Summer is welcomed for its long, sunny days and endless opportunities for delightful outdoor fun, but by July, you may already be resenting the unrelenting heat. Such high temperatures can be a drain not only on your energy and health but also on your wallet—your energy bills may spike quickly thanks to the constant churning of the AC.
To help tackle summertime discomfort and excessive cooling fees, invest in a little prevention in your backyard. The following home-improvement tasks can apply a layer of sunscreen over your property, creating a heat-resistant, ultraefficient outdoor refuge while also shielding your home from the sun’s sweltering rays.
Though pergolas have open slats at the top, these structures are still effective at interrupting sunlight, acting as sufficient barriers without obscuring your views. Their open ceilings also allow heat to rise up and out naturally, which makes them excellent spaces for entertaining and relaxing. Even better, a pergola directly next to your home’s exterior walls can help shade nearby windows to mitigate indoor heat. This can offer some welcome relief to your AC system during high-temperature hours and potentially reduce your cooling costs.
To ramp up the sun protection and craft a truly impressive backyard centerpiece, ornament your pergola with creeping plants or vines, which will form a gorgeous, heat-filtering roof as they flourish. However, these can take several years to mature, so for an instant solution, consider installing a pergola with an adjustable louvered roof that you can alter based on the sun’s position for all-day shade.
Custom, professionally installed pergolas can cost $5,000 on average, but if you opt for a DIY kit from your local home-improvement store, you can cast some serious shade for as little as $800. Or for a similar light-filtering effect, place tall lattices around entertaining zones. These inexpensive pieces are suitable for small areas, such as a cozy patio or the passage between your front and back yards, and they’re simple to install without a contractor. Shading plants such as vines are quite fond of them too.
If you’re looking for something less obtrusive than a pergola, invest in a shade device like an awning. Installing retractable awnings is far more affordable than building a covered patio—plus, their adjustable settings make them extremely versatile and convenient. You can affix these coverings onto virtually any tall, sturdy surface, including exterior walls and soffits, to block sunlight for both the entertaining areas below and the closest interior rooms, helping to keep both cool. And if you select a simple, stylish fabric that matches your home’s exterior, a backyard awning can look just as elegant as a pergola.
A cheaper and more DIY-friendly alternative includes hanging outdoor curtains or roll-up shades from a high surface. Because they block low light rather than overhead light, these options are particularly effective at shading morning or evening sunshine. For even more affordable solutions, plant umbrellas, a canopy, or a beach tent directly over relaxation spaces like poolside chairs or a backyard dining table. While these easily moveable options may be less sturdy and long-lasting than the preceding ones, they’re inexpensive enough to replace when needed without breaking the bank.
Beyond appearing lush and vibrant, large plants can serve as immensely effective cooling agents for your home and backyard. According to the EPA, “Trees and vegetation (e.g. bushes, shrubs, and tall grasses) lower surface and air temperatures by providing shade and cooling through evaporation and . . . releasing water vapor into the air through their leaves.” Plant fast-growing vegetation around your outdoor living spaces for superior comfort and beauty, positioning them to help obscure your roof and windows from the sun. To maximize their benefits, plant them on the west side of your house and select ultrashady deciduous species such as palo verde and tulip trees, which both feature dense canopies.
As these plants mature, following proper maintenance tenets is key. For example, you’ll want to water and fertilize them according to their species-specific recommendations to encourage ideal growth. And while it’s wise to prune branches that are in danger of extending over your roof and other structures, you should avoid unnecessary clipping—the broader and fuller your trees and shrubs are, the more effective they will be at reducing heat.
If you’d prefer to gain immediate benefits, opt for mature greenery from a tree installation service instead. While this may be a hefty investment (costing up to $1,300 per tree), just a few will be broad enough to shade your entire yard and garden.
Finally, always prioritize keeping your body safe from summer heat. If you choose to enjoy your backyard on a hot, sunny day, stay hydrated and remain in the shade whenever possible. Consider installing heat-fighting features such as a swimming pool or ornamental pond, which provide ambient cool air. You could also add an outdoor ceiling fan to your patio or pergola to generate a comfortable breeze. These measures won’t necessarily cool your home or reduce your energy costs, but they can help you stay comfortable as you make the most of summer fun.
With so much fun to be had this season, the last thing anyone wants to do is stay inside and clean their house. But with these handy housekeeping ideas, you can maintain a neat home while still savoring the pleasures of summer.
When the warm weather beckons you outside, heed its call—the less time you spend indoors, the fewer opportunities you’ll have to create a mess. For instance, you can cook dinner on the grill to keep your stove clean and prevent grease and cooking smells from entering your home, then dine alfresco on your deck or patio so you won’t dirty your dining table. Just be sure to scrub your grill grates with a long-handled brush shortly after you’re done grilling; if you do so while they’re still a bit warm, any food or grease that’s been cooked on should come off easily.
