floral centerpieces. Add winter trinkets like little glass trees or real evergreen pieces as decor. Think about introducing color and texture with tablecloths, place mats, table runners, and chair coverings.
Layers
Visually and literally warm up your home for winter guests by adding layers. Think of layering in terms of textiles and lighting, and create cozy spaces using combinations of blankets, rugs, pillows, curtains, towels, light fixtures, and lighted accessories. Wood also suggests warmth, so play around with ways to bring the outdoors into your wonderland setting.
Winter Details
Wrap up all the details of your winter wonderland open house by adding thoughtful touches throughout your home like seasonal soap dishes and hand soaps, festive window decals, hanging snowflakes, and wintry coasters and knickknacks. Place holiday-themed hardcover books on coffee tables and leave candy dishes filled with tasty treats in every room. Make a miniature Christmas village a side table focal point and set out a craft table for kids.
There are many ways to embrace the season and create a warm winter wonderland setting for guests. Use your imagination to come up with whimsical, joyful, and meaningful decorations and activities that produce memories people will cherish for years.
Are you looking to sell or buy a home this winter? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® help.
Choosing a moving company can be a challenge. It’s often difficult to know what you need and the questions to ask—and how to avoid falling victim to the schemes moving companies sometimes perpetrate on unsuspecting customers.
There are a myriad of charges that come with moving a household—fees for supplies, labor, transportation, and other related items and activities. Many moving companies have unusual policies (like charging double travel time) that can be confusing or not adequately disclosed. So, how do you navigate all of this without losing precious time, money, or sanity? What’s the best way to understand exactly what your move requires and the services a moving company offers, and then choose a mover that best meets those needs?
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) says that most moving company complaints stem from consumers being upset that the mover damaged items, arrived late, billed for unworked hours, or didn’t honor estimates (bait and switch).
Your goal is to find a moving company that’s transparent in its offerings, does what it says it’ll do, and charges correctly when the job is done. If you can locate a company that does all of this—and hopefully goes above and beyond—you’ll find that gem that every homeowner hopes for.
Moving is stressful. You don’t need to add more to your already-loaded plate by getting wrapped up with companies that provide unwanted problems instead of trustworthy service.
Before you hire your next mover, take the time to read this guide on how to choose a moving company. Review the things you should look for in a mover. Go through our tips on choosing a reliable moving company and familiarize yourself with common scams to avoid.
Get Referrals
Ask friends, family, and neighbors who they’ve used to move their belongings. If you’re working with a real estate agent, get referrals for moving companies with an outstanding track record.
Ask for Quotes
Get quotes from at least three movers. Ask them if they charge by the hour or a flat rate (if a flat rate, how many hours of service do you get and what do they charge for overtime?)—and inquire about how many movers the company will assign to your job. Is there a fee for miles, gas, or travel time? What supplies does the mover provide (are there any mandatory charges for blankets, bubble wrap, moving dollies, etc.)? Do they need to see your belongings before giving a guaranteed quote? There are other price-based questions you can ask, depending on your specific scenario, but this should get you moving in the right direction.
Look for Red Flags
Most moving companies won’t charge a deposit before moving your items, so avoid those that do. A mover shouldn’t be anxious to get money from you. Movers who are vague and don’t want to answer questions should raise a huge red flag. Note the professionalism of all company representatives you talk to. Ask movers if they own or rent their van or truck (a reliable moving company will own a van or truck).
Ensure the Mover is Licensed and Insured
All licensed interstate moving companies must have a U.S. Dot number issued by The United States Department of Transportation Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If you’re moving out of state, you can verify the company’s license through the FMCSA’s website. You can also view the company’s DOT number on the FMCSA website. Are you moving within the state? Investigate any company you’re considering by looking up its business profile through your state’s local consumer affairs agency.
Check the Better Business Bureau
Research all potential moving companies by reviewing their BBB ratings and any complaints against the providers (don’t consider any companies that don’t have a BBB profile or rating). Ideally, the company you choose should have BBB accreditation.
