Summer is the season where everyone ends out outside whether you’ve planned it or not. If possible, maybe it’s the pool, maybe it’s the garden, or maybe it is simply that you are on the patio enjoying the breeze (while trying to avoid being productive!). Regardless, there is just something about summer evenings and weekends that leads you to just being outside! If you are feeling as though that space could feel a little more intentional and a little less chaotic there are a whole mess of DIYs for you! Nothing too fancy, just little things to make it feel a little more like you want to be there!
1. Patio Table With Cooler
A beautiful wood table with a built-in cooler to store drinks? Yes, please! This beautiful wooden patio table would make for a great weekend project. Click here for the step-by-step.
2. Garden/Tool Shed
Is this not the cutest little garden shed you’ve ever seen? If you don’t have the need or the space for a full-sized shed, you can build one this size to store your gardening essentials. Click here to watch the video tutorial.
3. Palette Organizer
If you’re sick of stumbling over pool accessories and wet towels, make yourself a palette organizer. All you need to do is attach a wooden palette to your deck or fence, then add on whatever hooks you like best.
4. Firewood Rack
If you have a fire pit, chances are you need a spot to store your firewood. You can make your own firewood rack quite easily, and there are tons of different styles to choose from. Click here to find out how to make this one (and more!).
5. Fire Pit
If you’re considering a fire pit, this could be your sign. It doesn’t have to be overly involved or expensive; your fire pit can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, and ideally, safe. Just a simple fire pit in your backyard will allow you to hang out with friends and family around it in the evenings, and roast a maximum of three marshmallows while you are at it. Once you get it going, you will start wondering what took you so long. After all, once you have a fire pit, s’mores are a given.
6. Hammock
There’s just something about a hammock that says summer. Whether you are reading, napping, or just doing literally nothing in the shade, it is kind of the ultimate backyard improvement. And yes, you can make a hammock yourself. A little work is involved but a hammock is very doable, plus there are many different styles to suit whichever look you’re going for.
7. Palette Bike Rack
If you don’t have a garage or shed big enough for bike storage, you can make your own bike rack out of two wooden palettes. This DIY makes parking your bike way more aesthetically pleasing. Click here to see how you can make your own.
8. Glow-In-The-Dark Planters
This project is less about organization and more about fun, but it was just too cool not to share. All you have to do is coat your planters with glow-in-the-dark paint. They’ll charge when exposed to the sun during the day, and they’ll glow beautifully at night.
9. Hose-Hiding Planter
Garden hoses always tend to look messy and unsightly. But not when they’re hidden inside a beautiful wooden planter box! Click here to find out how to make this creative DIY.
10. Storage Bench
How pretty is this wooden bench with hidden storage underneath? This project is the perfect example of style and functionality. Click here for the instructions on how to make this beauty.
11. Vertical Garden Wall
How charming is this DIY garden wall? You could fill it with herbs or simply your favorite potted flowers. Click here for the full tutorial.
12. Mason Jar Citronella Candles
Nothing puts a damper on spending time outdoors like being swarmed by bugs. Thankfully, you can easily make your own citronella candles using mason jars! Click here for the simple tutorial.
13. Outdoor Shower
You have to admit, this sounds super appealing, coming back from the yard work done, sweaty, and who-knows-what all over you, and being able to rinse off outside. No tracking dirt through your house, and no waiting your turn inside! It’s one of those things that seems fancy, but then you realize you can literally build one yourself, without going all resort. Just a little setup for when you are melting away in the brutal heat, and jumping into cold water feels like you’ve hit reset.
14. Outdoor Movie Screen
Honestly, this one’s just fun. There’s something enchanting about being outside at night, watching a movie under the stars, like it’s your very own backyard theater. We can all agree, whether you have kids, or it’s just adults hanging in or being social, people get weirdly excited about this. And honestly, it can be as simple as you want or need. You don’t need to make it complicated at all. There are super simple ways to do it without needing some kind of full tech degree!
