Sprucing Up Your Patio for Spring and Summer Can Make It a Welcoming Outdoor Oasis
Here Are 14 Ideas and Tips to Consider
It always happens at this time of year. Winter is either behind us or still trying to hang on in certain parts of the country. There is no question we’re all ready for spring, however your back, side or front patio may not be. So here are my helpful ideas to bring new life to your outdoor living space, because now is the time to do it.
TAKE CARE OF THE WINTER GRIME. Before you rush out and launch into a buying spree, take care of your patio by power washing or scrubbing with a long-handled brush and hose. If you can, move everything aside to maximize your cleaning effort. Having done this, now you can take stock of your patio space for the opportunities mentioned below.
ADD OUTDOOR SEATING. Patio furniture is expensive in today’s market, from old and tired pieces that need to be replaced to cushions that are looking sad and moldy and not something you want to sit on. We can’t all start with new furniture, so if your budget doesn’t allow for a shopping binge, then bring out the bucket, a scrub brush, a little dish soap and a small amount of Oxi-Clean. Put on your disposable gloves and go to work. It’s called repurposing. Clean it, rinse it and let it dry. You will be amazed how much better everything will look. I always follow up with a light coat of wax on my patio furniture whether it be wood or metal to bring out that extra special protective sheen. I’ve actually gone so far as to paint my furniture to bring it back to life, even using a fabric paint for sling cushions and chaise lounges.
If you decide to add a new patio set with a settee, chairs and a coffee table, my highly desired point of purchase is Joss & Main (www.jossandmain.com). Their furniture choices are endless and their quality and durability unmatched. Be sure to look for their sales which are “dyn-o-mite.” Next on the list would be your local home furniture store along with several big box stores like Lowes (www.lowes.com), Costco (www.costco.com) and Home Depot (www.homedepot.com). If you live in the Midwest, a great place to shop is Menards (www.menards.com) because they have everything you need to outfit your patio. One other store is Home Goods (www.homegoods.com), they carry some beautiful tables, chairs and patio pieces at great prices. Here’s the kicker, what you see on the floor is what they’ve got—if you love it, buy it before it’s gone because they don’t have any more in the back room.
INTRODUCE COLORFUL CUSHIONS AND PILLOWS. It’s amazing how much of an impact this one step can have on your patio, and it doesn’t have to cost a bundle. Outlet stores are filled with all shapes and sizes, along with colors and patterns all at bargain prices. Short of that you can always scrub your cushions and pillows using a soft brush and a light dash of clothing detergent. Midway through the drying process, be sure to turn them over so excess liquid can effectively drain out eliminating any leftover water stains.
If you find that you need to replace your cushions or pillows, check out Home Goods, Target (www.target.com), Sam’s Club (www.samsclub.com), Big Lots (www.biglots.com) (I found great Sunbrella cushions and pillows at Big Lots), Walmart (www.walmart.com), Amazon (www.amazon.com) and Wayfair (www.wayfair.com). I’m old school and like to check out the fabrics and colors first-hand, so I tend to buy by seeing and touching. Sunbrella (www.sunbrella.com) is my “go-to” fabric for sunny spaces because of its fade and weather resistance. It’s slightly more expensive but worth it in the long run. You can always go with a less expensive product if your space is covered or largely in the shade.
INSTALL OUTDOOR LIGHTING. There is just nothing better than enhancing the ambiance of your patio with outdoor lighting such as string lights, lanterns, or solar powered stake lights to create that warm and inviting atmosphere for evening gatherings. Where possible, solar is the way to go.
INSTALL DECKING OR FLOORING. If you have the space and budget, expand your patio with a deck. It can give you an entirely new dimension of outdoor living, and it’s just waiting to be filled with new furniture and accessories. My personal favorite because of its incredible durability in all kinds of weather conditions, is Trex (www.trex.com). According to the manufacturer it will not rot, warp, splinter, fade or stain nor become food for termites. However, it may require a seasonal staining or sealing to preserve it’s look.
Again, if your budget permits, another great alternative to spruce up your existing patio floor (especially if it’s concrete) is a product called thin brick veneer, found at Floor & Décor (www.flooranddecor.com) under the brand name Castle Gate Thin Brick and Glen-Gery Clay Thin Brick (www.glengery.com). The bricks are thinly cut, anywhere from ½” to 1” thick, and come as a premeasured set ready for installation. They give the appearance of three-dimensional brick with the same texture and wonderful look and feel. The bricks are normally smooth on the surface which makes them feel great under your bare feet.
