16 Staycation Ideas: How to Create the Ultimate SummerVacation at Home

Summertime brings warmer weather, longer days, and dreams of vacations to beaches or new cities. But what happens when your vacation gets canceled, you’re budgeting to afford a new house, or travel just isn’t possible because we still need to stay at home? The answer is simple enjoy a vacation at home. Whether it's creating a spa in your bathroom or turning your dining space into a restaurant, here are some simple and fun staycation ideas you can use to transform your home into the ultimate summer vacation.

Spruce up your backyard

Whether you live in a condo in Dallas and just have a small patio, or you live in Phoenix with a large backyard and a pool, there’s a handful of simple updates you can do to give your backyard a resort-like feel.

1. Freshen up your garden with new plants

Make your backyard feel more like a paradise by planting some new flowers or greenery. Whether that’s adding in-season plants or experimenting with a new flower, like gardenias, they’ll add a paradise-like feel and give new life to your backyard. If you don’t have a green thumb, contact your local landscaping company to turn your garden into a tropical paradise.

2. Give your outdoor furniture an upgrade

Whether that’s re-paneling your Adirondack chairs or purchasing some new outdoor cushions for your pool lounges, changing up your outdoor furniture can make all the difference. If you’ve been meaning to invest in a new patio table or a cozy hammock chair, what better time than before your staycation?

3. Brighten up your backyard with lights

By adding some new lights to your backyard or patio, it’ll upgrade your staycation evenings as the sun sets. The options are endless, from simple LED tiki torches to having a professional install a custom lighting landscape. Adding lights will bring that magical vacation feel to your backyard and keep your staycation going throughout the summer.

4. Set up an outdoor audio system

Whether you’re planning on dining in your backyard or setting up a movie night, you’ll want to add speakers or a sound system to your outdoor space. Think about investing in an audio setup that works throughout your home as well as outdoors, making it useful throughout the year. This simple upgrade will help transform your backyard into the ultimate staycation set-up.

Recreate a spa in your bathroom

One of the most popular staycation ideas is transforming your bathroom into a spa. Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice relaxation during your staycation. With a few simple changes, you can easily recreate a tranquil retreat in your bathroom or en suite.

5. Clear out any visible counter clutter

Make sure to tidy up your bathroom and clear off any clutter on the countertops. Now’s a great time to throw out any old products you haven’t used in a while and make your space as clean as possible.

6. Light candles and set up oil diffusers

Whether you have extra candles lying around in a cabinet or prefer to use essential oils, now’s the time to bring them out. Scents of lav