Spring has sprungity sprung sprung—I know, the official start to spring was eons ago, but it feels like the weather has finally decided to catch up—and summer is just around the corner. As the temperature rises, a strange phenomenon takes hold of people: the need to take all things outside and do some outdoor living.

Brunch happens in the garden, dinner happens on the patio, washing happens in the outdoor shower and napping happens in the hammock. Oh, glorious sunshine! It seems the only thing that we continue to do inside, most likely because we feel like we have to, is get a good night’s rest. But what if someone moved the mattress outside? The perfect midsummer’s night dream with an outdoor bed is just a little imagination away!

From the practical to the fantastical, these whimsical outdoor boudoirs could be just what the doctor prescribed for your spring fever. Let these gorgeous photographs jumpstart your imagination, then move on to our tips for functional-izing your vision.

Seek shelter.

The biggest concern involved in taking it outside is the elements. It would be very unfortunate if your mattress and linens got a thorough soaking in a storm. So, eliminate the rain factor by finding a covered area for your bed. A screened-in or roofed-in porch, a fanciful tent or a pergola all would do the trick.

Go versatile.

You can also incorporate your outdoor bed into your existing décor by dressing it up as a daybed. Or, go for a stripped-down approach to minimize the risk of damage to your bedding; use linens sparingly, a throw pillow here a quilt there, and add extra accoutrements on the clear nights you want to sleep under the stars.

The idea of hauling a mattress to the great outdoors may seem daunting, but I imagine the rewards far outweigh the inconvenience. One perfectly cozy mattress + a bottle of red wine or some tea + the sky’s velvety canvas of stars sounds like a waking dream—one soon to be followed by an actual dream.