Top tips to get your home holiday ready

Create a garden hang-out

Your garden has loads of potential – you just need to think about how you want to use it.

For staying warm during those summer evenings, add a fire pit, they’re perfect for low-pressure evenings hanging out with friends. You can either get a built-in fire pit or buy a smaller fire bowl. Either way, you’ve got a mesmerising centrepiece that’ll keep you warm as the sun dips below the horizon. Just make sure there’s enough seating for your guests, put up some string lights or lanterns, get the drinks ready and enjoy a magical evening.

Or if you love to host, outdoor kitchens are having a moment. They don’t need to be too elaborate: a built-in grill and countertop are all you need to serve up memorable meals for friends and family. Or if your ambitions are a bit more gourmet, we’ve seen brick pizza ovens, built-in fridges and sinks, and even dishwashers!

Post your landscaping job

Throw some shade

Does your garden struggle for shade? It’s an essential element and one that’s easy to overlook. It’ll help you make the most of your garden no matter how high the mercury rises.

One of the best options is to add planting. While it can take a long time for a sapling to grow to a tree, it doesn’t take long for fast-growing climbers to find their way up a trellis. You get soft shade through the plants, plus added greenery.

For an immediate effect, you can’t beat a pergola. There are loads of options, especially if you have it built by a professional carpenter. Solid roof pergolas work for rain or shine. Or if you choose a model with a slatted roof, you can encourage climbing plants for dappled shade, or even add a fabric canopy that you can pull out when the sun heats up. Otherwise, think about where you’ve got anchor points for canopies, shade cloths and outdoor curtains. These cheap and simple options are a quick way to cover up without adding a permanent structure.

Post your carpentry job

Add some family space

Even a big house can feel small during school holidays. So why not give the kids somewhere to be, rather than getting under your feet?

Not many of us have a spare room to turn into a playroom or gaming den. And we’re not talking about adding an extension, loft conversion or garden room (though that would be nice…) Instead, it’s about giving them somewhere to relax and feel comfortable – which might just need a bit of imagination. It might be as simple as a couple of beanbags and a bookcase in the corner of the lounge. Hang a couple of pictures on the wall and some favourite toys and you’ve got a simple summer playroom.

Or of course, you can dial it up a bit. Build in a room divider, add a lick of paint. We’ve seen some amazing treehouses and wendy houses for kids, and even hang-out sheds for teenagers and tweens. Get them involved in the design process and you can create a place they’ll treasure for years to come.

Post your handyman job

Now’s the time to get those projects planned to really make the most of your time at home this summer – however you’re spending it.