Patio Fix-Ups: Take Your Outdoor Space from Snoozefest to Stellar

While lounging in your favourite sofa chair in front of the TV, enjoying the outdoors during the spring, summer, and fall is something you shouldn’t miss out on. You can lounge outside in the sun, play with your kids in the yard, or have a great BBQ with family and friends. And when you have a patio outside your house it is even more special. A nicely decorated patio will have you spending even more time outdoors. Here’s how to prepare yours for this summer. 

Add a Teak Table and a Few Chairs 

Many people choose teak furniture for their indoor space, but only a few realize that they can use it outdoors too. Teak is a very durable wood and many products don’t need to be covered with a sealant to make them weather resistant. 

In fact, the gorgeous teak outdoor tables and chairs on the market are a great alternative to wrought iron or heavy cast aluminium furniture that is often used outside. Here are just a few reasons why you might want to consider using teak furniture on your patio.

• Durability – Teak is considered one of the most durable woods available. It can handle changes in humidity and temperature without cracking or warping. 
• UV protection – Teak is naturally resistant to UV rays, so you don’t have to worry about applying special finishes to help protect your furniture. 
• Weather resistance – Teak wood does not soak up water, which also makes it ideal for outdoor use. 
• Low maintenance – Teak requires very little maintenance, especially if it’s sealed with an oil-based sealer every year or two. The oil helps keep the wood from becoming too dry or brittle. You can also easily re-stain your outdoor teak furniture whenever needed. 
• Low cost – Teak is readily available at most home improvement stores and doesn’t cost a fortune. This means you can find high-quality furniture without breaking your bank. 

Teak patio furniture is made in different styles that can fit into almost any taste or theme in your patio or backyard. There are pieces that are made in Asian, modern, Caribbean or traditional style available in the market today.

If you want furniture with a unique design, you can also consider custom made teak patio sets where the design is made according to your specifications or liking. 

If you plan on leaving your teak outdoor tables outside year-round, skip the cushions and covers entirely. It is better to invest in a solid-colour fabric that can be washed at home than expensive covers that cannot be laundered properly in an outdoor environment.  

Paint Your Deck White, or a Shade of Grey 

Painting your deck can be a great way to give it a facelift and extend its life. There are a few simple steps to take when you start painting to make sure nothing goes wrong.  

1. Pick the right paint. Paint is not the same as a stain. Paint is oil-based, and stain is water-based, so keep this in mind when deciding what product to use. If you want a glossy finish, use oil-based paint, and if you want a matte finish, use a water-based stain. Oil-based paints tend to offer more protection against sunlight and weather than their water-based counterparts. 
2. Clean off all of the dirt and grime first with soap and water and then let the wood dry completely before applying any paint or stain. If you’re using a pressure washer to clean the wood, make sure that you apply it at least 10 feet away from any plant life or siding that could be damaged by direct spray. 
3. Use an extra roller cover to cut in along edges, cracks, corners, anyplace where you can’t fit your roller frame comfortably. This will help ensure that you don’t miss any spots! 
4. Paint or stain in sections rather than trying to do room-sized sections at once because it can take forever to fully dry. 

Add a Privacy Screen Around Your Patio 

One of the best ways to personalize your patio is by adding a privacy screen. Screens are ideal for patios that face busy streets or other areas where you may need additional privacy. They can also help block out cars, noise and neighbours. Adding a screen to your outdoor living area will make it more enjoyable to spend time outside, whether you’re entertaining friends or enjoying some quiet time alone.  

Add Planters to Make the Space Garden-y 

If you’re lucky enough to have space for an outdoor patio, you’ll want to make the most of it. Adding planters is a great way to add some greenery to your space. You can choose any type of planter, like box planters or troughs, and put them in rows in the patio area. Consider using box planters in front of your troughs in order to create an eye-catching arrangement. 

If you’re looking for depth to the arrangement, use multiple levels in your troughs and boxes. You can also use multiple colours and sizes of containers. For example, if you have large rectangular containers, use smaller square ones in front of them. 
Here are some tips for making your patio look great: 

• Use different heights in your planters for visual interest. Taller boxes should be placed in front of smaller ones to give the overall arrangement depth. 
• If you live somewhere that gets cold during the winter, consider using burlap or other fabric instead of soil. This will protect plants from frost damage during the colder months. 
• If your patio faces south, put plants that prefer sunny spots here so they get plenty of light all day long. When plants get lots of sun, they grow faster and are more likely to stay healthy and thrive. 

Create a Small Stone Waterfall in the Corner of the Patio 

A good upgrade for your patio space is to add a waterfall feature in one corner. This can be done very simply by adding a couple of boulders in the corner (so they don’t tip over) and then adhering or pouring in concrete around them. Add in some small pebbles for the water to flow over and voila! You have an instant oasis in your own backyard. The sound of running water is also very soothing, especially when you are entertaining outdoors. It will make your guests feel relaxed and create a nice ambience. You can even add some lighting under part of the waterfall to create an evening effect. 

To Sum Up 

Many of these upgrades are simple and cost-effective, requiring no construction experience or major DIY skills. If you’re looking to upgrade your patio this season, take a look at the suggestions above. They may just help you find the perfect balance between function and entertainment.