Escaping to paradise doesn’t necessarily have to mean blowing all your savings on a flight to Bali. If you aren’t able to take off on that epic family vacation this summer, a staycation can be a fun alternative to still get those feel-good vibes. Staycations are a fun way to enjoy some needed time off while staying easy on your budget. While it may not be your ideal choice compared to a sandy beach in the Caribbean, with a little elbow grease, you can give your backyard almost the same feel.
We’ve compiled a list of six innovative ideas for how you can transform your backyard into your own slice of paradise. Whoever said staycations were boring, obviously never got a hold of this list!
1. Add a Swimming Pool
Nothing says vacation like a little sun and cool water to jump in. Adding a pool to your backyard instantly boosts the staycation vibes. Backyard swimming pools can be as luxurious as an inground setup equipped with a rock waterfall, slides, and a jacuzzi or as simple as an inflatable pool that you can quickly set up and take down yourself every summer season.
Who says you need to fly to the beach to get that golden bronzed look. Grab a pool floaty, blend yourself a Piña Colada, and spend the day lounging in the sun. It is almost like an all-inclusive beach resort but without all that troublesome sand!
2. Dine al fresco
Whether it’s a backyard BBQ or feast fit for a luau, dining outside on a cool summer night instantly brings the breezy island vibes to your backyard. If you don’t have an outdoor dining table, now is the time to get one! Dining outside can range from fun family dinners to romantic candlelight evenings. For an even greater Hawaiian beachy feel, add a couple of glowing tiki torches to light up the evening.
3. Create a Zen Garden
Who even needs a yoga retreat in Bali when you can set up a space of peace and tranquility in your very own backyard. Zen garden installations can be as simple or complex as you would like. If you want to go big, designate a section of your backyard for the garden, plant some rounded bushes, and fill in the area with either rocks or sand. You can also choose to add in a pond or flowing fountain to add to the effect. For a more simple, budget-friendly route, simply purchase a small fountain that you can find at your local hardware store.
Grab a yoga mat and create your very own yoga retreat in your little Zen paradise. Bonus points if you can convince your kids to also take a vow of silence for the day!
4. Build a Fire Pit
You don’t have to be up high in the Swiss Alps to achieve that brisk alpine feeling. Fall or winter are perfect times to set up your own little cozy outdoor nook. Find a steel fire pit at your local hardware store or install a more permanent beautiful brick option if you want to go big. Then cozy up to a nice outdoor fire complete with hot cocoa and blankets to keep your legs warm.
For those who were hoping more for an adventure out into the wilderness with a week of camping, just grab some marshmallows, graham crackers, and chocolate and use that fire pit to cook up some S’mores. You can even set up your tent out in the backyard for a peaceful night’s sleep under the stars. The best part of this camping vacation is that if an unexpected rainstorm hits, a warm shelter is less than ten feet away!
5. Install a Hot Tub
If your idea of paradise is a steaming hot, bubbling jacuzzi, it sounds like it’s time to add a hot tub to your backyard. Not only are hot tubs a great way to relax and unwind after a long day of vacationing but they are also great for easing tired and sore muscles. Similar to a swimming pool, installing a hot tub can be as pricey as you want to make it. For a budget-friendly choice, there are many inflatable tub options with only limited technical support needed at the very beginning. If you’re looking for a more permanent option, you can install a jacuzzi that can fit from one to as many as 12 people depending on how much you want to share.
Adding a hot tub to your backyard gives you the feeling of your own little secluded, hot springs getaway. That way you can spend your staycation just sitting back and letting your stress evaporate away.
6. Set Up a Hammock
Swing away to a gentle breeze in your very own hammock. Depending on the amount of forested area in your backyard, you can either tie one up between two trees or find a hammock that stands on its own. Lay back and read that book you’ve been dying to start or just take a little snooze in the sun.
Close your eyes and you can almost imagine the sound of waves hitting the beach. Sweet talk your spouse or kids into bringing you a cold glass of lemonade or a Margarita (when it’s vacation it’s 5 o’clock everywhere) and you’ll forget you never even left home
Honestly, vacations can sometimes be more stressful than enjoyable. Between flights, bookings, sunburns, and all the hectic travel in between, you may find yourself coming back needing a second vacation just to relax.
When you’re thinking about just staying home for the holiday, a staycation doesn’t have to be boring. Add some of these fun touches to your home to make your backyard feel more like a beachy paradise, a tranquil zen retreat, or even a wintery Alpine escape. Who knows, it may just become your favorite vacation destination yet!