Daily Dose of Design: 5 Ways to Get Your Patio Summer Ready

Monday, June 20, 2016

5 Ways to Get Your Patio Summer Ready


Happy first day of Summer 2016!!!
Summer officially starts today (!!!) and along with the fun that comes with summer, the hard work comes too. This past Saturday we spent the entire day working outside. It was hot, my feet were burning by bed time and I was not a happy camper, but man was it worth it! From 10 AM to 7 PM, it was work work work and after a long winter, the patio(s) definitely need it. We are actually pretty lucky with a mild winter so it could have been worse, but when you have lots of space to get ready for summer entertaining, it takes a load of work.

Seeing how nice everything turned out today really made me realize how worth it the hard work was. I love summer entertaining and decorating for the season, so deep cleaning is the number one step. Whether you have a big space or small patio, the cleaning process is pretty much the same. While it'll take many trips to Home Depot and lots of cold water, one day of work lets you enjoy a season long of fun! I feel like a pro (kinda kidding ;) when it comes to outdoor cleaning now, so here are some tips to help clean your outdoor space:


1. Deep clean first. A little pressure washing can go a long way; if you don't own one, you can rent one for the day from places like Loews or Home Depot. It's amazing what a difference a pressure washer can make on anything - we pressure washed the deck, lower patio, trampoline and even any furniture that needed it. It takes a lot of time and strength and I won't lie, it kills your back... but the end result is SO worth it when you see that your deck looks brand new. The dirt and gunk that built up over the winter is naaaasty and pressure washing is by far the easiest to clean it off!

2. Make a trip to the store first. I so wish I thought of this before all the work on Saturday... Luckily we live five minutes from Home Depot, but I can't imagine if we lived any further! I have a feeling I'm not the only one who finds that you need a ton of things and always forget something - meaning another trip it is. Try to take inventory of what you have and need new of - things like wasp spray (learned the hard way... we had HUGE nests in the yard!), mulch, gravel, batteries, parts and pieces, etc. Instead of wasting time during your day of cleaning, make a list before and go shopping before hand.


3. Work on the gardens. My absolute favorite part of yard work is picking out flowers! I spent a ton of time trying to choose - Home Depot has such a great selection of flowers! I like making things really colorful and I don't think there's such thing as too many flowers so go ALL out! Get potters and plant in them, grab some hanging plants and more. We have flowers in the front and back yards, but I like having as many flowers as possible in the back yard especially. Sitting around with colorful flowers that smell beautiful is the best - this is also a great time to plant some veggies! We have tomatoes, zucchini and basil growing right now and there's nothing better than fresh tomatoes in the summer. When you pick out/buy your flowers, make sure you read the tags and even ask one of the employees for information about them - it's so important to know what each flower species needs in terms of sunlight and water so that they don't die right after you plant them.

4. Make your space inviting and add storage. I may not like change, but I do like switching up the layout of patio furniture (and indoor furniture, probably because I'm so indecisive)! From year to year, trying out new ways to display your furniture and store things is so much fun. After pressure washing the patio table and pool deck table, I windex-ed the glass like crazy (food goes there... no harm in being extra clean!) and played around with the layout of the furniture. Our lower-deck is an L-shape, so setting up a dining table with chairs and a sofa set for the fire pit can be challenging and doesn't leave many ways to arrange it. But small changes are fun, and so are storage solutions. I LOVE the idea of storage benches because they provide extra seating and hide away cords, toys, planting tools, etc. There's even outdoor storage ottomans that make for great seating/storage solutions! If you have a small space, these are really must haves.

5. Accessorize and add personal touches. My absolute favorite part!!! No matter how much you want to spend, new accessories are the best part. It's likely that some things are still good from last season - like cushions, etc. - but there's always new trends popping up. I love having tiki torches surrounding the decks and pool (they even help prevent bugs) and fun lanterns and string lights all over. Outdoor living can really be seen as another room of your home, so treat it like one! We spend SO much time outdoors in the summer and when your space is decorated and inviting, it's the absolute best. Bringing fun patterns in pillows helps add color - and you can even add in some lightweight throw blankets for night time festivities. Keeping a radio on hand in your storage unit is a great idea too.

XOXO -A

45 comments:

  1. Umm, I need those pineapple pillows - SO CUTE!


    xoxo, Jenny

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  2. We'll definitely be sprucing up our pool deck before our big BBQ in July. Need some new furniture and get the pressure washer out.

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  3. If I had a patio, I would so do this! Those pineapple pillows are the cutest!

    xx,
    Amanda || www.fortheloveofglitter.com

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  4. its amazing how much better things can look when they are power washed! this post was awesome! x,kenz http://sincerelykenz.com

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  5. Flowers are great for these spaces - they can really transform a space!

