Summer is a great time to start new projects that add both exterior and interior value to your home. The warm weather makes it much easier to get work done both indoors and outdoors. Paint and stain dry faster, you can leave furniture outside if you need to, inspiration and creativity abound, and more! Here are some indoor and outdoor summer projects you might want to start this year!
Summer indoor projects
Finishing tables, bedside tables and more
If you’re looking for a way to refresh the look of your furniture without completely replacing it, consider DIY refinishing projects. There are many new ways to bring your accent furniture to life, right from home. Wardrobes and side tables are a great place to start.
- Apply a new stain. This is good for wooden furniture and is very simple. Sand the piece first and then apply your stain in the color of your choice. Once the stain is applied, wipe off any excess before it has time to dry. Then, once it’s dry, decide if you want to add another coat of paint to make it a little darker. Finally, apply a top coat to protect against damage or stains. Here are some woodworking tips on how to choose stains and finishes.
- Repaint with a new color completely. If you don’t prefer wood stains, sand the current piece of furniture and repaint with something completely new. Pops of color are very popular, especially in more neutral-toned rooms.
- You could take this idea a step further and add a vintage or “washed” look to the paint. Here is one simple distribution on how to add a distressed look to your furniture.
Interior painting
Summer is the ideal time to paint the interior of your home. Plan accordingly, paying close attention to the weather forecast so you can move furniture outside if necessary. Plus, if it’s a nice day, you’ll be able to get out of the house while the paint dries.
The best part about interior painting is developing a new look or theme for your home. Page through various home magazines to get a feel for what you like. From walls covered in warm or cool colors, to neutral shades with accent tones, there are many creative possibilities. And that’s where the fun comes in!
Professional painters can be expensive. However, if you follow these painting tips, you can do it yourself and no one will be the wiser. Quick note: If you’re doing it yourself, you might want to start strengthening your nails before you start. Moving furniture, completing prep work and removing tape from walls can damage nails. Give yourself a week or two to strengthen your nails Powerful Botanical Nail Strengthener. This nail strengthening formula contains Horsetail herb which is rich in silicon. It will instantly support strong, healthy nails.
Now let’s get to it!
- Wipe down the surface to be painted. Clean off all cobwebs and allow the area to dry completely.
- Always use masking tape! It’s the safest way to ensure clean lines and edges. The most common mistake people make when using masking tape is to spread the paint too thick. The film is not waterproof. Apply thin layers of paint and avoid painting over the tape as much as possible.
- Cover any furniture left in the room, as well as carpets, if you’re worried about splashes and spills.
- Always cut in the room. Cutting is a painting technique described in more details here. Paint all trim first with a 2-3 inch brush. After the trim is painted, you can use a roller to paint the rest. Experts say it’s best to form a “W” pattern over and over on the wall. After covering a wall from left to right with “W” patterns, then go back to the beginning and paint vertical lines. This will help eliminate stains.
- Be prepared to do a second coat, even if the paint is “One Coat Guaranteed”.
There is no problem. Coloring can be hard on your hands and nails, so be sure to take care of them every night. You will find yourself constantly washing your hands to remove the paint which can be very drying. At the end of the day add a drop of Nail Magic’s Thai Essence Hand & Cuticle Oil on each nail. Massage gently with this oil to replenish moisture on your hands, nails and cuticles.
Deep cleaning
While not a glamorous interior project, summer is a great time to deep clean rooms and appliances throughout your home.
Take a look at ours Spring cleaning tips to save time and money. You’ll find easy-to-do tasks, streak-free glass cleaning tips, instructions on how to make natural cleaners, and more.
Always remember to take care of your skin, cuticles and nails when deep cleaning. From harsh chemicals to washing your hands more than usual, there are many ways to damage your hands and nails while cleaning. A nail strengthener and cuticle oil will make all the difference to your healthy, natural nails.
Outdoor summer projects
Build an outdoor patio
During the warmer summer months, an outdoor patio will take your home to the next level of comfort.
Starting with the basics, you should decide on a platform. Whether you’re adding a brand new deck or expanding your current deck, this is where they come in handy tips for building a simple deck from “This Old House”. Remember that you may need to check local licensing laws depending on the size of your project.
You can also consider building a separate stone patio elsewhere in your yard. Here are ideas from Family HandyMan about building your own stone or brick patio. You will find information about the materials and tools necessary to complete this project yourself. You’ll also want to take a trip to your local showroom and supply store to see the different stones available for your patio, for example, brick, pavers, pavers, and concrete options.
Decorate or furnish your terrace
Start by considering shade options, such as awnings or curtains, so that even on hot days you and your guests can enjoy the outdoors in comfort.
If you like to host dinner parties or cocktail parties, you should consider an outdoor kitchen or bar. You can keep it simple with a stroller that can be covered and stored outside. Equip the basket with glassware, dry ingredients, and a tub cooler to hold ice during the party. Depending on the type of food you like to cook, invest in a grill or install a brick oven. Here is one list of recipes that you can cook in a brick oven besides pizza!
Decorating the porch is the best part! Furnish your outdoor patio with comfortable, easy-to-clean furniture. The weather can be unpredictable even in summer, so you’ll want pillows and blankets that are safe from the rain and easy to wash.
Lighting is very important for both comfort and ambiance. Consider solar ground lights to highlight any garden areas you have, or string lights wrapped around beams or trees. Check out this collection of patio decorating ideas from Beautiful house to inspire your look.
Add fresh mulch to the garden
Summer is a great time to add fresh mulch to your garden beds. Throughout the year, the color of the mulch fades and yard debris like leaves and grass clippings find their way to the top. Adding a layer of fresh mulch will make your garden pop like new!
When working with mulch, be sure to wear gloves to avoid small fragments or getting your hands dirty. You will want to spread the mulch thinly and evenly. For a final touch, use your gloved hands to gently spread it around. Take a few steps back to find any uneven areas and adjust.
If you don’t have a pair of gloves or the mulch manages to find its way in, be sure to wash your hands with warm soapy water. Inspect them in good lighting to look for any small streaks you may have picked up and finally be sure to moisturize with Nail Magic’s Hand & skin oil. Your hands will be dry after a day in the garden, with or without gloves. Replenishment of moisture is just as important as hydrating the rest of the body. The oil is infused with lemongrass and lavender to help repair dry, damaged hands and cuticles. With just a few drops on each hand before bed, your hands, nails and cuticles will feel like new in the morning.
If you haven’t already started your garden, be sure to visit ours DIY Spring Garden Projects! The projects you will find there can easily be started in the summer.
Enjoy your new space
Take advantage of the lovely, warm summer months to get some indoor and outdoor home improvement projects done. Whether you want to add value to your home and property or just want more comfort, these DIY projects are a great way to get started. As always, be sure to take care of yourself while working on projects around the house. Stay hydrated, hydrate often, ice sore muscles and get plenty of rest.