In summer, it’s easy to track the outdoors inside, whether it’s sand from the beach or dirt from your garden. To help maintain a tidy house, create a mudroom spot by one of your home’s main exits, where you, family members, and guests can pause to remove debris and deposit items that may be dirty. Lay down a welcome mat on either side of the door for wiping shoes, install hooks on a wall for hanging raincoats, and add a bench with a spot underneath for storing footwear. You could also instigate a no-shoes policy to help avert some messes; consider keeping clean slippers designated for inside use in your mudroom area that people can swap their dirty shoes for upon entering your home.
Cleaning your clothes can be time-consuming, but you can lighten your load by employing a variety of tactics. For instance, using a divided hamper for lights and darks will allow you to avoid having to sort them later, while giving family members their own mesh bags for their socks should better prevent pairs from getting separated, necessitating an exhausting search. Wash big loads of laundry so you can do fewer of them in total, being careful not to fill your machine’s tub more three-quarters full to help ensure that your clothes can get fully clean. You can also use your washer’s and dryer’s “delay start” functions, if they have them, to set their cycles to begin and finish when it’s most convenient for you. Finally, to avoid wrinkles (and thus the need to iron), fold, hang, or roll clothing as soon as it comes out of the dryer.
While there may be no way to cut back on how often you have to dust, there are many strategies you can use to make the chore itself more efficient. For one, always declutter your home’s surfaces first so you can wipe them in one go and make sure to get every inch. Also, the way you dust matters—do so incorrectly, and you’ll end up simply spreading the dust around. Use a damp rag or a microfiber cloth, which should be able to trap more dust, and make sure to work from the top down, tackling higher surfaces before lower ones. And always get this job done before vacuuming or sweeping so you can remove any dust that falls to the floor.
Incorporating baskets, bins, and other storage containers can make a world of difference for your home’s neatness. For instance, place a basket by your main door to hold your mail and one on the floor in your living room to hide books and magazines. In addition, adding decorative storage bins to other rooms can help you manage stray items to put away later.
You don’t have to devote a whole day, or even a large portion of one, to cleaning. Be clever with how you use your time—perhaps clear your kitchen counters while a meal is simmering on the stove or open mail during your favorite TV show. If you can devote just a few spare minutes daily to straightening up, your home will be tidier as a result.
Ultimately, the most efficient way to keep your house clean is to stay on top of messes and prevent little ones from building up. For example, every time you finish in the shower, give its surfaces a quick spray with a cleaning agent followed by a rinse so soap scum will be less likely to accumulate. Similarly, immediately wipe up any household spills, such as on your countertops or in your microwave, before they solidify and become harder to remove. Also, it’s not cheating to have a robotic vacuum go over your floors a few minutes a day for you; this will help keep them spotless without you having to put in much effort.
With so many different areas to stay on top of in your home, it can be easy for a household chore to slip your mind. To better remember every cleaning task, consider creating a checklist for what and when you need to straighten up. You could make it a simple to-do list or plan out everything on a weekly calendar—use the printable below to get started!
Without just a few simple strategies, you can tackle essential household chores in a jiff and keep your home sparkling this summer and beyond.
When it comes to soaking up the summer sun, your backyard is the perfect place to unwind, entertain, and relax throughout the season. So why not make the extra effort to turn it into a sanctuary that offers a true escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life? With these tips, you can transform your patio, deck, or lawn into a retreat you’re sure to love for years to come.
Before diving into the details, take a step back and envision what you want your outdoor oasis to look like. Are you hoping to add a cozy corner you can curl up and read in? Do you want to make your patio the perfect spot for alfresco dining with family and friends? Whatever you’re after, consider the space you have to work with and how you can bring your vision to life. This might involve dividing your patio into two sections or adding concrete pavers to the side of your yard that you can put a table and chairs on. By looking at the whole picture, you can determine how to best utilize the area you have and identify what new pieces you may need to create your backyard retreat.
Once you have your vision, conduct careful measurements of the area so you can find furniture that works within it. For instance, if you want to hang a hammock, measure where you’d like to put it—such as between two trees or in an open corner of your yard—to determine the size you may need. Or if you’re looking to add a dining table to your patio, measure the usable space to estimate how big you can go. Be sure to check that there’s enough room to comfortably pull chairs in and out from every side of it.
Because this furniture will be exposed to all kinds of weather conditions, it may be worth investing in high-quality pieces made of teak, aluminum, or other weather-resistant materials. This will help ensure that they last for longer than one season. Consider also adding plush cushions, throw pillows, and outdoor rugs of varying colors and textures, opting for hardy materials such as polypropylene. Such accents will enhance the comfort of the space to create a cozy atmosphere that’s perfect for unwinding after work and relaxing on the weekends.
If you find the sun to be too harsh in your backyard, you may want to add an element to your design that provides both shade and privacy. Consider installing a pergola, canopy, or umbrella to reduce the heat and enhance your comfort while you’re outside. For added ambience, you could also hang outdoor curtains around your patio or strategically place lush greenery such as an ivied trellis, hedge, or other plants around your new oasis. (For more tips on how to shade your backyard, see the article in this issue.)
