Fun DIY Projects To Do At Home in the Summer

Summer opens up a huge window of opportunities for all kinds of DIY projects. In colder seasons, it is not as easy to build something in your backyard or front lawn as everything is frozen or wet. But a huge variety of DIY projects are possible in the summer when staying outside for long periods of time is more comfortable.

From campsites to porch swings, there are a lot of summer DIY ideas for you to think about and consider trying in your own home. The fun part about doing DIY over the summer is the feeling of accomplishment and bonding with those that will help you out in the process. You can always find seasoned specialists to help you build and create whatever you have in mind. But getting your hands dirty with the occasional crafty endeavor can also be just as fun as enjoying the results with a cold glass of boba tea. 

A Charming DIY Porch Swing

DIY Porch Swing to Relax In

Outdoor comfort is one of the best amenities one could have in their own home. The porch swing is one of the most popular pieces of outdoor furniture and an iconic symbol of suburban relaxation. It is not only a cozy place to sit and relax, but it is also a very charming external addition to the home.

What makes it such a great DIY project for the summer is that it is relatively easy to build and at the same time it is a very rewarding addition to add to your outdoor living. You do not even need much experience as a carpenter to build it. With a few tools and the right materials (which you can purchase from most hardware stores), you can build the perfect porch swing within a couple of days. 

Endless DIY Fire Pit Ideas to Try

Make Your Own Fire Pit for the Perfect Lounge at Home

Roasting marshmallows and singing around a fire are staples of summer evenings. Most people leave these experiences for when they go camping, but why not do it every day of the week around your own fire pit in the backyard? If you have enough room in your backyard and have all the hardscaping permits from your hardscape designer or landscaper, building your own private fire pit is a great summer project to embark on.

Much like a porch swing, if you have all the necessary tools and a little experience in working with brick and mortar, you should be able to build a fire pit in only a few days. If you lack the experience, you can always find a stonemason or even a handyperson who will be more than willing to help you. You would be surprised by how easy a fire pit is to build. With the right equipment and materials, you can build a fire pit that is not only durable but also accentuates the rest of your backyard. And DIY doesn’t have to be drab; consider elements like fire glass that can give your fire pit an exotic, modern look.

DIY Outdoor Kitchen, Because You Deserve It

Ready to Build an Outdoor Kitchen?

Barbeques, cookouts, and picnics are just some of the ways you can enjoy an outdoor kitchen. Few things are as satisfying to do outside as cooking your own food in the fresh air as you enjoy the gentle summer breeze with your friends and loved ones. Without an outdoor kitchen, you would have to constantly run in and out of the house, which risks you spilling drinks, dropping food, or even tripping over the sliding glass door frame. 

An outdoor kitchen brings all the conveniences of a standard interior kitchen to the backyard, where they are more accessible during barbeques and cookouts. By building your own outdoor kitchen zone, you will be everyone’s favorite host, fully equipped to play out an entire evening without being dependent on the main house. No matter how big or small your budget is, your outdoor kitchen will allow you to have everything within your reach as you take your outdoor living to a new level of fun, comfort, and luxury.

Festive Outdoor String Lights 

DIY Backyard Twinkle Lights

Lighting is very important and not only indoors, but outdoors as well. To create that serene evening atmosphere and keep the good vibes going well after it gets dark, you need to light up the landscape. And no outdoor lighting can create that same cozy atmosphere like twinkle lights. They are very reasonably priced and you can buy them in most stores. They also come in all kinds of colors and designs. You can even get smart twinkle lights that you can control with your smartphone to change their color and effects.

The DIY portion of this project is installing the lights and knowing where to put them. While twinkle lights are not meant to illuminate the area completely, they can still be an eyesore if too many are placed in a concentrated area. For the best, most magical results, spread the lights out as much as possible, to illuminate as much outdoor space as possible. This way, you can avoid having one area of your backyard extremely bright while the rest is stuck in darkness.

Build a Greenhouse In Your Backyard

Rewarding DIY Projects Perfect for Summer

For a more specialized and challenging DIY project for the summer, consider building your own greenhouse. Summer is the best time to build a greenhouse since by the time you are finished the weather is still warm and you still have a chance to do some planting before the cold temperatures come in.  