Inquire About Trade Association Accreditation
Go to the moving company’s website and look for an approved seal or logo that distinguishes the mover as part of a related industry trade association or organization. Good movers will probably have the American Moving and Storage Association’s ProMover logo on their website or marketing materials. You can also look up moving companies on the American Moving and Storage Association’s website to see if they’re members in good standing.
Verify the Company’s Address
The moving company you choose should have a brick-and-mortar location and the mover’s address should be listed as business—either in search engine listings or moving company directories. Don’t consider any mover with an address that points to a residential property.
More Tips for Choosing a Reliable Moving Company
Don’t stop your investigation after moving through the guidelines above. Before signing a moving contract, do the following:
Ask if the company will take an inventory of all your items
Get a written estimate
Avoid companies that recently changed their business name
Inquire about extra fees for moving to or from properties with stairs or elevators
Ensure there are no blank spaces on your moving contract
Be wary of guaranteed quotes unless you get them in writing
Ask about moving insurance
How to Avoid Moving Scams
The most common moving scams that you should be aware of include:
Bait and switch—when a moving company switches the time or day of your move at the last minute and the move ends up costing you more
Late pickup or delivery—the mover arrives late, pushing you into a more expensive time slot (or they don’t deliver your items on time, sometimes taking longer than expected to get to your new location so they can charge you more)
Exorbitant delivery charges and hold hostage—movers occasionally add additional costs to your total and won’t give you your items until you pay all the fees (or fight them)
Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through the process.
Do you love plants having houseplants but forget to water them? If you’re like us, your perfect home would be filled with greenery—lush hanging potted plants and counter and tabletop plants everywhere. But again like us, your forgetfulness probably gets in the way of your plant-filled dream. And, your busyness.
Amazingly, though, some houseplants can survive weeks without water. That means, you can have the green and lush home you want without having to constantly replace dead plants or worry you’re going to kill them. All plants indeed need water and most require it regularly. But, many species thrive on minimal watering and several can live up to a month without a drink.
Here are some gems of houseplants to consider if you’re away from home often, too frenzied to deal with regular plant watering, or just plain prone to forgetfulness.
Also known as Ficus elastica, the rubber plant is a fast-growing houseplant that does best in low- to medium-water conditions, meaning you only have to water it moderately every 15 days or so. During fall and winter, rubber plants requires even less water—a good dousing every month or so. Rubber plant loves bright filtered sunlight and can grow up to 10 feet tall indoors, in the right conditions.
Spider plant needs a bit of attention (regular watering) in its initial growing phase, but if you can get past that, you’ll be good to go with a beautiful plant you only need to water now and then. When fully grown, water your spider plant every seven to 10 days during spring and summer. In wet and humid conditions or cold weather, you can get away with watering it every 20 to 30 days.
Snake plant is perfect for the forgetful gardener. In most indoor conditions, you only need to water it every 10 to 20 days (depending on where you place the plant). During winter and in wet weather, you can ignore it even longer. This gorgeous and hearty houseplant has striking dark-green sword-like leaves, sometimes with cream, silver, or white variegation. It thrives in low to bright light and grows up to four feet tall.
Leave a ZZ plant without water for a month and it’ll be as vibrant as ever when you pay attention to it again, as long as you place it in indirect sunlight. This easy-to-care-for houseplant loves a good soaking and then prefers to be left alone for a few weeks. Too much water causes rhizome rot, which can kill the plant. This slow grower has a stunning leathery look and can get up to three feet tall and wide.
Cast iron plant is another houseplant that only needs occasional watering. It actually does best in low water conditions, so saturate it and then don’t touch it again until the top level of soil dries out. If cared for properly (which we trust you will), this lively plant will grace your home with beautiful dark green foliage that grows up to two feet tall.
Succulents and cacti thrive in the desert, so they’re going to love receiving minimal water in your home. They’re tough and do extremely well in dry soil. You’ll only need to water them every month or so because they retain water in their leaves. Just make sure your succulents and cacti get plenty of sunlight and place them in a pot with drainage holes.
