You are prepared to give your patio or balcony a shot of pre-summer freshening up because you have seen that the wisteria is blooming in a beautiful manner along the back fence, temps are gradually making their way up, and grilling season is oh, so close.
It is well worth the investment of time, a little bit of money, and some elbow grease to construct the patio of your dreams since there are few things in a hectic life that seem more luxurious than having breakfast on the patio, deck, or balcony on a beautiful spring or summer day.
This week, we take a look at five measures you can take to get your patio ready for the season of outdoor living.
1. Restore or replace?
Think about bringing back its former glory if the condition of your patio furniture isn’t too bad of a wreck at this point. Especially if the components are made of wood, it’s a do-it-yourself project that’s simple and won’t break the bank. Wicker and aluminum furniture are also excellent candidates for restoration, however, the process for doing so will require a few additional steps.
Use a wire brush or sandpaper to rid metal furniture of built-up grime and rust, thoroughly clean wicker furniture, and allow it to dry. Then, slap on some gorgeous paint.
The Wicker Woman walks you through the process of painting wicker furniture here. Restoring wood furniture is a snap and you can learn how at Today’s Homeowner.
Need to buy new patio furniture? You can find it at bargain prices at Craigslist.org.
2. Cushions?
There is no point in refurbishing the furniture if you intend to cover it with old cushions that are falling apart. Adding some new throw pillows or cushions will inject some new color and texture into the room. They do not have to be a strain on one’s financial resources either. Cushions can be purchased at reasonable prices from both Ikea and Walmart.
Prefer to shop online? Check Lowes.com, Amazon.com, or Overstock.com.
3. Provide some shade
Your patio will need a shady spot to escape the summer sun and there are several brilliant ways to provide it.
Suppose you have money to burn, check out retractable awnings that will cover your patio. Home Depot and Costco offer them. Read up on the pros and cons of retractable awnings at AngiesList.com.
If you’re on a budget, consider shade sails, which you can purchase at major home improvement stores or online at retailers such as Coolaroo. Even an inexpensive umbrella can provide shade for people and/or plants.
Need some inspiration? Check out these cool ideas on Pinterest.
4. Water and summer – the perfect pairing
Every patio oasis needs some sort of water feature. Waterfalls and fountains are the most popular and you don’t need an elaborate electrical and irrigation system to build one.
Many of today’s fountains are solar-powered, so you won’t need to perform a major electrical system hack to accommodate them either.
Check out the selection at wayfair.com.
Need inspiration? Find it on Pinterest.
5. Light it up
Is there anything better than al fresco dining? And, no, you don’t need to visit our high-end eateries to experience it.
Once your patio is whipped into shape, all you need to do is add lighting to provide the perfect ambiance.
Get ideas on pinterest.com, hgtv.com, and yardenvy.com.
If you live in a condo, the board may have restrictions on what you can do with your balcony or patio, so check with them before spending any money.