Modern greenhouses are much easier to build than they were before. With the availability of materials like transparent polycarbonate plastic, you can build your greenhouse without having any experience as a glazier. Some DIY greenhouses will cost them no more than $200, which is unheard of for many homeowners who wrongly believe that building a greenhouse is going to cost them somewhere in the thousands. With enough careful planning and by calculating all the materials and tools you will need for the job, building your own greenhouse makes for a fun and even educational experience.

Raised Garden Beds

How to Build a Raised Garden Bed

If you don’t have enough room for a greenhouse and you do not have the time to dig up the backyard, raised flower beds are the perfect alternative for your inner gardener. Garden beds are easy to build and can be fitted into all kinds of spaces. Even a small backyard can make use of more than one raised garden bed. 

Building a raised garden bed is not very difficult, either. You can finish the job in a matter of hours given that you have the necessary materials and tools. DIY garden beds make planting easier and more convenient as you do not have to worry about shoveling big patches of land just to grow a few plants. Garden beds make gardening more compact and manageable, which is great if you’re a novice gardener but prioritize having fresh and organic produce at your fingertips.

Putting Together a Birdhouse

DIY Projects to Do With the Family

The birdhouse is a classic decoration for backyards. It is not only a way to bring more color into your landscape but also is a great way to interact with nature. Humans have been fascinated by birds for thousands of years and one of the easiest ways of interacting with them is by building a birdhouse, filling it with seeds, and waiting for the birds to fly in and out as they set up a nest.

This is a perfect project to work on with kids, especially if they have a special place in their hearts for animals. You can spend hours watching the birds fly around as they slowly build their nest. It’s also a fun opportunity for your kids to learn a few things about wildlife, too. The birdhouse does not need to be anything too complicated: a small, solid wood structure is more than enough. Though you can always add more elements to it as a little surprise for its tiny residents.

A Backyard Campsite

How to Set Up A Campsite In Your Backyard

Camping is fun but very labor-intensive. You need to buy everything, find the right camping grounds, travel out of town, unpack, assemble, repack, and the list goes on. For people working with a tight schedule, this is not something they can do even in the summer unless they take a holiday from work, which we know is not always possible. If you can’t go camping, then bring the camping to you.

Who says that camping in the backyard is not camping? Sure, it is not the most ideal camping experience as you are not out in the wild. But at the very least you are outdoors and you can get a little camping done even if you are not out in the wilderness. There are a lot of backyard camping ideas to try out from converting an old shed into a cabin, to putting up tents yourself, creating a small fire pit, and spending the night by the fire. Backyard camping can be a very fun time with both friends and family alike and it is very easy to set up. There are many methods of repurposing a garden shed and you will be pleased to know how easy it is to turn your backyard into a campsite.

DIY Hammock Bed

DIY Hammock Swing

While not exactly indicative of camping, hammocks are another great addition to backyard living. They are a fun addition to any landscape and are very comfortable for lying in. Hammocks are so comfortable that some people may even hang them in their bedroom and use it as their primary bed.

Who can blame them? Hammocks are super comfortable, very easy to install, and can turn your backyard into a little tropical paradise. Lying under the sun, rocking back and forth during the summer is one of the best ways to relax after work or on a weekend — and the kids will love it, too.

Tree Bench for DIY Quiet Time

Simple SIY Projects that You'll Love Forever, Photo by: Michael Coghlan

Sitting under the shade of a tree is a classic way to unwind and enjoy the outdoors. Unfortunately, the dirt in your landscape may be too rough to sit on as there are too many stones and pebbles all over the place. A great way to work around this problem is with a tree bench. 

This project is a great way to enjoy the summer weather while creating something very unique and attractive. Wrapping a bench around a tree is a great way to add convenience, but also beautiful hardscaping, and added functionality to your garden. If you have a bookworm in the family, they will be especially appreciative of this DIY endeavor. 

Detached Deck for Outdoor Living

DIY Summer Projects Worth the Time Investment

Outdoor living is all about finding the perfect space to enjoy some fresh air. When it comes to sitting outside and relaxing, a detached deck is one of the most convenient ways to enjoy the outdoors. While it is a slightly more complicated project than most of the other ones mentioned above, it is still very much doable and you can finish it in less than a week.

A detached deck can open up a lot of opportunities for outdoor activities. You can always enjoy the more relaxing pastimes, like reading a book, napping, or just hanging out with friends. But a deck is also a great place to host dinner on the warmer evenings, dinner with friends, cookout, play board games, and so much more. Plus, it will add value to your house, significantly.