*Spending time soaking up a little fresh air is vital to any healthy lifestyle. Huffington Post confirms what naturalists and outdoor enthusiasts have known for years; being outside makes us better human beings. It slows aging, relieves stress, helps us maintain our weight, increases brain function and fights depression.
It’s difficult for those of us living in large cities to find time and space to be outdoors, let alone make outdoor space a part of our home life. And let’s face it: Some of us are great with power tools, and others of us are not. We’ve put together a list of ideas based on limited space, skills and power tool experience. No matter how sophisticated your DIY skill set or how small of an outdoor space you have to work with, this guide will inspire you to make outdoor living a part of your healthy everyday life.
High-Rise Apartment
Windows are everything when you’re trying to bring the outside into a city apartment. Fake a bay window with a few makeshift bench seats and/or coffee tables in a U shape. Stack books, journals, drawing paper, puzzles, newspapers, magazines — whatever inspires you to sit, be still, open the window and relax. Include a few house plants for even more fresh air and a sanctuary-like atmosphere. Remodelaholic.com has 20 inspirational window seats to get your creative juices flowing.
Tiny Little Backyard
Anyone with a dog will tell you that a tiny yard is better than no yard, but it can be frustrating when you’re short on space and big on outdoor ideas. You’ll have to be clever to maximize your little patch of heaven.
Bench seats are a great idea here — they keep everyone comfortable and save space in the middle for a yoga mat, Zen garden or card table. For summer, add misters or a ceiling or wall-mounted fan to keep you comfy; in winter, add a space heater to the mix (to save space, this can be mounted from the ceiling as well). With these additions, you can turn your tiny outdoor space into a great place for meditating and entertaining. Buzzfeed Life has a great list of 27 outdoor games that are cheap and easy to make — and many require very little space.
Room to Zen
So you’ve got some room out back? Great big outdoor spaces can be intimidating, but don’t let that stop you from carving out little a little Zen spot for relaxation and quiet time. The following DIY ideas are listed in order of skill level, from novice to expert. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family — offer them a good home-cooked meal that you can all enjoy in your new outside space.
Add a Zen garden. Zen gardens promote peace and positive thinking, and they’re easy to make. All that’s required is sand, a few natural features like rocks and plants are optional, and a rake. Pinterest abounds with ideas for every budget and style of Zen garden to get you raking away your stress in no time.
Swing away stress. There’s nothing like a backyard swing, and they are fairly easy to construct — most require nothing more than rope, recycled wood and a power drill. The Garden Glove blog has instructions for all sorts of DIY swings, from tire swings to DIY wooden pallet swings.
Go soak yourself. Tired, aching muscles and a busy mind will thank you for investing in a hot tub. The blog at IntheSwim.com features a hot tub buying guide broken down by budget to help you soak away your pains and tension.
Add a water feature. These are another popular addition to any tranquil setting. DIYCosyHome.com has a great collection of water features for every style aesthetic complete with instructions, difficulty level and cost.
Make a gazebo getaway. If your carpentry skills and budget allow, a full-blown gazebo is the ultimate escape. Source reclaimed wood through Craigslist to keep your carbon footprint low or buy a home-assembled gazebo kit if you’ve got a good track record with Ikea furniture.
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