Zebra haworthia, also called zebra cactus or zebra plant, is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. It stores water, so it can thrive for days in dry soil (you’ll only need to water it when the top layer of soil looks dry). Zebra cactus also loves bright, indirect sunlight. It stays small—less than a foot tall and wide—and is an attractive plant that goes well with modern decor.
The sago palm is a popular slow-growing plant that gives a space a tropical look. It loves dry soil, and once it establishes its root system, you only need to water it every two to three weeks. Sago palms have striking leathery dark-green fronds that can grow up to three feet long and the plant can get up to five feet tall.
The aloe plant also carries water in its leaves, so it can thrive for up to four weeks without watering (if you place your aloe in the sun, you may have to water it a little more frequently). This beauty that has spiky, toothed leaves is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. A healthy and happy aloe plant can reach up to three feet in height.
Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through the process.
If you’re thinking about building an ADU, don’t commit your time, energy, and money until you think carefully about all that the project entails. ADUs (accessory dwelling units) can be a great solution for adding more square footage to your living space and providing family members or friends with a private living space. But they come with rules, regulations, and sometimes drawbacks that you might not have considered.
So, while dreaming about and planning an ADU can be exciting, take as much time as you need to consider all the pros and cons so you don’t regret your decision later. Here are 10 things to know before building an ADU.
1. An ADU Can Offer the Same Benefits as an Addition
An ADU can offer the same benefits as an addition without disrupting the main flow of your house. For example, if you’ve been considering adding an office, gym, or mother-in-law quarter to your home, think about whether that space would be better suited to a separate structure. Not all properties can easily and aesthetically accommodate an addition.
2. ADUs Must Be Habitable
ADUs can be attached or detached, but they have to be habitable for them to count toward your living area’s square footage. This means the ADU must have a functioning bathroom and kitchen (or kitchenette). It also must have utilities, which you can run separately to the unit or through the main home.
3. An ADU Could Be a Good Investment
An accessory dwelling unit could be a good investment, providing you with a source of rental income, especially if you live in an area with an increased housing shortage. It can also boost property value, adding to the total livable square footage of the home—possibly a wise move if you plan to sell in the future.
4. ADUs Can Provide Privacy and Comfort
If you often host guests or extended family, consider adding an ADU. It can provide them more comfort and privacy than sleeping on your sofa or in a spare room. Additionally, college kids who have come home for a break or after finishing school may also appreciate an ADU as a starter space to call their own.
5. An ADU Used as a Rental Can Decrease Privacy
If you plan to rent your ADU, consider that you may have more foot traffic in your front and back yards, which is a definite drawback if you value your privacy. Even though accessory units have separate entrances, you’ll have someone sharing your property, so you might have to put up blinds or other window coverings to keep people from looking in.
6. An ADU Can Be a Solution to Housing Shortages
Building an ADU can be a great solution for your adult child struggling to find affordable housing. Older low- and moderate-income earners in your community might also be priced out of the rental and purchase market. Therefore, adding an accessory unit helps you be a solution to those in need. Additionally, if you’ve wanted to buy a bigger home but can’t afford rising real estate prices, you might want to consider staying where you are and expanding rather than moving.
7. Poor Layout and Design Can End Up Decreasing Your Property Value
If you’ve already decided to build an ADU, ensure its layout and design fit in with your main home. Otherwise, you could decrease your property value. An accessory unit’s size or architecture shouldn’t look awkward in its space. With the proper planning, design, and construction team, you can make an ADU a beautiful and seamless part of your property.
8. You’ll Need to Follow Regulations to Build
Every area has building regulations, even rural communities. So, make sure you know the laws surrounding ADUs in your city. Also, consider that HOA-restricted neighborhoods have even more building codes and rules. Remember, too, that you’ll need to apply for a permit regardless of where you build your ADU.
9. You May Have to Provide Parking for Your ADU
Different areas have varying regulations regarding residences and parking. Some municipalities consider proximity to public transportation or car shares when making parking rules. Others don’t require parking spaces on specific properties like those in architecturally significant communities. If you have to provide parking for your ADU, the rule may be one space per bedroom (as it often is in many cities). If you turn that space into an ADU, your city may not require you to replace parking spaces in a garage. Check with your city to see if you’ll need to provide parking for your accessory unit.
