August Bank Holiday at Home: Simple Ways to Make the Most of the Long Weekend
The August Bank Holiday is one of the last long weekends of summer, and you don't need an elaborate trip away to make the most of it.
Whether the forecast brings sunshine, showers or a little of both, a three-day weekend is a great opportunity to enjoy the garden, tackle a few jobs around the house and spend some extra time with family.
At Nurvale, we're all about practical products that make everyday life that little bit easier. Here are some simple ways to make the most of the Bank Holiday weekend at home.
1. Get the garden ready – whatever the weather
British Bank Holiday weather can be unpredictable, but that doesn't mean the garden has to be off limits.
A little preparation can make outdoor spaces much easier to enjoy. Tidying the patio, giving plants some attention and getting garden furniture ready can transform the space without turning the weekend into a major project.
A good garden hose makes quick work of watering and cleaning jobs — take a look at the Ambassador 10m Garden Hose Set or the Hozelock Superhoze Expanding Hose Set for a practical option that's easy to store.
And when temperatures start to drop later in the day, an outdoor patio heater can help make the patio more comfortable for a little longer.
The idea isn't to spend the entire Bank Holiday working. Get the essential jobs done, then enjoy the space you've created.
2. Give your outdoor furniture some attention
After a busy summer, garden furniture can benefit from a quick clean and tidy.
Remove leaves and debris, wipe down tables and chairs and check furniture that has been exposed to the elements. If rain is forecast, using suitable outdoor covers can also save you from repeatedly drying everything afterwards.
Even something as simple as reorganising your seating area — perhaps adding a parasol for shade — can make the garden feel refreshed without buying an entirely new furniture set.
3. Create a cosy spot outdoors
Summer may be approaching its final weeks, but that doesn't mean evenings in the garden have to end.
Create a comfortable corner with seating, warm drinks and suitable outdoor lighting. Our GardenKraft Party Bulb Lights and Solar String Lights are simple ways to add atmosphere to any outdoor space.
If the temperature drops, a Tepro Electric Patio Heater or the Tepro Monterey Table Heater can add extra warmth and help extend the amount of time you can comfortably spend outside.
And if the weather doesn't cooperate? Move the gathering indoors and enjoy the same relaxed Bank Holiday atmosphere.
4. Don't forget the garden wildlife
Your garden isn't only for people.
Keeping bird-feeding areas stocked is a simple way to encourage more wildlife into your outdoor space. Earthy Sustainable Suet Ball Feeders and Suet Cake Feeders can provide a convenient food source for garden birds, while the Ambassador Deluxe Nut & Suet Pellet Feeder positioned where it can be easily observed makes birdwatching enjoyable for the whole family.
It can be an especially nice Bank Holiday activity with children — seeing how many different garden visitors they can spot throughout the day.
5. Tackle one small home organisation project
A long weekend can also be the perfect opportunity to tackle one of those jobs you've been putting off — but there's no need to spend all three days reorganising the house.
Choose one area. It could be the garage, kitchen cupboard, children's craft supplies, utility area or garden shed.
Storage boxes and organisers can make a surprisingly big difference, particularly as households start preparing for the return to school and the change of season.
A couple of hours spent organising now could make September considerably easier.
6. Start preparing for the back-to-school routine
With September approaching, the Bank Holiday weekend is also a useful time to get ahead of the back-to-school rush.
Check lunch bags, food containers and bottles, organise stationery and identify anything that needs replacing before the first school morning arrives.
Doing the preparation gradually over the long weekend is much easier than discovering everything that's missing the night before school starts.
7. Make time to actually enjoy the weekend
It's tempting to turn a three-day weekend into a giant to-do list.
Don't.
Choose a handful of useful jobs and leave plenty of time for everything else.
Have lunch together. Spend some time in the garden. Go for a walk between the showers. Cook something you wouldn't normally have time to make. Let the children help with a small gardening project.
Sometimes the best Bank Holiday plans are the simplest ones.
Everything you need. All in one place.
Whether you're preparing the garden, protecting outdoor furniture, getting organised for September or simply stocking up on useful household essentials, you'll find products for everyday home and garden life at Nurvale.
Explore our Garden & Outdoor, Storage & Organisation and Kitchen & Dining ranges — all in one place at Nurvale.co.uk.
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