ADD GREENERY AND CREATE A VERTICAL GARDEN. You probably already have them, and if so, clean up your existing plants and shrubs. And I have found you can always add more: potted plants, hanging baskets and, if you’re space limited, vertical gardens which are wall-mounted planters filled with colorful flowers or lush greenery to bring new-found life.
If you live in a more temperate part of the country, succulents are a highly desirable outdoor plant. The varieties are endless and they are “water-wise.” One other point worth mentioning, try to use mulch on top of your soil to help retain as much moisture as possible after watering. A great way to conserve.
ADD AN OUTDOOR RUG OR TWO. If you’ve never grounded your patio with outdoor, weatherproof rugs, you’ll be amazed how stunning your patio can look. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and designs. They are a brilliant way to tie in your color scheme, blending your outdoor and indoor living spaces. They are designed to mimic your indoor rug design trends. It’s an excellent way to break up several spaces, and I particularly like the natural fibers such as sisal and jute because they are incredibly durable. I finally purchased several new ones this past month to replace the old that I have had for over ten years. Believe it or not, they were just now beginning to fade.
INCORPORATE DECORATIVE ACCENTS. This is the fun part for me, and it’s different from outdoor art which I discuss below. This can be as simple as adding a colored tray, or a pot of flowers on your side tables. I use outdoor pottery garden stools for my little side tables as they add a pop of color and texture. Look around and see what pots, vases and pieces you can use. I weight down my vases with small rocks or marble to keep them from blowing over in the wind. Take a look at Home Goods, Marshalls (www.marshalls.com), T.J. Maxx (www.tjx.com), World Market (www.worldmarket.com) or your favorite nursery to find great outdoor decorations.
PROVIDE SHADE. Add an umbrella, they’re so functional and portable. I fell in love many years ago with the look of the canvas off-white patio umbrella. I used them for spring, summer and fall because it gave my patios an almost villa look and feel. Then I migrated to blue umbrellas (you definitely don’t want to use red during those hot summer months) because of their cool appearance. Be sure to go with Sunbrella fabric unless you want your blue to turn purple due to sun bleaching. Also, make certain you choose an umbrella with vents at the top, preferably three-tier venting for those windy days ahead. Some of the newer umbrellas come with a solar cap that produces lighting on the spines underneath giving a nice aura while sitting at your patio table during the evening hours.
A more complex and sophisticated look would be to add a pergola, a retractable shade or canopy. At our desert home we have a covered overhang extending from the back of the house out about 12 feet. It is perfect for shade, protection from the elements like rain and provides the look and feel of an extended living space. It’s our second living room and gets used about 8 months out of the year because we installed misters around the perimeter to cool down those hot summer days.
OUTDOOR COOKING AREA. Now here is where it can get really expensive but oh so functional. At the top of the list would be an outdoor kitchen or grilling station equipped with a barbeque grill, countertop space, a side burner and storage to enjoy cooking and dining al fresco. You need space and the cost can range, depending on the size and style, anywhere north of $5000.
To step it down a notch, portable grills are often the way to go. The styles and sizes are endless. I have two grills on my back patio: one is propane fueled and has side shelves and a side burner which I consider essential, the other is a wood fired grill that I use as a long-duration smoker giving that taste and scent of a real outdoor camping experience. These are portable and can be moved around to nicely fit your space. If you’re looking for an even smaller footprint, there are a number of great table-top choices both in gas and charcoal.
ADD A FIRE PIT OR OUTDOOR FIREPLACE. This is an extension of your patio and needs plenty of room for venting. It is delightful for those cooler evenings providing warmth, ambiance and a focal point for gathering. And don’t forget the smores.
INCORPORATE A WATER FEATURE. Enhance the tranquility of your patio with a fountain, pond, or waterfall. Depending on your budget, you can have one constructed or simply purchase free-standing units at your local big box store. We have hummingbirds that are year-round guests, and they just love to splash in the fountain.
HANG OUTDOOR ART. You can find weather resistant art or decorative pieces just about anywhere. I have purchased the majority of my outdoor art from Amazon including wall hangings and sculptures.
OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING. Now that you’ve created an outdoor oasis, don’t forget about the entertainment. Breakfast, lunch and dinner al fresco are all possible. Enjoy to the fullest.
That’s it, not really, but it’s a great start. Now get to it folks and make us proud of your stylish designs and treatments. Summer is fast approaching and it’s the perfect time to set your sights on this additional living space. At BoomerGal we’re all about creativity, inspiration and enhancing YOUR ULTIMATE LIFESTYLE. Now, give yourself a big pat on your back and enjoy your spring-summer!