10. Prefabricated ADUs Might Offer a Faster Turnaround and Less On-Site Construction
Pre-fabricated dwelling units are manufactured off-site, usually in standard sections, and quickly assembled and shipped. Up to 90% of the ADU might be completed away from your property, with just the utilities, plumbing, and foundation work to deal with on-site. Pre-fact ADUs make sense on flat lots and lots where equipment like tractors and cranes can easily get in. If you go with a modular unit, consider that all on-site prep work and off-site construction are done simultaneously, completing the project much faster than a standard stick-built unit.
Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through the process.
Get ready for warmer weather and all the fun that goes with it by giving your home a good spring cleaning. Sprucing up your interior and exterior puts you on the right path for summer relaxation (who wants to tend to costly repairs when you could be enjoying yourself on vacation?) and entertaining family and friends (4th of July party, anyone?).
Whether you live in a small condo or sprawling property, you probably have some chores that need tending to now that winter’s over. So, use our spring cleaning guide to ensure you haven’t overlooked any necessary steps to getting your house in good shape for a new season.
Here are some tips you can follow this spring for a fresh start in the coming months.
Clean Dryer Vent
Clean your dryer vent once a year to keep your machine working optimally and reduce the risk of fire. The dryer’s vent differs from its lint trap, which you should clean after each use. The vent is located on the back of the dryer and is a thick, flexible aluminum hose connecting to the wall. To clean the dryer vent, move the dryer away from the wall, disconnect the vent from the machine and the wall, remove any lint inside the vent hose, and use a vacuum to clean the holes that connect to the hose.
Drain Water Heater
Water heaters are often tucked away, so they’re easy to overlook. But, if you give this appliance a little attention during springtime, it’ll extend the heater’s life. Draining your water heater reduces sediment that can accumulate due to minerals in the water. When you drain your heater and then refill it, you can minimize the time it takes for your water to get hot. Draining also protects against breakdowns. But, before you perform this important spring-cleaning task, let your water cool completely and disconnect any energy source.
Clean Gutters
Giving your gutters a good cleaning is essential during wintertime when built-up debris can cause a dam that makes rain, snow, and ice pool, threatening your home’s structural integrity. So, if you didn’t perform this critical chore last winter, attend to it this spring. In addition to cleaning leaves, branches, and dirt from your gutters, point all downspouts away from your home’s foundation.
Deep Clean Bathrooms
Bathrooms are breeding grounds for mold and mildew, so give them a deep clean every spring (and ideally several times a season). Scrub your floors, counters, toilets, and shower walls and glass enclosures. Wipe down the bathroom’s walls, baseboards, windows, and light fixtures. Wash and change shower curtains, and clean shower heads with water and vinegar to break down mineral buildup.
Change Air Filters
Regularly changing your air filters helps keep allergens out of your home. Depending on your air conditioning unit, you may need to change your air filters every six months or even more frequently. But at the least, you should tend to this necessary task every spring. We suggest you switch your filters before seasonal breezes kick in and pollen and other bothersome airborne particles start to spread.
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
If you didn’t test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms during winter, do it now. Change the batteries in all your alarms and then check their functionality using the ‘test’ button. Additionally, look at the alarm’s expiration date (every smoke and carbon monoxide detector has one) and replace it if it expires in the next six months.
Deep Clean Floors and Carpets
Some carpets require professional cleaning every 12-18 months to maintain their warranty, so don’t let this critical milestone slip by. Before you clean your carpets, however, test an area for colorfastness. Then, vacuum, treat individual stains, and use a carpet cleaning machine to do a deep clean. You can freshen up hardwood and other solid-surface flooring with a mop or appropriate cleaning machine.
A good spring cleaning offers the most short and long-term benefits when you go from room to room, inspecting, repairing, and freshening everything in and out of sight. In addition to the tips mentioned above, consider doing a deep clean on the following:
Indoor furniture
Throw rugs
Window treatments
Chandeliers and pendant lights
Kitchen appliances
Kitchen counters and cupboards
Entry door
Deck or patio
Garage
Garden
Are you looking to sell or buy a new home? Let Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® walk you through every step in the process.
