With summer in full swing, it’s likely you’ll be making the most of your outdoor space while soaking up the sun.
If your patio or decking area is in need of a bit of preening to get it looking tip-top, take a look at these quick and simple tricks FourWalls have come up with.
Get scrubbing
Start by hosing down the entire surface area – if you don’t own a hose, throw a couple of buckets of water over the patio instead. Then, using a stiff brush or broom, give your patio or decking a good scrub to get rid of any stubborn dirt or debris. Once you’re happy with your scrubbing skills, return to your hose or bucket to rinse the unwanted muck away from the area.
If you’re working with wooden decking and haven’t already, you might want to consider giving your decking a top coat with decking stain. This will improve its weather resistance and extend the colour’s life expectancy. You could even opt for a whole new colour – there are plenty to choose from!
Make the most of space
Don’t just dump your furniture anywhere; have a good think about how you can get the most use out of the area you’re working with. Have a play around with your garden furniture and accessories to see what works best for you.
Stack chairs away
To create more space, consider stowing away your chairs when they’re not in use – this will instantly make your patio or decking area look less cluttered. To keep them in good condition for longer, try and tilt them when they’re not in use or you could even invest in some furniture protection sheets – this will better protect them from wet weather conditions.
Pretty plants
To liven up your courtyard, have a think about investing in some plant pots or hanging baskets and, of course, filling them with pretty plants! Some popular and pretty flowers for hanging baskets include: lantana; lobelia; pelargoniums/geraniums; portulaca; begonias; black eyed susan vine; fuchsia; million bells; petunias; and sweet alyssum.
Light it up with LED bunting
Make those late summer nights that bit more magical by splurging on some LED bunting. It’ll add colour to your patio or decking area during the day and by night it will last much longer than candles.
Up the ante and upcycle
For a cheap alternative to splashing out on a new set of furniture, get creative and upcycle what you’ve already got. For wooden furniture, you could dabble with a different colour for a whole new look. If you’re working with metal or glass, you could do something as simple as cover your table-top with a new cloth and place seat cushions on your chairs
