Water has soothing, cooling effects no matter what form it takes, and a water feature can be added to your property at surprisingly little cost. Preformed plastic pond shells are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Alternately, a hole can be dug in your landscape, then lined with sand and a heavy plastic pool liner. Once installed, you may want to add fish; a small, submersible pump to create a fountain or waterfall; or water plants such as lilies.

If you’ll be using your outdoor cool spots for nighttime entertaining, be sure to include lighting features for added ambiance. Low-voltage lighting systems are an easy and cost-effective way to light up your nights. Plus, citronella candles or torches can be used to keep pesky mosquitoes away while adding a pleasing glow to your property.