The country is slowly starting to reopen, but let’s not forget we’re still living in a pandemic — and staying home is the best way to keep ourselves safe.

And if you and your loved ones are going stir-crazy after being cooped up in the house for months, a change of scenery would help you feel a little better. But are you ready to go out yet? Well, if you can't leave the house, there are plenty of ways you can bring newness to your space and create the perfect 'staycation'.

Now that our traveling plans have been put on hold due to novel coronavirus, planning a staycation is a good way to create memories for time to come and allow for self-care.

We tell you how you can turn your home into a stellar escape from your regular routine. Read on...

1.       Upgrade your outdoor space with cafe lights

What’s not to love about café lights? They are inexpensive, easy & quick to install and intensely satisfying!

Use some string lights to create a starry-night effect. 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 mason jars with battery-operated or solar string lights around the backyard.

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.

2.       Turn your backyard into an oasis

Think beyond lawn chairs and bistro sets. Whether you want to spend a few thousand bucks on a barbeque or go all out and make yourself an above-ground pool, there are plenty of ways to turn your backyard or patio into an outdoor oasis.

You can put an inflatable pool, add volleyball net, fire pit, or create an outdoor living space with bricked-in gas grills & bars (depending on the climate where you live). Each of these can provide the feeling of being at a resort without leaving home. If you can’t afford the granite bar of your dreams, opt for an outdoor bar cart — you’ll still get a vacation vibe without blowing your budget.

3.       Escape into nature

Connecting with nature is an essential part of regulating our nervous system. It can help with the stir-craziness many have experienced during the lockdown period.

Whether you’re working with a small patio or a full yard, adding more plants to the space can increase your home’s Zen factor on a staycation, or even as you unwind at the end of each day. Involve the kids by creating a sensory garden where they can explore and play.

4.       Rearrange the furniture or swap rooms

For most people, changing home décor means repainting the whole house, but in the time of coronavirus, this idea won’t be feasible enough. If you’re not ready to commit to a new paint color, small changes to the scenery can make a big difference and make you feel good.

 

Move around your living room furniture to set it up for a movie night. If you have a guest room, go sleep in it. Prep the guest room just like you would for a guest, with your fluffiest towels, fresh flowers, fragrances, maybe add some vacation snacks.

 

If you don’t have a spare room, trade rooms with other family members for the day, or go “camping” in the living room. Order ‘room service’ from Zomato, then stay under the covers or in your pajamas all day.

5.       Create a game room

For a rainy-day staycation, transform a room or corner of your house into a game room. Now is a good time to create game room areas – you outfit them with board-game tables or full video-game setups, with large, high-def TVs.

 

If you don’t have the space for a dedicated game room, pull out your biggest blankets and sheets and make a good old-fashioned fort over the sofa and coffee table. You can relax with some feel-good movies or do some crafts with your children, for some bonding time.

6.       Plan a getaway for each of your senses

Don’t get hung up on the fact that you can’t leave your house. Instead, create a staycation that satisfies all of the senses—or at least some of them, if you have to be choosy.

 

For touch, pull out the plushiest pillows, softest blankets you have, and put fresh sheets on the bed.

 

For smell, put on an essential oil diffuser, light up a candle, or use a bath bomb to infuse a pleasant scent. To create a soothing staycation soundtrack, play the sound of a thunderstorm. Then turn off the lights and imagine yourself in a hillside cabin.

 

For sight, declutter the room to reduce stress.

 

And of course, don’t forget about your taste buds. When it comes to food, vacations are often about indulgence, so buy the best wine you can get your hands on or order food to be delivered, but make it food you would normally only have on vacation. Handmade ice cream, anyone?