How to make staying at home feel like a holiday

Eight weeks into lockdown, we're all starting to tire of our own four walls. So try some nifty ideas to make this long weekend feel like the holiday it could be.

Andrew Montgomery

Serve some cocktails

Nothing says 'holiday mode' like a well-mixed cocktail by the pool. Now, we may not be able to be poolside with a bartender serving us, but you can take a look at the best cocktail recipes, gather some ingredients and make something refreshing to remind you of holidays past and those to come.

Create an outdoor cinema

The weather is warm enough to while away an evening al fresco, so if you have the space, how about creating a cinema of sorts in your garden? It's surprisingly simple and not as technical as you may think. Read our guide on how to create an outdoor cinema in your garden and get the snacks lined up.

Have a picnic

Following the latest UK lockdown guidance, we are now allowed to have picnics in the great outdoors, from windswept beaches to our local parks. Those are all lovely options but they are likely to be a tad busier than you might feel comfortable with. If you have an outdoor space, make an occasion out of having a picnic at home. Set up a picnic blanket and your best picnic recipes, prop up a pretty parasol and take whatever accessories you have lying around that will make your garden feel like another world. It's like traveling, but without any people around, so a double win in our books.

Update your bed linen

It may seem trivial but something that is always such a treat about staying in a nice hotel is the bed linen. You cannot beat crisp, fresh sheets so why not treat yourself and pretend you're in a five star hotel in Rome rather than your own bed?

Get a delivery

Endless cooking and washing up is a sure fire way to remind you that you're at home and not having your every whim catered to by brilliant hotel staff. So take a night off, put your feet up and order a takeaway from your favourite London restaurant. There are many excellent places doing delivery, rather than a sad Deliveroo deal like normal. These are some that we've been enjoying while we wait for restaurants to reopen.

Make yourself an Aperol Spritz

Simple, but effective. An Aperol Spritz will always make us think of Italian summers, pub gardens and long, hot days.

Revisit your holiday purchases

Since lockdown began and travel plans were halted, our Travel Editor - who is usually to be found in some far-flung, fabulous location - took matters into her own hands. She decided that if she couldn't travel physically, she would remember all her most memorable trips by documenting the unique pieces she's collected from around the world along the way, calling it 'Journeys round my home' on Instagram. Follow suit and revisit places you've been before by rediscovering pieces around your own home.

Build yourself a pool

OK this one may be quite extreme, but if you have the means and the space, we have the swimming pool designs to inspire you. Having your own swimming pool and being able to take a dip on a hot day is the ultimate luxury, and sure to make any day feel like a holiday in lockdown. If it's not an option, go wild swimming instead or get a paddling pool on your next shopping trip.

Set up a tent in the garden

You never know, it could be fun. Fire up your outdoor cooking gear and check out our camping recipes for something to eat before you inevitably end up toasting marshmallows on the coals.