If you’re someone who enjoys getting out into the yard during the summer months to build or landscape, you certainly aren’t alone. Even though it may be a little too hot to do much entertaining in the late summer months, there are things you can do now that will make early fall even more enjoyable for you, your family, and your guests.

Build a Firepit

Firepits are some of the most coveted outdoor features for 2018, and for good reason, too. Not only do they add a sense of overall comfort, but as summer winds down and the night air starts to become chilly, they can keep you and your guests warm, too. Your firepit can be as small and simple or as large and intricate as you choose but be sure that you think about fire safety and build your firepit up to your city’s fire code. It won’t be long before you’re roasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories with the kids or enjoying a mug of delicious warm cider by the fire with your friends.

Create an Outdoor Shower

Outdoor showers serve many purposes, particularly if you have a pool. Believe it or not, your outdoor shower doesn’t have to be a permanent installation, so if you don’t have a plumbing license, there’s no need to worry. One idea involves wrapping a hose around a tree or a clothesline pole, securing it firmly, then attaching a showerhead. That’s all it takes to build an outdoor shower for rinsing off after a dip in the pool or a day of making mud pies in the back yard.

Renovate the Deck

A deck is a coveted feature, especially in the late spring and early fall. They provide the perfect stage for entertaining, but only when they are in good condition. You can stain the deck in a single weekend. Before getting started, clean the deck well and be sure to sand it down very carefully. Then, consider a high-quality stain followed by a weather sealant, or choose a tinted sealant to save yourself a few steps.

Create a Living Space

If you’ve ever wanted to take your favorite book, a glass of wine, and a snack outside to lounge, read, and enjoy the day, but you just don’t have the proper outdoor living space, there’s no time like the present to create one. All you need is one small corner of your yard or deck – preferably in the shade – and some creativity. Ideas include utilizing an outdoor futon frame and mattress to create seating, adding some padding and color to your favorite weather-treated Adirondack chairs, and even building a table with pallets rescued from a local manufacturing facility. Don’t forget to add a few potted plants to round it all out.

Make Your Own Play Space

If you have young children or grandchildren, or if you often entertain friends who do, you can’t go wrong with creating a whimsical play space that is sure to entertain. You might opt to use fume-free spray paint to create a game of Twister on the lawn, hang a white sheet on the side of your house and use your newly-created living space to watch a movie via a projector, or even build a treehouse complete with a working window and door. The possibilities are endless here.

The end of summer is near, and that means it’s time for changing leaves, cool breezes, and a hoodie sporting your favorite team’s logo. These five summertime projects will ensure that you, your family, and your guests will get even more use and entertainment from your backyard.