Many of us in the lower mainland feel that summer is the best season of the year – from the end of June to mid-September temperatures are ideal for maximum outdoor living. Backyard barbecues, lazing by the pool, kicking the ball around, dining outdoors – plan to get the most out of your outdoor living spaces this summer with a patio update.
Clean the patio floor.
Remove any outdoor furniture from the patio. Use a broom or vacuum to get rid of loose surface debris and dirt. Wash the patio floor with a cleaning solution – mild detergent and water or water and detergent with baking soda for more stubborn stains. After scrubbing, rinse thoroughly.
Decide what stays and what doesn’t.
A patio can quickly become one of the outdoor living spaces that gets cluttered with toys, containers waiting to be recycled, garden tools, leaning bicycles, and abandoned sports equipment. Remove any items that detract from the relaxing patio vibe you want to create.
Wipe down the furniture and other items you would like to keep on the patio with a soft cloth. Take the opportunity to give your patio an updated look by rearranging the patio furniture.
Replace, renew, and repurpose to furnish your patio.
Creating an inviting, comfortable seating area is a must for your summer patio makeover. Take into account how you want to use the patio – room for everyone to sit and eat (outdoor dining set), somewhere to chill out with friends (outdoor bar and a conversation set), a place to read or relax (Adirondack chairs, sofas with thick cushions).
Will you be leaving your patio furniture outside all-year round? If you can’t bring it inside during the winter, choose woods that are naturally weather-resistant such as cedar, teak, and eucalyptus or powder coated wrought iron that won’t rust.
You might not have the budget for new patio furniture, but you can still rejuvenate your patio with these simple tweaks:
- Sand wood furniture and stain or paint – go bold to bring some colour into the outdoor living space
- Prep and prime metal furniture before repainting
- Replace old cushions with new ones or DIY new covers from weather-resistant materials
- Repurpose indoor furniture pieces like chairs, tables (dining and occasional), and dressers – make them patio friendly by sealing the wood and swapping out hardware more suitable for the outdoors
- When you can’t buy, repurpose, or renew, add cozy throws and bold accent cushions to distract the eye from past-their-prime furniture pieces
Make your patio upgrade budget-friendly with DIY projects.
DIY projects that are functional and aesthetically pleasing is a cost-effective way to update your patio. Some ideas for DIYers to transform the patio into a place to spend quality time are:
- Install a fire pit
- Add new pavers
- Build a planter/trellis combo
- Place planters and plants around the area
- Increase seating with a storage bench
- Use privacy screens or curtains to keep patio safe from roaming eyes
- Make use of walls with vertical gutter gardens from recycled gutters
- Install a hammock or hanging chair
- Create shade with pergola, shade sail, or patio umbrella
Use ambient outdoor lighting to light your patio at night.
There are four types of affordable outdoor lighting specifically applicable to patios and other types of outdoor living spaces where you entertain family and friends. You can use all or any of them in a combination.
String lights: String lights resemble a length of string with small bulbs attached. They are very versatile since they can be hung pretty much anywhere and can be plugged in, battery operated, or solar powered. To create a warm, cozy atmosphere when gathering after dark, select warm white lights over cool white.
Rope lights: Rope lights are like Christmas lights but encased in a plastic tube, making them weather-resistant. They can be used to illuminate railings, outline a path, or highlight steps. You can hang rope lights underneath an awning, on the gutters, and around garden beds.
Solar lights: Solar lighting is a budget-friendly way to light up the outer edges of the patio, add lights to dark landscaped areas, and provide ambience to a seated area. The main patio solar light styles are string, fairy, pathway, and lantern lights. They don’t have to be switched on or off.
Candles: Place candles of different heights in clusters or group lanterns in odd numbers around the patio. Never leave candles unattended. Choose flameless or LED candles to reduce any risk of a fire hazard.
