If like most of us, your reading list is overflowing with books you never get around to or maybe you're guilty of never giving yourself time to relax, this one is for you. Two strong support posts and a hammock is all you need, perhaps some sort of shade for the hottest day. Early morning? After work? Sunday at noon? Grab a book and get swinging. As you can tell this is one of those simple and cheap renovations great for getting your feet wet. P.S. if you're feeling adventurous you good even spend a night or two out in the hammock with a blanket. Read yourself to sleep under the stars. Nothing better.
In the heat of summer, you're probably going to be spending a lot of time outside. So, why not spruce up (pun not intended) your backyard with a real wood deck? Granted, it can be a more expensive option but it tends to pay off in the long run as it's something you can use for decades. From barbeques to night-caps you could potentially spend a lot of time out on a deck. Hey, maybe you could even put your hammock on your deck.
Since you're spending so much time in your garden now, what with the deck and hammock, you might want to improve the view. Get some landscaping done. Put in some raised beds and low walls where you can grow flowers. If you're feeling ambitious you good even grow food or get an automatic irrigation system installed for a self-watering garden. If you're smart about it, this could even save you money in the long run with your harvest. It will also just make your garden a lot nicer to be in.
With your beautiful new garden you're probably having a lot of guests over, right? Barbeques, drinks, dinner parties, etc. A stone walkway might be a nice addition. Whether leading to your front door or a winding path through your flower beds this is a renovation that's sure to impress visitors. You could consider red brick or cobblestone. Maybe grey brick or stepping stones. With so many different styles you're limited only by your imagination... and your budget...
The King of all summer renovations. The outdoor pool. Make no mistake, this is not cheap to build or maintain but if you have money to spare. It might be time to host the king. With limitless additions that are accompanied by a limitless price tag, you can splurge on a hot tub section, a diving board, a wave machine etc. Alternatively, you can opt to keep it simple.
Even the most basic pool can have amazing value. Pool party? Check. Hot day in with the family? Check. Need to entertain the kids? Check. So, despite the King's price-tag, he might just be worth it. You could consider building a walkway from your back door all the way to your pool.
This is an interesting one since it's just as useful in the Winter as in the summer. A room primarily made from glass protects you from the wind and rain whilst still allowing the Sun's rays in. One might even use it for astronomy on a particularly cold night. Despite the high price you could actually benefit and end up saving because of the amount of money, a specialised room could add to the value of your house.
If you live in a nice neighbourhood, extra floorspace is always beneficial. Besides that, a sunroom can be a great way to raise your family's standard of living. It's summer? Lounge around in the heat with a book or a film. It's Winter? Save on the heating by getting some Sun without the wind. Pro tip: Add a stone table for some extra thermal mass.
Admittedly, this is an unconventional pick and it only works if you have kids - or you're a child on the inside. But it can be another one of those very fun but cheap renovations. Create a small maze for your children to run around and play it, just make sure it's not big enough for them to get lost in. There are tonnes of options from the simplest wooden planks to more pricey stone walls. You might even consider plastic if you want to go for a fun-house aesthetic.
If you kids complain about boredom or you miss acting like a child this might be the underdog renovation you need to spice things up. So there you have it. Seven awesome renovations you should do in summer. You've got a lot of variety there, from the staple pool and deck to the cheap hammock. Even the undercard maze. You have no reason to get add some value to your house and your life this summer. Get planning. If you're going for the landscaping option, get planting.