How to Plan a Staycation at Home

Traveling to new destinations can be exciting, but sometimes all you may need to recharge is a thoughtfully planned staycation at home. With the help of some creativity and a few convenient home features and neighborhood amenities, you can be on your way to having a fun and rejuvenating vacation—no packing or plane tickets necessary!

Need a few ideas to get the planning started? We’re going room by room and sharing some of our favorite ways to turn your home (and community) into a dream destination!

The kitchen

• Book an at-home cooking class. Improve your culinary skills and try out new dishes with a virtual or in-person lesson from the comfort of your own kitchen. This can make a romantic experience for you and your significant other, or a fun activity for family and friends. Put those stainless-steel appliances and ample countertop space to good use!
• Prefer to have someone else do the cooking? Treat yourself to a private chef for the evening! Enjoy a gourmet meal without the stress of making a reservation.
• Go on a culinary journey. One benefit of traveling is being able to try cuisine from all over the world, but who says you can’t do the same at home? Host a potluck-style dinner party and encourage attendees to each bring a dish from a different country. Or, for a less-involved meal, try ordering something you’ve never tried before from your local takeout restaurant! You might be surprised to find a new favorite.

The living or great room

• Create an at-home theater experience. Turn on the ambient lighting, pop some popcorn (extra butter, please) and enjoy your own private movie theater. Throw on your favorite films or have a marathon centered around a particular theme, such as foreign language flicks or childhood classics.
• Unlock your competitive side with a game night. You could even incorporate several different games and make it into a tournament! Get the whole family involved and consider having small prizes available for the winners.

The bathroom

• If you’re eager for some serious relaxation on your staycation, be sure to plan a luxurious at-home spa day! Light a few scented candles, put on a calming playlist and gather everything you need for proper pampering. If your bathroom features a tub, you can utilize fizzy bath bombs or salts and take a long, tranquil soak. Additionally, the ample counter space of double sinks can provide plenty of room for DIY manicures or a skincare session.

Outdoor spaces

• Go backyard camping. This is a fun activity for the whole family and a great way to enjoy the outdoors from home! Roast marshmallows, tell spooky stories around the fire pit (or non-spooky tales for the little ones) and stargaze before bed.
• Sometimes, all you need is a little change of scenery to make a staycation feel special—bring your dinner out to the covered patio for an al fresco meal! If you’d also like to cook your meal outdoors, there are plenty of creative recipes to try out on the grill.

Flex spaces

• If your home happens to have some kind of bonus room, take advantage of the space by trying out a new hobby during your staycation. Pull out those art supplies that are tucked away in the loft and engage your creative side. Roll out a mat in your basement rec room and take a virtual yoga class. Or, sit down at your office desk to start that creative writing project you’ve been thinking about. The possibilities are endless!

Community amenities

• For some, no vacation is complete without time near the water. If this resonates with you and your neighborhood happens to feature a community pool, throw on your swimsuit and make a day out of it! Lounge in the sun with a light-hearted “beach” read or cool off in the water by practicing your butterfly stroke.
• Take a hike on local trails. Many of our communities feature miles of hiking and biking trails—perfect for exploring nature without going too far from home.
• Coordinate a sporting event with friends or neighbors. Engage in a friendly round of tennis, pickleball, basketball or golf, depending on the courts or fields your neighborhood offers. You’ll get in some physical activity and have fun while doing it!

Did you know? You can find neighborhoods with pools, trails, parks and more using our amenity search filters on RichmondAmerican.com!

Looking for a new home with the perfect features for your next staycation? Call 888.799.8322 or chat with a New Home Specialist online.