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You can have the best summer holiday yet with your family without leaving your home. These garden staycation ideas can take care of that for you. Let’s make every sunny day feel like a getaway, shall we?
Our team of outdoor living experts have put together this list of their favourite summer garden ideas to make home just as good as away this season.
Turn Your Outdoor Room into a Garden Staycation Spot
That structure at the end of your garden? It’s got holiday written all over it.
Maybe the garden room is unused or hasn’t been used to its full potential. You can turn it into a proper space again, whether it’s an old shed, a separate garage, or something else. Here are a few ideas:
A summer house retreat
A summer house just makes sense for the warm weather. It gives you a personal haven to unwind, read a book, enjoy a cold drink, or simply spend time there. You can turn it into a daytime lounge, a hobby room, or a quiet corner to work or get creative.
This project may take time, effort, and money, especially if you’re going for a big makeover. If the existing structure lacks windows, you’ll need to add them, as in the case of a shed conversion.
And that’s just one of the many things to tackle, including deciding on summer house colours, choosing summerhouse furniture, or getting rid of flies in garden.
Kids playhouse for your little ones
The best way to keep children entertained during their school break is to let them have fun in their own space. Using the same “existing” garden room, set it up with kid-friendly playhouse furniture. Think floor cushions, a few toys, maybe even a blackboard wall.
When the space is on the bigger side and kids are getting into their teens, these playhouse ideas for teenagers are just what you need. It can still be a great hangout spot for them, but they’ll need to be ready to let some things go. We’re talking about clearing those bulky toys and replacing them with things more suited to their changing interests.
Pool house shed
Got a swimming pool in your garden? Let’s scale that down to a hot tub. Even if you only have a paddling pool, bring in that resort feeling with a pool house. Say it’s the inflatable kind—keep it close to the garden building.
The setup can be like a summer house if you want to use it for shelter or an entertainment room. Alternatively, it can work as storage for pool equipment or even a shower area. One or two sun loungers at the side would be brilliant for seating. Don’t forget to add a large umbrella or parasol for sun protection.
Note: A pool shed will likely be exposed to moisture, so go for one that’s durable and resistant to water damage. A pressure treated shed, galvanised steel or aluminium metal shed, or plastic shed are your best bet.
Garden pub you don’t have to walk home from
Forget the pricey pints and long queues, and keep the cold drinks coming for a full treat garden staycation experience! Lucky for you, pulling off this setup doesn’t take much—unless you want to go all out.
A small fridge, a simple bar counter, and a couple of stools are enough to get you started. Add storage for drinks, some seating, and a few lights to set the mood.
Some even bring a telly for match days or a mini drinks menu on the wall for a laugh. And if you like having people around, this could be your hosting spot; no need to tidy the whole house.
Check out these garden bar inspirations for more.
Get Your Outdoor Space Ready for Staycation Mode
Not got a garden room? Or want to spread out? Your patio, shed, and decking can do more than you think:
Put together the perfect garden furniture
Your patio has way more potential and less of a concrete or patch of grass with the right furniture pieces.
Start with the seating. Whether it’s a couple of armchairs, a bench, or a L-shaped sofa, having a place to relax makes all the difference. It’s where you’ll unwind with a good book or enjoy quality family time after a full day of garden fun.
Next up, dining furniture. A table and chairs mean you can enjoy meals outside, from breakfast in the sun to an evening BBQ.
Finish up the look with a fire pit. It’s brilliant for cooler nights, adding warmth and a bit of atmosphere. Plus, it gives you a reason to linger outside longer, maybe roasting marshmallows or just chatting late into the evening.
Decking = more room for seating, sunbathing, and everything in between
A garden deck gives you a level, solid space for decking furniture ideas like chairs, loungers, or a table set. You, your friends and family aren’t stuck on the grass either while enjoying the good weather outside.
It also helps break up your garden into zones, which makes it feel more like a suitable staycation setup. One side for chilling with a drink, another for the kids, or a corner with a garden heater or grill. However you lay it out, it’s a simple upgrade that brings that holiday feeling home.
Here are some budget garden decking ideas for design and layout inspiration.
Extras that kids and adults will enjoy
Slides and trampolines are an easy win with the kids, and you might catch the adults having a go too. Put them on flat ground away from fences or furniture for safety.
A pop-up goal, a swing seat, or a small paddling pool can also make the space feel lively and more like a weekend away. Just keep it practical. Make sure there’s soft ground around play areas and plenty of room to move safely.
Such little additions bring extra fun without turning the garden into a playground.
Come Up with Fun Outdoor Games
Nothing beats a proper staycation when there’s a bit of friendly competition and some outdoor games involved. Keep it simple by picking games that fit your garden.
Croquet, badminton, and boules are favourites in the UK. You could also try frisbee, sack races, or a treasure hunt for the little ones. Or go for the classic ones, such as giant Jenga, glow-in-the dark bowling, cornhole boards, slide and toss, and scavenger hunts.
These games don’t need much space or fancy gear but bring plenty of laughs and keep everyone moving—exactly what a good staycation is about. They’re perfect after downtime in the summer house or when the kids want to stretch their legs outside the playhouse.
Make a Garden Staycation Plan
You don’t need to overthink it or turn it into a big production, but having a rough plan helps. Jot down a few simple ideas for the week.
It could be themed days like build your own burger night or a garden cinema day. Maybe plan a BBQ one evening or a games afternoon. It gives the kids something to look forward to and stops things from feeling ‘samey’.
Get the children involved and let them help with the planning. It keeps them engaged and takes pressure off you. So when the day comes, you can relax and enjoy without scrambling around.
Just a way to keep your garden staycation direction without making it a full-on mission.
Ready to Make the Most of It?
A garden staycation is about slowing down, using what you’ve got, and turning your own space into something special, even if it’s just for a few days. Spend time with your family and enjoy these ideas at home without all the rush. Make it your own and give it a go!