Renovations can add value to your home and increase the enjoyment of your dwelling, but the costs for various projects also have the potential to pile up. What do you do when you want to prepare a home for sale or give it a makeover without going into major debt or depleting your savings?
Many homeowners turn to DIY solutions that may take some time and a bit of research but often prove worth it in terms of money saved and happiness gained.
Projects like painting and power washing typically require only a few days to a week of your attention. Others, such as laying tile or resurfacing floors, may demand a lengthier commitment, but with the right attitude, they can produce years of benefit for little cost.
Here are some DIY solutions you might want to take on if your budget is tight but your inspiration lofty.
Interior walls with scratches, scuffs, and outdated colors can use a new coat of paint. Fresh paint will likely make a dramatic difference in the overall look of your home and present it nicely to future buyers.
Depending on your style and interior design goals, you may want to play with color, for instance, painting a statement wall or an entire room in a bold hue. Homeowners who plan to sell in the near future should heed expert advice that says to stick to a neutral shade carried throughout the house.
Painting an exterior might take a little more work, especially if you have a two-story home. But, those not opposed to erecting and climbing ladders and scaffolding may want to dive into this project.
With any painting project, it’s important to properly prep your surfaces, research the different paint types and materials, and test your color on a small section. While involved, this DIY solution is usually a much cheaper option than hiring someone to do the job.
Swapping old outlet covers, switch plates, curtain rods, door knobs, light fixtures, and faucets can be a cheap and easy way to give an outdated home a quick update. Often, homeowners overlook these minor parts of a home until they look so bad they can’t be ignored or it’s time to sell.
Consider that attractive switch plates and outlet covers typically cost less than $5 each. Additionally, you can usually get modern curtain rods and door knobs cheaply. Good quality light fixtures and faucets may run you a couple of hundred dollars or more (especially for luxury versions with touch or sensor technology built in), but consider their impact on your home for a relatively low cost.
And, remember that instead of paying a handyman, electrician, or plumber to install fixtures, you can do it yourself and save money. Some great video tutorials available online walk you through every step of the process. Of course, when working with electricity and plumbing, it’s wise to research ways to keep you and your home safe before you begin.
Shabby curtains, shades, and blinds don’t add value to your home and they may, in fact, decrease it. For just a small cost, you can upgrade your window treatments yourself to lighter, brighter, and more contemporary versions that provide privacy while giving your home an airy and open look.
There are plenty of low-budget options available for beautiful drapes, shutters, and horizontal or vertical blinds. Some of the most impressive window treatments we’ve seen, however, require a bit more of an upfront investment (i.e., smart shades and blinds with voice-activated opening and closing) but are still a cost-effective solution if installed yourself.
It’s possible to bring original or replacement hardwood floors back to their like-new splendor with a little time, elbow grease, and money. Consider that flooring often makes or breaks a room. Imagine, for example, how much more dramatic a dining room or study could be with pristine hardwood to set the mood.
Likewise, pulling up old flooring to reveal hardwood underneath can be worth the effort, especially in a period home. Not sure if you have hardwood underneath your laminate, tile, or carpet? Some homeowners are willing to take the risk of time and money to pull up a small corner of old flooring and potentially reveal a treasure underneath.
Purchasing and installing new cabinets, or even new cabinet doors, is not cost-effective in many markets. Instead, homeowners often trade a little time for a fresh coat of paint to breathe life into a stale kitchen or bathroom.
As on walls, new paint on cabinets and cabinet doors can completely transform a room. Depending on your design and real estate goals, you may want to paint cabinets a neutral shade or go bold with a dark or bright hue, or lather on an ultra-high gloss.
Remember, though, that before you start this DIY project, it’s essential, again, that you research methods for prepping your surface and choosing the right materials.
Are you considering fixing your home and putting it on the market? Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate® can help you when you’re ready.