    Tori
    mooretori.blogspot.com

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  6. Very pretty! Updating my patio for summer is one of my home goals for this year. I bought new patio furniture and a rug but I'm definitely needing to add some greenery and flowers out there to brighten the space.

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  7. Great ideas! I love sprucing things up with flowers :)

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  8. I need to step up my patio. I have been working on it, but I like the idea of lanterns!

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  9. Those pillows are cute!
    We don't have a patio at our house, but we do have a little raised garden that I made with cinder blocks.

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  10. Love the pillows! Obsessed with pineapples right now haha.

    Alix | www.apintsizedlife.com

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  11. Those pineapple pillows are so cute! I'm obsessed.

    Kennedy // kennedyswonderland.wordpress.com

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  12. I love the pillows! I'm always so afraid to stick them out because I never remember to bring them in when it rains! I also like the idea of adding storage!

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  13. I Looove sitting on the patio in the summer! So relaxing!

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  14. I agree with others, those pineapple pillows are perfection. I don't have a deck, but if I did I would make it a cozy place to relax with a cocktail.

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  15. Lovin those pineapple pillows!!! Too cute!
    XO Amanda | www.glitterandspice.com

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  16. I need those pineapple pillows. For real! TOO cute!

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  17. Those pineapple pillows are SO cute! I need them for my patio asap!

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  18. My patio is really pretty but way too hot! I need to add a ceiling fan so I can enjoy the patio more.

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  19. It's always nice to have the patio ready for summer! I like how you listed all the things that you need starting from cleaning everything. That's how I normally do it as well.

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  20. We worked on our garden this weekend!

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  21. what a beautiful pillow! It makes the patio more relaxing.

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  22. Those flowers are SO pretty. I agree- power washing the deck makes a huge huge difference! I actually have to power wash the top and bottom of our deck, so I get totally drenched when I do it ha!

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  23. Those flowers are gorgeous and these are some great tips for getting the patio ready.

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  24. Our patio is so bare and sad looking! It needs some fun furniture.

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  25. The patio at my apartment is teeny tiny but this post may have inspired me to finally get some furniture out there haha!

    xoxo A
    www.southernbelleintraining.com

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  26. Deep cleaning is everything! Nothing is worse than wanting to sit on the patio but changing your mind because it's dirty.

    xo,
    Sara Kate Styling

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  27. I definitely need to get the pressure washer out! The siding and back patio are a mess. I'll take it to the trampoline now that you suggested that too.

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  28. Those things that I Need this for this summer time, Very neat and relaxing If you see those beautiful things like this. Really loved your pineapple pillow!

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  29. I think these are all some great ideas. I love Summer and getting things ready for Summer. My husband and I are on the search for a house, so I hope we get one with a patio as well.

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  30. Great ideas. I now live in an apartment so no backyard for me. I am going to have my lil balcony spruced up though. Not yet, but it's coming.

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  31. Oooo fabulous suggestions!!! I'm actually working on our patio this weekend! Just waiting for payday to go shopping!

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  32. I super love the pineapple pillows! I don't have a patio at home but these ideas are so awesome, I just love them!

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  33. Those pillows are adorable! I love the flowers too :)

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  34. I'm obsessed with summer patios! Something that brings me great joy is walking along an avenue with flower boxes and pots at every doorstep.

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  35. THOSE PILLOWS ARE EVERYTHING. Also, wish I had a patio... haha, great tips though!
    xoxo
    Amy | Pastel N Pink

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  36. We have a patio at home and I like to decorate it too. Thanks for the nicest ideas!

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  37. I wish that I had a patio to do this with! We have a back porch so I may just take these tips and use them for redoing that into a great space.

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  38. These are great tips! My family spent the entire day on Saturday cleaning our front porch...and now it's summer ready! I love sitting on the porch or the patio in the summer :)

    Stephanie | www.stephanietherese.com

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  39. I used to love sitting outside. Now our patio faces the street (boo) and Im not so overly keen to be on it. One of those things you don't really consider until you move in. :)

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  40. Thanks for these tips. Might come in handy for many. Love it!

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  41. Honestly I love deep cleaning/pressure washing! It's tiring but so cool to see an immediate difference.

    http://thealwaysblog.com

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  42. now im dreaming of a nice patio myself to DIY and decorate! nice tips there!

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  43. For each and every designing, deepest clean are the most important one. Then only we get perfect result.

    Tank Cleaning Service

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  44. If you are lack of time to wash these things, you can hire low cost sg transfer maid. But they will be experienced and have work permit. You can also choose for your specific work to do.

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  45. These are some excellent suggestions for preparing the patio, and those flowers are absolutely gorgeous. Cheap SMM Provider

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