Have a Picnic! 8 Ways to Make the Most of the Coming Weekend
Set aside time to have fun, do some planting and honor Dad for Father’s Day
Laura Gaskill
June 12, 2018
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Decluttering course + discount for Houzzers: https://www.lauragaskill.com/welcome-houzzers
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
With Father’s Day coming up on Sunday, June 17, in the U.S. and with International Picnic Day on June 18, this is a good weekend to enjoy a meal outdoors, hang out on the patio and try something from your summer fun list. Eight could-dos for a satisfying weekend are ahead.
1. Have a picnic, and maybe take in a concert too. Why not celebrate International Picnic Day on June 18 by eating your lunch alfresco? Or, if you can’t wait until Monday, take your pick of outdoor concerts and bring a basket of treats to enjoy in the fresh air: It’s the opening weekend of performances at Tanglewood in the Berkshires (in western Massachusetts) and the first in a series of free concerts at Stern Grove in San Francisco. Father’s Day is a popular weekend for live music, so check local listings to find an event near you.
How to Set Up a Gorgeous Outdoor Dinner Spread
How to Set Up a Gorgeous Outdoor Dinner Spread
2. Expand your garden space with repurposed containers. If you’d like to add more plants to your garden but the beds are getting full, consider extending the available space by adding a planter or two. Sturdy metal stock tanks can be used for growing edibles (at this point in the year, you’ll need to get store-bought plants rather than seeds), flowers and more. Don’t have a stock tank handy? Look at what you do have available with a creative eye — copper cooking pots, wooden crates and even teapots make unique planters.
Tip: Placing a lightweight filler material (such as empty milk cartons) in the bottom of large containers before adding soil will greatly reduce the weight of the planter, making it easier to move.
10 Repurposed Containers for a One-of-a-Kind Potted Garden
Tip: Placing a lightweight filler material (such as empty milk cartons) in the bottom of large containers before adding soil will greatly reduce the weight of the planter, making it easier to move.
10 Repurposed Containers for a One-of-a-Kind Potted Garden
3. Throw some shade on your patio. If your patio or deck gets full sun, having the right shade setup can make the difference between using it frequently and avoiding it on sunny days. If you already own shade sails or umbrellas, put them up for the season.
If you’d like to add more shade to your outdoor space, first take the time to notice where the sun falls throughout the day. Shade sails are a good option when you want stationary coverage and have a structure (like the edge of the house) that the sails can be attached to. If you’d like to be able to move the shade around the yard, freestanding patio umbrellas make more sense.
8 Stylish Ideas for Shady Outdoor Retreats
If you’d like to add more shade to your outdoor space, first take the time to notice where the sun falls throughout the day. Shade sails are a good option when you want stationary coverage and have a structure (like the edge of the house) that the sails can be attached to. If you’d like to be able to move the shade around the yard, freestanding patio umbrellas make more sense.
8 Stylish Ideas for Shady Outdoor Retreats
4. Visit an open house. Wish you could peek inside the homes in your favorite neighborhood? Attending an open house in your area or one you’re considering moving to can be a useful (and fun) experience, whether or not you’re actively house hunting. Most real estate agents expect a certain amount of open-house traffic to be from curious neighbors, so you don’t need to feel bad about attending.
If you go with an open mind, you might get an idea for renovating or decorating your own home, or glean insights into the current state of the local housing market. To be respectful of the agent’s time, save your questions for when there’s a lull in the crowd — and don’t pretend you’re interested in buying the house if you’re not!
8 Things to Learn From Open Houses (Whether or Not You’re Buying)
If you go with an open mind, you might get an idea for renovating or decorating your own home, or glean insights into the current state of the local housing market. To be respectful of the agent’s time, save your questions for when there’s a lull in the crowd — and don’t pretend you’re interested in buying the house if you’re not!
8 Things to Learn From Open Houses (Whether or Not You’re Buying)
5. Swap out slipcovers. If you have a few different slipcovers, this is a good weekend to trade out the heavier set for light summer whites. Don’t have slipcovers? If you’d like to get more versatility out of your current furniture (and help the upholstery last longer) consider investing in a set.
Check with the manufacturer of your furniture first — there could be a readymade option available for your model. If you can’t find an off-the-shelf style you love, you can hire a local seamstress to make a custom slipcover. Slipcovers (especially tailor-made ones) aren’t cheap, but they do typically cost far less than buying a new couch, and they can give your furniture a whole new look.
Slipcover Magic: Casual, Washable and Fresh for the Season
Check with the manufacturer of your furniture first — there could be a readymade option available for your model. If you can’t find an off-the-shelf style you love, you can hire a local seamstress to make a custom slipcover. Slipcovers (especially tailor-made ones) aren’t cheap, but they do typically cost far less than buying a new couch, and they can give your furniture a whole new look.