Summer has arrived, bringing with it the perfect opportunity to take your dreams for home to the next level. We’ve got all the latest trends, expert insights, and fresh ideas to elevate the outdoor areas of your home this summer. Discover tons of great patio, backyard, balcony, and landscape design ideas that will work in various outdoor spaces. And hey, there’s a good chance you’re sitting on some serious home equity… we’ll help you tap into it. Whether you’re thinking of selling or want to create a home that inspires you, let us help you reach what’s next and what’s best for you.
Getting a good night’s sleep is extremely important for your health and wellbeing. It’s essential that you prioritize your sleep to recharge your mind and body, which results in you functioning properly. Obtaining good Z’s also helps improve your concentration, productivity, and performance, plus it enables the body to stave off illness and heart disease. Use these tips to get a good night’s sleep.
Explore new ways to enjoy your outdoor space. Whether you have a graceful front porch, expansive lawn, a rooftop deck, or inviting patio, there are numerous activities for adults, kids, and entire families that can inspire and entertain. From romantic date-nights to creative family-fun days, read on as we reveal some of our favorite outside activities.
Warm nights call for entertainment under the stars. Whether you want a romantic evening as a couple or are hoping for family fun, setting up a backyard movie night takes relatively little work and yields many happy memories. You can order a formal movie screen, or go the DIY route using some cut bamboo poles and older bed sheets. But you can just as easily use one of the outside walls of your home or rooftop deck, white fencing, or your garage door. The surface needs to be relatively flat and solid, without windows or breaks to distort the picture. Move your outdoor furniture into position or put down sleeping bags and big pillows for some comfortable seating for you and your family. From there, as our editors at Better Homes & Gardens reveal, it’s showtime as soon as you start “[streaming] a movie from [your] laptop or office-standard projector.” And, of course, don’t forget the snacks!
For adults, paint-and-sip classes have been popular, particularly among groups of friends looking for creative, low-pressure activities. Art and wine lovers have found ways to bring the paint-and-sip party experience into their own home (or their backyards, patios, and porches). If you have the equipment, set up your easel, canvas, and paints in an outside spot that allows for the sun to warm you, but not overwhelm you or dry out your paints. Join your favorite group of artistic friends on Zoom and connect to any of the local artists currently offering virtual art sessions. Don’t forget to keep something chilled by your side. Whether that’s a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a refreshing lemonade is entirely up to you.
For kids, this is an excellent opportunity not only to grab the watercolors and color pencils, but pieces of vibrant chalk. Parents applauds the idea of creating a chalkboard by “[applying] two coats of [chalkboard] paint to a large piece of plywood” and then “[hanging] the finished drawing station at kid height with heavy-duty picture-hanging hardware.” Of course, your home’s front walk and sidewalk are also prime canvases for some serious chalk creativity. You might be surprised at how delighted your neighbors are to see your kids’ vivid chalk creations as they enjoy an evening stroll.
Discover which local restaurants offer tantalizing take-out specials that include everything from family meals to dinners for two with wine pairings or margarita night specialties. There are even exclusive events that allow you to buy expertly prepared cuisine or award-winning vino via take-out or curbside pick-up, followed by a Zoom get-together with the chef or winemaker that crafted it. Imagine sitting in your backyard with your partner as the late summer sun sets, talking with your favorite local chef as you savor every bite. Whether you go big or intimately casual, a picnic on a covered blanket in a space marked off with tea lights or overhead bistro lights will make even an average Tuesday night dinner feel special. You may love the experience so much that date-night picnics in your home’s backyard or patio may become one of your favorite activities.
In much the same way that twilight picnics tempt, a special night under the bistro lights can create a romantic date-night activity. If you have a patio, balcony, or deck, you can easily string bistro lights above it to create a sparkling effect. If you have an open lawn, designate a dance space by using planters or electric candles; string bistro lights from the tree-tops or along a fence-line for some dazzling illumination. If you have portable Bluetooth speakers, all you need to do is press play on your smart-device for your favorite digital playlist. If not, you can also play tunes off of your laptop, which you can discreetly tuck away for safety.
