Tackling Projects Big and Small with Summer Home Improvements
Summer has always been my favourite time for home improvements. There’s something about the longer days and warmer weather that makes even the most daunting DIY projects feel achievable. This year, with our two-year-old daughter becoming increasingly mobile and curious about everything we do, Steve and I have been particularly strategic about which improvements to tackle during the summer months.
Whether you’re planning major renovations or simply want to refresh your space with smaller updates, summer offers the perfect opportunity to enhance your home. Here are some projects we’re considering this year, along with practical ideas that any homeowner can implement.
Energy Efficiency: Starting from the Top
One of the most impactful improvements you can make to your home is often one of the least visible. Proper insulation not only reduces energy bills but also makes your home more comfortable year-round. We’ve been researching loft insulation roll options from Nationwide Supplies, as our house could definitely benefit from better thermal efficiency.
The beauty of loft insulation is that it’s a project many homeowners can tackle themselves during the summer months when the loft space is more bearable to work in. Steve’s been eyeing this project for months, and with our daughter now napping more predictably, we finally have the time blocks needed to get it done properly.
If you’re considering loft insulation, summer is ideal because:
- The space is warmer and more comfortable to work in
- You won’t need heating immediately, so you can take your time
- Any dust or debris won’t affect your winter heating system
- You’ll see the benefits immediately when the weather turns cooler
Outdoor Living Spaces: Extending Your Home
With a toddler who loves being outdoors, we’ve become increasingly focused on making our garden and patio areas more functional. This summer, we’re planning to create distinct zones in our outdoor space – a dining area for family meals, a play zone for our daughter, and a quiet corner where Steve and I can actually finish a cup of tea in peace.
Some outdoor improvements we’re considering include:
Decking and Patio Updates
Our existing patio could use some attention. We’re looking at pressure washing equipment to give it a thorough clean, and potentially adding some decorative elements. For families with young children, non-slip treatments are essential – something I learned the hard way after our daughter took a tumble on wet decking last summer.
Garden Storage Solutions
With a toddler comes an abundance of outdoor toys, gardening tools, and seasonal equipment. We’re planning to install a new garden shed this summer, which will help us reclaim some space in our garage. The key is choosing something that’s both functional and attractive enough not to become an eyesore.
Lighting for Extended Evenings
Solar garden lights have come such a long way in recent years. We’re planning to install pathway lighting and some ambient lighting around our seating areas. It’s a relatively simple project that makes a huge difference to how much we use our outdoor space during summer evenings.
Interior Refreshes: Small Changes, Big Impact
Not all summer improvements need to involve power tools and building supplies. Some of the most effective updates are surprisingly simple and can be completed in a weekend.
Paint Projects
We’re planning to refresh our daughter’s nursery this summer as she transitions to a proper toddler room. The open windows and good ventilation make summer ideal for painting projects. We’re looking at low-VOC paints that are safer for children’s rooms and dry more quickly in the warm weather.
For anyone considering interior painting, summer offers several advantages:
- Better ventilation means faster drying times
- Natural light helps you see true colours
- You can keep windows open without worrying about heating costs
- It’s easier to move furniture outside temporarily
Flooring Updates
We’ve been considering replacing the carpet in our living room with something more toddler-friendly. Luxury vinyl planks or laminate flooring are much easier to clean when you’re dealing with spilled juice and muddy footprints. Summer installation means we can keep windows open for ventilation and won’t need to worry about heating the space while the floor settles.
Bathroom and Kitchen Improvements
These rooms often require the most planning, but summer provides ideal conditions for major updates.
Bathroom Ventilation
Poor bathroom ventilation has been an ongoing issue in our house, particularly during winter months. This summer, Steve’s planning to upgrade our extractor fan and possibly add a small window if the budget allows. The warm weather means we can leave the bathroom door open during installation without making the rest of the house cold.
Kitchen Backsplash
I’ve been dreaming of updating our kitchen backsplash for ages. It’s one of those projects that seems daunting but can actually be quite manageable. With our daughter now old enough to spend time with grandparents for a weekend, we’re finally planning to tackle this project. Peel-and-stick tiles have improved dramatically and offer a budget-friendly option that even novice DIYers can handle.
Safety and Child-Proofing Updates
With an increasingly adventurous two-year-old, safety improvements have become a priority. Summer is perfect for these updates because you can work on them during naptime or after bedtime without worrying about heating and lighting costs.
Projects we’re tackling include:
- Installing additional stair gates
- Securing furniture to walls
- Adding soft-close hinges to kitchen cabinets
- Installing window restrictors
- Updating smoke detector batteries and testing systems
Planning and Preparation Tips
Having learned from previous summer projects (some more successful than others!), here are my top tips for summer home improvements:
Start Early in the Day
Begin projects early in the morning when it’s cooler and you have more energy. This is especially important for loft work or any projects in unventilated spaces.
Plan Around Family Life
With a toddler, we’ve learned to break projects into smaller chunks. Rather than trying to complete everything in one weekend, we plan projects that can be done in 2-3 hour blocks during nap times or after bedtime.
Stock Up on Supplies
Nothing’s more frustrating than having to stop a project halfway through because you’ve run out of materials. We always buy 10-15% more than we think we’ll need, particularly for items like paint, tiles, or insulation materials.
Consider Professional Help
Some projects are definitely worth hiring professionals for, especially electrical work or anything involving structural changes. We’ve learned that the money saved by DIY isn’t worth it if the job isn’t done safely or correctly.
Budget-Friendly Summer Updates
Not every improvement needs to break the bank. Some of our most effective updates have cost less than £50:
- Updating cabinet hardware in the kitchen
- Adding plants and planters to outdoor spaces
- Installing new light fixtures
- Refreshing grout in bathrooms
- Adding mirrors to make spaces feel larger
- Organising and decluttering storage areas
Looking Ahead
As we plan our summer improvements, I’m reminded that the best projects are those that genuinely improve how we live in our space. With a young family, functionality often trumps aesthetics, but there’s no reason we can’t have both.
Whether you’re tackling major renovations or simple updates, summer provides the perfect opportunity to enhance your home. The key is to start with a realistic plan, prioritise projects that will have the biggest impact on your daily life, and remember that even small changes can make a significant difference.
What home improvements are you planning this summer? I’d love to hear about your projects and any tips you’ve discovered along the way!