To enhance the tranquility and serenity of your backyard, incorporate a few natural elements into the design—think water features, potted plants, and smooth rocks. A water fountain or small pond, for example, can help cool the surrounding area and provide pleasant white noise that may also mask any unwanted sounds from a nearby street or neighbor. Hanging baskets and planter boxes filled with colorful flowers and foliage can bring more vibrancy to your outdoor oasis. And if you’re establishing multiple areas in your yard, add a stepping-stone pathway to create a sense of flow and cohesion between the spaces.
Extend the enjoyment of your outdoor retreat into the evening hours with lighting elements that enhance the ambience and safety. String lights, lanterns, torches, and spotlights can add a warm and inviting glow to your backyard oasis, making it the perfect spot for friendly gatherings or romantic dinners throughout summer. Also consider installing solar-powered pathway lights or other fixtures to illuminate any walkways and prevent accidents while out roaming. And don’t forget about task lighting! These lights should be placed near your dining area, grill, or outdoor kitchen, especially if you plan to do any cooking or eating after the sun goes down.
When all is said and done, what’s most important is that you make your backyard sanctuary truly your own by infusing it with elements that reflect your personal style and preferences. After all, you’re the one who will be spending the most time out there, so it should be a place where you feel comfortable and at ease. Whether you prefer a sleek and modern aesthetic or a cozy and rural vibe, always choose decor, colors, and accessories that speak to you, such as outdoor artwork or sculptures you enjoy. Also consider connecting the design to that in your home, which can help your outdoor oasis feel like an extension of your indoor living spaces.
With careful planning and thoughtful design, you can transform your yard into a peaceful retreat where you can relax, recharge, and create lasting memories with loved ones. So prepare to soak up the sunshine, savor the fresh air, and enjoy the beauty of nature right in your own backyard.
For newcomers and longtime residents alike, establishing a connection with those in your community can create feelings of belonging and pride in where you live. However, amid busy schedules and other relationships, it can be easy to let getting to know your neighbors fall to the wayside—and difficult to know how to do so once you’re settled in. Here are some simple ways to break down barriers and build bridges to foster new connections right in your own backyard.
A key part of connecting with your neighbors is simply making contact, which can be tricky depending on the size of your neighborhood and the habits of its residents. The internet is a perfect solution for this. Search online for local forums or social media groups on sites like Facebook and Nextdoor—and if there aren’t any, make some! These spaces are a great place for neighbors to share community updates and recommendations, engage in discussions, and forge initial connections. You could even use them as a launchpad for in-person gatherings.
Consider hosting a small, casual get-together, such as a potluck dinner or a coffee meetup on your porch or driveway, to give your neighbors a chance to introduce themselves and begin learning more about each other. Once you get the ball rolling, others may likely follow, creating a rotation of regular gatherings at different homes.
Reach out to your neighbors to organize this classic neighborhood event. Encourage everyone to prepare their favorite dishes or desserts, and plan activities and games suitable for all age groups, such as a scavenger hunt, cornhole, or even a dance contest. It’s a perfect way to mingle without the pressure of conversation, and nothing bonds people like a competition or collaborative activity.
If you enjoy immersing yourself in literature or engaging in games like poker, bunco, or canasta, you probably aren’t the only one in your neighborhood who does. These interests provide a fantastic reason to reach out and invite others to a book club or game night, where you can partake in both meaningful and casual conversations and get to know each other in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
For something a little more active, consider seeking out a walking partner or forming an exercise group. Working out with others can enhance the enjoyment of the activity and bring about a sense of accountability for everyone involved. This shared commitment to reaching a fitness goal can generate feelings of mutual support and connection, creating lasting bonds that may grow beyond the group sessions alone.
To form connections and give back all at once, seek out like-minded individuals who are willing to volunteer their time to collaborate on projects that address shared community needs. Whether organizing a cleanup day, participating in beautification efforts, or implementing a neighborhood watch program, these collective actions can build trust and offer long-term benefits for the community as a whole.
Community gardens can be a conduit for bringing people together by providing a shared space to enjoy nature while also promoting a healthier lifestyle and cleaner environment. Enlist neighbors and nearby friends and family to help you start one in your area, and seek feedback on what produce your community might appreciate the most.
Reach out to those who may benefit from extra care and assistance, such as elderly neighbors, to see if you could help with everyday tasks, including taking the trash to the curb or shopping for groceries. These small acts of kindness can go a long way toward making these individuals feel appreciated and well cared for.
Finally, whenever newcomers arrive, be sure to extend a warm welcome. Gestures like offering a friendly hello and a smile, delivering a batch of freshly baked cookies to their doorstep, or collaborating with other neighbors to organize a larger event can all make their transition smoother and showcase the supportive spirit of your neighborhood.
Building local connections takes time and effort, but the rewards can be immense. By fostering shared interests and creating a sense of camaraderie, you can transform your neighborhood from a mere collection of homes into a vibrant community where everyone feels valued, connected, and supported.