You have a tent, gear, and the desire to be out-of-doors with your family. Get a little creative and enjoy your own backyard. Start by setting up your tent in the backyard, patio, or rooftop deck. The space does not need to be huge; it just needs to accommodate your tent and a small amount of cooking gear or a cooler filled with drinks and snacks. You then prepare for a night of outside fun. The experts at Real Simple suggest: “Bring sleeping bags or blankets, flashlights, and mosquito repellent for everyone. And arm yourself with enough ghost stories to keep little ones up thrillingly past their bedtimes.”
The temperatures are rising. The good news is you might be surprised at how easy it is to create your own home waterpark – all you need is a patch of lawn to get started. Real Simple recommends that you “buy or borrow a kiddie pool, turn on the sprinkler, unravel the hose, and commandeer as many spray bottles, buckets, tubs, and water pistols as possible.” Start with classic games like Cannonball Toss using water balloons before letting your kids fire up their imaginations as they create their own activities while also enjoying some slip-and-slide fun.
Are your kids missing theater camp? Do you have a teenager or college-aged musician in the family who wants a chance to play in public again? Parents raves about the opportunity performers of all ages have in their own backyard or front porch. For young kids, they will love creating an impromptu stage because it inspires imaginative play. For older performers, it gives them a chance to try new material without requiring much additional equipment. For backyard stages, Parents recommends “no-sew theater curtains” using red burlap, curtain rings, and a clothesline that is run around two trees. Similarly, if you have a front porch with descending stairs, you can easily hang up two pieces of red fabric using clothesline across the top landing. And voila! You can part the theater curtains to allow the performer the feeling of a real stage. The kids can perform for family, and if you have an ample enough space to safely social distance, you can create viewing pods out of Hula Hoops for your neighbors.
Obstacle courses and homemade backyard games can be crafted using many of the items you may already have in your home. These activities are fun, and they are challenging enough to help the family stay fit and engaged in something that is not screen-oriented this summer. Start by setting up a tennis ball or bean bag toss by arranging tiers of small baskets or even unused plastic containers in your backyard. If you don’t have bean bags, you can either take sealable plastic bags or old fabric and fill them with rice before sewing the newly formed bags shut. Don’t forget the treats to reward those making the most baskets.
Parents adores the idea of adding a balance challenge to your backyard activities. The Magazine recommends using tree stumps of varying heights that are then “[spaced] … far enough apart so kids have to carefully plot each step as they walk the path.” If you don’t have easy access to tree stumps, but do have spare balance-beam-width wooden planks, Real Simple suggests a balance game called “Walking the Plank.” The rules, according to the Magazine, are simple: “Let kids take turns walking across a long wooden plank. Whoever finishes first without touching the ground wins. (If someone does touch it, yell ‘Shark bait!’)” Hula Hoops, homemade tunnels, lawn furniture, and pool noodles can serve as supplies for additional challenges for your spontaneous obstacle course.
If you are feeling particularly crafty, and have a backyard pool, consider planning a family boat race. Boat bases can be made from cutting into old pool noodles, rinsed plastic containers, or light metal lids, while duct tape, fabric, and string can create the sails. If you want to create racing lanes, Parents has an ingenious idea to get your boat races started. The Magazine explains: “Kids can race homemade boats down … tracks made from large-hole pool noodles cut in half lengthwise.” Let the races begin!
Building special hideaways, whether playhouses, forts, or other uniquely magical abodes, can provide a “getaway” for kids. These structures can be as simple or elaborate as you want to make them. Beach towels draped over lawn furniture can create a quick, make-shift fort, while clotheslines run around trees and draped with patterned sheets, towels, or blankets are among Real Simple’s favorite hideaways.
Parents loves the idea of creating a hanging retreat perfect for family “tea parties, secret club meetings, or games of hide-and-seek.” Large hoops made from pool noodles or extra-large Hula Hoops can be draped with strips of vibrant fabric or vivid sections of crepe paper and hung from a nearby tree. The strips float down to the ground, creating a secret world inside the hoop-covered material. Pergolas can be enclosed with elaborate builds from cardboard boxes covered in glitter designs, markers, fabric, or even leftover wallpaper. Give the kids ample room to be part of the design and building process. You’ll be amazed at how creative they can be!