Travel Plans on Hold? 9 Ways To Create a Stellar ‘Staycation’ at Home

The country is starting to reopen, but we’re still living in a pandemic—and the CDC’s official guidance is that staying home is the best way to keep yourself and others safe.

But after months of being cooped up at home, you and your loved ones may be dealing with a serious case of cabin fever.

If you’re desperate for a change of scenery but not ready to leave home, there are plenty of ways to add novelty to your space and create an appealing “staycation.”

“With less traveling occurring due to the coronavirus, planning a staycation is an ideal way to create memories and allow for self-care,” says Jessica Salomone, owner and principal interior designer at Lotus + Lilac Design Studio.

We talked to experts about what you can do—on any budget—to turn your home into an escape from your usual routine. Check out these clever ideas.

1. Upgrade your outdoor space with cafe lights

Photo by Flores Artscape 
Quick, inexpensive, and instantly gratifying: What’s not to love about café lights?

“Use some string lights to create a starry-night effect,” says Hope Teel, an agent with Re/Max Posh Properties in Austin, TX. “String them along the fence line, through the trees, or around the perimeter of your porch, and your evenings outside will have a totally different feel.”

You can take your lighting to the next level by adding a few glass jars with battery-operated or solar string lights around the yard.

“This little touch is always a hit with kids, especially if you create a story around it for them, like telling them it is where the fairies live,” Teel says.

2. Plan a theme night

If you’re bored with board games, and you’ve watched everything in your Netflix queue, mix it up with a theme night.

Each week, task a different member of the household with choosing the theme, then plan your menu, outfits, and décor accordingly.

“Don’t be afraid to decorate, dress up, or to do things you normally wouldn’t,” Teel says.

“You can tour the museums of Rome from your couch, have the kids take the virtual rides of Disney World online, take an online cooking class to make that delicious homemade Italian pasta dish you can’t get out of your head. Think outside the box.”

3. Turn your backyard into an oasis

Photo by Shehan Pools 
Think beyond lawn chairs and bistro sets. Whether you want to spend $50 on a basic fire pit, or thousands of dollars on an above-ground pool, there are plenty of ways to turn your yard or patio into an outdoor oasis.

“Folks are putting in pools, adding sandpits and volleyball nets, fire pits, and creating outdoor living space with bricked-in gas grills and bars,” says Christopher Arienti, broker/owner at Re/Max Executive Realty in Massachusetts.

“Each of these can provide the feeling of being at a resort without leaving home.”

If you can’t afford the in-ground pool or granite bar of your dreams, opt for an inflatable pool or an outdoor bar cart—you’ll still get a vacation vibe without blowing…