Make Your Outdoor Space Shine: Easy Steps for Summer Prep

The weather’s getting warmer and you can’t help but start thinking optimistically about enjoying your outdoor living spaces again.

But it’s been a rough winter. Your favorite outdoor retreat – whether it’s a porch, patio, deck, pergola or balcony – likely needs a good spring cleaning to get it ready for the season.

Spring is the perfect time to tackle seasonal outdoor maintenance. The leaves have fallen, snow has melted and the cooler weather keeps you comfortable while you undertake heavy-duty cleaning.

However, tidying a porch or patio can be a big job. Where do you start?

Christmas Central offers the following tips to help you prepare your outdoor spaces for summer.

Dirt, leaves, insects and whatever else might have been blowing around last winter have likely settled into the corners and crevices of your space. It’s time to gather your tools and clear them out.

A pressure washer, garden hose or soapy scrub brush are all good choices for cleaning a concrete pad or patio pavers. However, these might be too harsh for painted or stained surfaces. Consider a broom or leaf blower for decks, porches and surfaces that require gentler care.

Trim back plants that infringe on your space. This includes any branches that hang low over walkways or seating areas, or plants that obstruct sight lines. Pull out weeds and grass growing between flagstones.

While attractive when first laid, pea gravel can collect debris and dirt. In damp areas, light-colored gravel may develop algae.

Cleaning dirty pea gravel can be a chore. You can generally blow away leaves, twigs and refuse lying on top of your pea gravel using a variable-level leaf blower set on low.

What if your gravel is dirty or has turned green? You can try hosing it down, but a powerful water stream could displace your gravel. A more effective but time-consuming method involves using a soil sifter or an old wheelbarrow with holes drilled into the bottom to sift and hose away dirt.

While you’re removing debris, dead bugs, cobwebs and leaves, examine surfaces for problems that need to be addressed.

Replace warped deck boards, rotting wood and loose or protruding nails. Fill cracks in concrete and level sinking or heaved pavers. Straighten edging and refresh pea gravel. Touch up peeling porch paint and restain the deck, if necessary. Make sure any footpaths leading to your outdoor area are level and well-lit.

It’s also a good time to evaluate your patio furniture. Bright spring sunlight has a way of making the furniture you put away last fall look worn and weary.

You can scrub away grime and mildew, but chipped paint, scratched finishes, cracked plastic and faded cushions will make your furniture appear sadly dated. Take the time to repair what you can.

A touch-up with weather-resistant spray paint can do wonders to refresh some types of outdoor furniture. In addition, new patio cushions in an updated design or color can breathe new life and energy into your outdoor retreat.

Replace anything that is just plain broken or past its useful life. 

When you’re sitting on your patio, you want your surroundings to look good, too. On porches and patios that adjoin your home, wash the windows, doors, window screens, blinds and privacy screens.

Don’t forget to clean off the grill, fire pit and any other outdoor accessories.

Gardening and weeding also go a long way to improving the view.

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You can set out your patio furniture and call it a day, but part of the fun of having an outdoor living space is making it your own personal backyard oasis. Consider what things you can do to define the space’s personality and enhance its beauty and usefulness.

Liven up the space with planters full of flowers or greenery.

Hang patio lights and set flameless lanterns on tables and railings for a warm glow that lengthens your enjoyment of those long summer nights.

For added comfort and color, toss in a few outdoor throw pillows and blankets, as well as an outdoor patio rug. An outdoor rug helps define spaces like conversation and eating areas and also keeps things comfortable underfoot.

Take time to dream a little. What would make your outdoor space even more perfect? Spring is the best time to find sales on patio furniture sets and accessories.

The types of improvements you can make to your outdoor room are nearly endless. While some things on your wish list may currently be out of reach, other additions could well be within your budget this year.

If you have children or a swimming pool – or both! – avoid unsightly clutter and make backyard storage a priority. Woven baskets can hold throw blankets or corral small toys. For larger items like pool floats, or items that require protection from the weather, like seat cushions, consider a waterproof storage shed. Some deck boxes can also serve as bench seating.

If entertaining is your ultimate goal, consider adding a bar cart, grill, outdoor pizza oven, fire pit or an entire outdoor kitchen. Pump up the music with an outdoor sound system or host tailgate parties around your new TV.

Patio lights are perfect for lighting an outdoor space after dark, but for true elegance, hang pendant lights, lanterns or even a repurposed chandelier.

Ready to relax? Introduce a cozy lounge chair to your patio set. Side tables are convenient for setting down drinks, serving snacks and as a drop spot for phones, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Make a shade upgrade with a new pergola, sail shade, patio umbrella or retractable awning.

Set the mood with garden statues that suit your personality and add a zen touch with wind chimes or a soothing garden fountain.

Getting your outdoor patio or porch ready for warm weather enjoyment is part perspiration, part exhilaration!

With a little elbow grease, some vision and planning, you can create an outdoor oasis that reflects your design style and lifestyle, one that can adapt to your changing tastes and needs and expand as your budget allows.

A garden fountain can turn an ordinary outdoor space into a relaxing retreat, but choosing the right fountain takes a little thought. A few practical considerations can help you find the right fountain for your yard.

Style: Outdoor fountains come in everything from classic tiered designs to sleek, modern shapes. Choose a style that complements your home and garden so the fountain complements the landscape.

Size: Think about both height and footprint. A large water fountain can become a dramatic focal point, while a smaller pedestal or tabletop fountain works well in compact patios or tucked-away corners.

Materials: Stone, resin, ceramic and metal all have different looks and levels of durability. Heavier materials offer stability outdoors, while lightweight resin options are easier to move and maintain.

Power Source: Most fountains use electric pumps, but some solar-powered models are available. Consider where outlets are located and how visible cords will be.

Lighting: Built-in lights can add soft illumination and keep your fountain looking beautiful after sunset.

With the right balance of style and practicality, a garden fountain can become a soothing centerpiece for your outdoor space.