12 Outdoor Adventures That Can Double as Home Improvement Projects
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Exploring the great outdoors is refreshing, but what if we could add the thrill of those projects to improving your home? It’s like hitting two birds with one stone: you get to enjoy nature and come back with tangible results that make your space better. These activities are both fun and functional, whether you’re seasoned DIYer or just a person who loves a little fresh air.
No more boring trips to the hardware store or hours wasted reading an instruction manual. The best thing about these outdoor adventures is that they spice up your to do list and turn home improvement into a weekend escape rather than a chore. Whether you’re gathering natural materials, or reimagining your backyard, you can find something here that works for you.
Build a Stone Pathway
Enjoy a hike in the local forest or park and turn it into a stone treasure hunt for some nice stones to make a pretty pathway. The best flat, smooth stones work best and you feel like you’re piecing together a giant outdoor puzzle. The bonus? Having a little pride with every step walking on a stone path you’ve built yourself. A well maintained pathway can boost your home’s curb appeal.
Construct a Fire Pit
If you have ever spent a day at the beach or a riverbank, you’ll know that you’ll most likely come across driftwood, stones, or sand. This is the best material for making a nice cozy fire pit in your backyard: the perfect addition to summer nights or roasting marshmallows on fall nights. A fire pit can become the heart of your outdoor living space, providing warmth and a sense of community.
Harvest Wildflowers For Natural Dye
When you gather wildflowers like marigolds or indigo plants during a nature hike, you add purpose to your nature hike. They’re great for dyeing fabrics like for cushions, curtains, or table runners and will bring a natural vibe to your home decor. Creating natural dyes can be a fun science experiment too, if you involve kids.
Plant a Living Fence
If you’re looking to create a living fence, you might find inspiration from a walk through wooded areas, or exploring native plant nurseries. To outline your yard, plant hardy shrubs such as lilac or holly. In addition to increasing privacy, this green barrier attracts local birds and pollinators, and brings life and color to your space.
Upcycle Fallen Branches
Fallen branches on parks or woodlands are often scattered after a windy day. But these can be turned into rustic curtain rods, a unique piece of furniture, or even a garden trellis. Look for sturdy, smooth ones, and sand them down until they’re polished. Upcycling, which means repurposing materials for new uses, also reduces waste and has environmental benefits, according to a ResearchGate study.
Build a Birdhouse or Feeder
A day spent watching local feathered friends is a good time for bird lovers to get inspired for a DIY bird house or feeder. Craft a snug haven for them using reclaimed wood or natural bark. Not only does a properly placed birdhouse make your garden look pretty, it also helps keep your local wildlife alive. Backyard feeders help sustain bird species in urban areas, according to the Audubon Society.
Create a Rain Barrel
Go to farm supply store or flea market and find old barrels or large container. With a little imagination, you can turn these into rain barrels, which collect and store water. This isn’t just an eco friendly solution, it can save you gallons of water during peak summer months.
Design a Rock Garden
There’s the possibility of scavenging rocks on a camping trip or a day by the river which results in a stunning rock garden. Use stones with succulents, drought resistant plants, for a low maintenance feature. Rock gardens can grow in almost any soil, and are a possibility for anybody.
Build a Compost Bin
Going to a farm visit or community garden often gives you ideas on living sustainably. You can make a compost bin out of a few pieces of scrap wood to recycle kitchen scraps and yard waste. Not only does this project lessen the contributions to the landfill, it also provides your garden with nutrient rich compost.
Construct a Trellis
After you’ve wandered through a vineyard or arboretum, you might be in the mood to construct a trellis. It’s a very simple structure that can be used for climbing plants such as roses, ivy, or even tomatoes. For a natural and cost effective option, use reclaimed wood or bamboo. Trellis adds height, elegance to gardens without taking up too much space.
Harvest and Dry Herbs
Harvesting and drying herbs such as lavender, rosemary, or sage can be a lovely addition to your home if you enjoy foraging or gardening. They can be used in wreaths, sachets, or as culinary additions. Not only are freshly dried herbs a delight to smell, they make a big difference in your pocketbook at the grocery store.
Create Outdoor Art
Pull inspiration from a day at the beach or a woodland retreat and make outdoor art. Wind chimes made from shells, driftwood sculptures or painted rocks can personalize your yard. This also adds character, and these pieces will actually become meaningful reminders of your adventures.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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