It's about that time of year again: time to start hosting outdoor parties and events! If your patio has started to get a little overgrown or dated, you may want to renovate it before you start inviting people over. Here are a few ways you can start sprucing up now.
Clean It Up!
Rent a power washer and wash off the patio and walls. You may be surprised to find out how vibrant they are underneath the dirt, moss, and muck. A power washer can be a little dangerous to use, so make sure you know exactly how to use it—or hire a professional. As a bonus, you can use it to clean up walkways around your home, too.
Purchase New Patio Furniture
New patio furniture can be a great way to re-style your patio and add to its functionality. Add some seating, look for patio tables, or just refresh the cushions and pillows. Most patio furniture is designed so that the cushions and pillows can be replaced. If you don't want to purchase everything new, look into upholstery cleaning.
Add Some Lighting
You can change the ambience of your patio quickly through the use of interesting lighting features. String lights across the top of your patio, add lanterns, or place lights in the ground. Solar lights are easy to install, charge themselves, and are environmentally-friendly. Lighting can also improve upon the utility of your space, if it's too dark to be usable after dusk.
Update the Surrounding Landscaping
Add some bushes around your patio for privacy, plant a few trees, or even add potted plants or raised flower beds around it. While landscaping can take a little work initially, there are many low-maintenance plants that you can invest in. Slow-growing bushes don't need to be pruned often and can help you create distinct spaces within a larger yard and patio area.
Create an Outdoor Kitchen
Get your grill ready or invest in an entire outside kitchen. Cooking outdoors is a fantastic way to celebrate good weather. Outdoor kitchens and dining areas add value to your property, while also adding living space. Consider adding a pizza oven, a stove, and a dining area, and you'll be able to host exciting events all year round.
Paint or Stain Wood Surfaces
A simple paint or stain in a fresh new color is a great way to make your outdoor patio look like new. Rather than trying to tear down an existing patio, a resurfacing might be in order: take a look at whether the structure is solid enough to make it worth your while. Staining is a little more difficult than painting, but can give everything a classic and clean look.
Stain Your Concrete
If you have a concrete patio, staining is a great way to update its look. Stain can be applied to concrete in any color or saturation. This can also reduce the appearances of any discoloration. After power washing your concrete, you can stain it yourself at home—just ask the associates at your local home improvement store for the right type of stain.
Extend Your Patio
If you find that your patio space isn't large enough for the activities that you want to hold, consider extending your patio. Extending your patio will increase its value and give you more space to work with. You can add a larger area for parties and events, an outdoor working space, or extend it out into a BBQ area. A contractor can help you mark off the space and get a better idea of where everything would fit in a brand new layout.
Add an Outdoor Bar
In addition to a kitchen, consider a bar and entertainment area. An outdoor bar can be as simple as a drink service area, counter, and some bar stools. Outdoor bars make it possible to sit outside, enjoy some music, and chat with your friends in a comfortable area—and it can be a nice alternative to having to go somewhere else for your libations.
Are you ready to start working on your patio area? From adding a little decor to extending the patio further, there are a lot of things you can do to increase your enjoyment of your outdoor space.
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