Slipcover Magic: Casual, Washable and Fresh for the Season
6. Get an aloe vera plant. As much as you try to always keep the sunscreen and wide-brim hats on hand, there are bound to be a few days when you get a little too much sun. Be prepared for post-sun soothing with an aloe vera plant. These easy-care beauties add a sculptural look to any space and are so handy to have that you’ll wonder why you went so long without one. To use your plant, carefully cut off a small section with a sharp knife, split the leaf open and rub the jelly-like cut side directly on sunburned skin.
A Dozen Summery Touches for the Bath | Find pots and planters
A Dozen Summery Touches for the Bath | Find pots and planters
7. Spoil Dad rotten. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue, a meal out, a meet-up at an outdoor concert or just a nice chat on the phone on June 17, take some time to consider what would make Father’s Day special. It’s often the simple things — a tall glass of cold brew on the porch, a video chat with a grandkid, gathering around the fire pit until late at night — that can really make Dad’s day great.
Of course, a thoughtful gift, such as the personalized grill tool hanger shown here, is always appreciated too. And if you’re remembering a dad or grandfather who has passed away, honor his memory by bringing out old photos and sharing your favorite stories.
Father’s Day DIY: Make a Personalized Grill Tool Hanger
Of course, a thoughtful gift, such as the personalized grill tool hanger shown here, is always appreciated too. And if you’re remembering a dad or grandfather who has passed away, honor his memory by bringing out old photos and sharing your favorite stories.
Father’s Day DIY: Make a Personalized Grill Tool Hanger
8. Make a summer fun list … and then check something off! From the little things (walk to get ice cream on a hot night) to the big (see fireworks, go camping in a National Park), list all of the good things you want to do in the next few months of summer.
Once you have a nice long list, pick something from it to do this weekend — and do it! Keep your list posted where you can see it daily, such as on a big chalkboard, and pick a few things to do each weekend of summer.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
14 To-Dos to Make the Most of Summer
Father’s Day Extravaganza! 19 Glorious Man Spaces by Houzzers
How to Pick a Patio Umbrella That Performs
Once you have a nice long list, pick something from it to do this weekend — and do it! Keep your list posted where you can see it daily, such as on a big chalkboard, and pick a few things to do each weekend of summer.
Your turn: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Let us know in the Comments.
More
14 To-Dos to Make the Most of Summer
Father’s Day Extravaganza! 19 Glorious Man Spaces by Houzzers
How to Pick a Patio Umbrella That Performs
Related Stories
Housekeeping
Choose Your Own Spring Cleaning Plan
Instead of trying to do it all, pick one of these six cleaning approaches that’s right for you now
Full Story
Bedrooms
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Bedroom
Take these steps to set up a calm and beautiful space that restores body, mind and spirit
Full Story
Decluttering
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Living Room
Make this a space you enjoy by paring back and filling it with things you love
Full Story
Life
10 Ideas to Make Every Day at Home a Little Better
By Jo Simmons
Consider some simple changes and fun tips for brightening your world
Full Story
Dining Rooms
How to Get a Joyful, Clutter-Free Dining Room
Some tidying tips — and a focus on what makes you happy — will help you get a handle on the dining-room drop zone
Full Story
Decluttering
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Bathroom
Streamline your bath and your bathing routine to create a place of renewal
Full Story
Kitchen Design
How to Create a Joyful, Clutter-Free Kitchen
Give yourself room to cook and relax by assessing how you use your counters, cabinets and corners
Full Story
Most Popular
8 Tips for Harmony in the Kitchen
Frustrated by the arguments that arise over kitchen duties? Check out these coping strategies
Full Story
Organizing
15 Simple Organizing Tools and Where They Work Best
You’ve created clutter-free zones at home. Now choose organizing products to help keep them that way
Full Story
Life
Simple Pleasures: The Joy of Fresh Sheets
Make your bed a place of comfort and relaxation with good-quality linens, ample pillows and other pleasing accoutrements
Full Story
Every time I see slip covers like #5, I think of the mid century plastic protection on all chairs, sofas and lamps! Then I think, those white slip covers aren't plastic - they are to protect the couch and chair fabrics since the owners are apparently getting ready to move. :)
Thanks for using our project (in idea #4- visit an open house). We usually have great renovation design projects on the market for sale and we love when we can inspire people! In fact, we have this one open this weekend in Oakland if you live in the area and want to check out our work! www.2229Trafalgar.com
Aloe vera works on thermal burns but not solar {sun} burns. Ask me how I know. :}