Sign up to get new listings emailed daily! JOIN SIGN IN
Thomas Simonsen, Metrowide Team
REALTOR®, GRI, CRS, CSS, E-Certified, Broker
Facebook Icon LinkedIn Icon YouTube Icon Twitter Icon 
Thomas Simonsen Minnesota and Wisconsin Real Estate

Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.




rss logo RSS Feed
Alexandria, MN | 9 Posts
Bloomington, MN | 1 Posts
Brainerd, MN | 1 Posts
Buy a Home | 39 Posts
Edina, MN | 1 Posts
Home Improvement | 25 Posts
Homeownership | 59 Posts
Minneapolis, MN | 30 Posts
Saint Paul MN | 14 Posts
Sell a House | 17 Posts
Sell Your Home | 20 Posts
Twin Cities | 154 Posts
Uncategorized | 1 Posts
Wayzata, MN | 1 Posts
July
27

Staycation - Homeowners - Counselor Realty

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are planning a staycation this summer. Mixing things up and making some changes can be an adventure, especially if you're in the market for a new place and checking out Minneapolis homes for sale. An affordable, easy way to make your staycation more enjoyable is to get creative in your back yard. Whether you're looking at St. Paul homes for sale or staying put, these five fun ideas can make you feel like you're miles away.

  1. Make it Comfy
    If you plan to spend a lot of time outside, having someplace comfortable to relax is key. If you already have outdoor furniture, brighten it up with some new cushions or pillows. Throwing an outdoor rug or two on the patio will also add a homey touch that can make your yard feel like an extra room for lounging. A hammock is the perfect place to read or take a nap while dreaming of warm, beachy breezes.

  2. Try Backyard Camping
    Setting up a tent and investing in a fire pit can transform your yard into a cool campground. Making s'mores and sitting around the fire telling ghost stories creates memories the whole family will cherish. Kids love hanging out in tents, so don't hesitate to leave it up for a while to let them enjoy. It's also a great place for adults to escape to take a quick snooze or settle in with a good book.

  3. Get Creative with String Lights
    Lights are an inexpensive way to create a warm glow in your back yard. The selection of solar and plug-in lights is endless these days. Putting up a string or two of lights shaped like stars, fairies, or other fun shapes can give your yard a whimsical feel that transports you to another world. Stringing lights among the trees, along the fence, and the edges of the porch will not only illuminate your yard with soft light, it'll make you want to sit outside way past when the real stars come out.

  4. Do a Movie Night
    Setting up a mini-outdoor theater in your back yard is easier than you think. Buying or renting a projector is affordable, and most can stream movies and shows from Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming services. Depending on the texture and color of your home's exterior, you may be able to project the movie right onto the house. Pop some popcorn, get out the candy, and enjoy!

  5. Get into Games
    Setting up mini golf, bowling, and croquet are easy and fun for the whole family. If you're all about DIY, making a cornhole board only takes a few pieces of plywood and some bean bags. Getting the kids involved in painting it is a blast, too. It's also simple to create a ring toss game with a few glass bottles and a six-pack holder. If your family's into board games, check into lawn scrabble, checkers, and other games made on a grand scale that's especially for playing outside. Twister's a fun one to attempt on the grass, too.

Need more ideas to turn your yard into a staycation oasis or want to learn more about buying a home in Minneapolis-St. Paul? Our experienced real estate professionals can help you find the home of your dreams. Call today to get started.



By searching Listing Data you agree to this End User License Agreement

Copyright 2026 Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc. All rights reserved.

Terms of Use

Agency License Information: Counselor Realty, Inc. is licensed in Minnesota and Wisconsin; Counselor Realty, Inc. of Alexandria is licensed in Minnesota; Counselor Realty Detroit Lakes, LLC is licensed in Minnesota; Counselor Realty of Rochester is licensed in Minnesota; Counselor Realty of Victoria, LLC is licensed in Minnesota; Counselor Realty of Brainerd is licensed in Minnesota.

Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 03/06/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 03/06/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Fri 03/06/2026 3:09:18 AM EST) or RMLS-MN MLS (last updated Fri 03/06/2026 12:02:34 AM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Counselor Realty may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.



STATE OF LICENSURE: MINNESOTA

Privacy Policy / DMCA Notice / ADA Accessibility


Agent License Information: Minnesota Broker License #20096468 Wisconsin Brokers License #51024-90

Login to My Homefinder

Pixel