Summer is just around the corner, and as the flowers bloom and the end of the school year draws near, the idea of spending time on the patio instead of inside is growing more enticing with each passing day. If you’re longing for the days of entertaining guests or just wish that you could have ‘that patio’ that’s the envy of all your friends, then take note of these great tips for getting your patio ‘decked out’ for the summer.
Get Creative With Your Outdoor Space
Regardless of your budget, it’s easy to take your patio living experience to the next level. Something as simple as painted palettes, colorful chairs, a few throw pillows, and a refinished dresser, can be just the thing your backyard needs to enhance the beauty of what living in Santa Cruz already provides. We like to peruse Pinterest for inspiration when it comes to any home improvements, check out our latest great finds here!
1. Fancy Up The Floor
Outdoor rugs are a great way to keep your outdoor space barefoot-friendly and stylish. Try to choose something that’s comfortable yet weather friendly. There’s a great selection of outdoor rugs out there that feature the same material that’s used on boats, so you know they’re water-friendly, plus they come in a variety of colors so it’s easy to match your palette.
2. Light Up The Sky
This trend has really been taking off in the past few years. String lights were something that way mostly reserved for the holiday season, but not anymore. Brighten up your outdoor space by crisscrossing strings of lights to softly brighten your outdoor space from above.
3. Kick It Up With Some Color
Summer is all about the color. Santa Cruz is so green itself, so you can choose something that complements the natural environment nicely, like bright pinks, teals, and corals.
4. And Don’t Forget The Power of Plants
Outdoor fads may come and go, but outdoor plants will always be in style. If you don’t fancy yourself a green thumb, you can pick up some pre-potted plants at the local nursery or opt for succulents and cacti, as they require very little water. For those with a little more gardening skills under their belt, you can try your hand at vertical herb planters. Not only do these add a vibrant pop of green, you’ll also have plenty of herbs on hand for your favorite recipes and salads.
Don’t Skip The Patio Basics
Pressure Wash The Patio
Whether you have a wood, fiberglass, or a concrete deck, a good hard clean with a pressure washer is a fast and effective way to remove old debris and stuck-on gunk that’s built up over the years. If you are pressure washing wood, try to use a lower pressure so that you don’t damage the surface. If you find any mildew stains, you can try a mix of warm water with chlorine bleach and a touch of laundry detergent. Saturate the area and let it sit, then scrub with a stiff brush and rinse thoroughly.
Freshen Up The Furniture
While you have the pressure washer out, why not give the lawn chairs and patio furniture a good spray down too. A little elbow grease and soapy water with a sponge should take care of the dirt and grime they’ve accumulated over the years.
Wipe Down The Windows
Most homeowners are good about cleaning the inside of their windows, but the outside sometimes gets neglected. If you’re going to be spending a lot of time outside, then be sure to give those windows a good cleaning. Not only will this prevent mold and mildew growth, it also adds a polishing touch to your already spruced up backyard.
Wipe Out The Weeds
Weeds are a constant battle for garden enthusiasts, but year after year the struggle should be fairly manageable. When pulling weeds, make sure you’re pulling the entire root out, and try not to disturb the surrounding soil as this could bring other weed seeds to the surface, where they’ll start to grow. Spraying straight vinegar on the plant and it’s roots can help kill it the eco-friendly
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