Could your outdoor set-up use a bit of sprucing up? Often when we start spending time in our outdoor spaces again we begin to notice a few things that need improving, whether it’s wear and tear on our existing pieces or a brand new element we’d like to add to make the space more functional.
Maybe your outdoor cushions are looking worn, or you could use some shade in the form of an umbrella or gazebo. Perhaps you’re looking for a planter so you can add some flowers to your patio.
Village Media spoke to Lorraine from Heritage Home Hardware in Sault Ste. Marie to find out the best ways we can update our outdoor spaces.
Unless you are furnishing your space from scratch, she says, most of us simply need a couple of items to spruce things up. Thankfully there are lots of outdoor decor options to choose from—from patio lights to deck furniture, or even just a fresh coat of paint.
Light the way
One of the easiest ways to transform your outdoor space—and set the stage for enjoyment that lasts well into the night—is to add illumination. When you brighten up your backyard with lighting, it adds both functionality and style. Different types of outdoor lighting perform distinct functions.
To set the mood, increase visibility and create a relaxing atmosphere all at once, install exterior light fixtures, a category that includes those magical fairy lights and string lights. Patio lighting creates a warm and inviting feel in your outdoor living spaces and can make it feel as if you’re in a café or restaurant. Showcase your flowers and greenery long after dark by placing solar lights throughout your yard and around your bushes.
Lighting can, of course, also increase safety. To illuminate the arrival and departure areas of your home, use motion-sensor lights. You can also use garden path lights; they are a lovely way to light the pathways on your property, front and back, and they can help keep people safe while moving around your yard.
Upgrade your patio furniture
You’ll get a lot more use out of your outdoor space if it is furnished comfortably and looks inviting. The latest patio furniture options are quite durable, require minimal upkeep and can withstand the elements.
If you’re finding that your outdoor furniture is showing signs of weathering or sun damage, it may be time for an upgrade.
For pieces that really encourage relaxation, you can’t go wrong with outdoor lounge chairs, chaise lounges or hammocks. If you like to dine al fresco, an outdoor dining set or bistro set is an absolute must.
To create a space that encourages lounging and leisurely hours spent catching up, be sure to anchor your deck or patio with a new outdoor sectional or conversation set. Adding a patio umbrella to any of these spaces will provide welcome shade on those hot and sunny days, shelter from the rain and a pop of colour to your décor.
Add instant atmosphere with an outdoor fire pit or fireplace
You can add warmth and a sense of cosiness to your backyard by including an outdoor fireplace or fire pit.
For easy maintenance, choose propane, but there are also units that use real or faux wood and are excellent. Some outdoor fire pits are set inside tables, giving you the best of both worlds: a surface to place your drinks on and a dancing flame to gather around.
Spruce up your exteriors with paint
One of the fastest and most affordable ways to freshen up your exterior décor is to add a fresh coat of paint to your home. You might even opt to do just a partial refresh—by touching up the eaves, repainting the shutters or giving your outdoor fencing a fresh coat.
Just remember to start by using a pressure washer to remove all of the accumulated dirt and grime first, then apply a good coat of outdoor primer before you start painting the exterior of your home.
Create some shade with a gazebo or pergola
Depending on the amount of sun your yard receives, the direction your house faces and the amount of privacy you were hoping for, you might want a lot of shade or just a little. Gazebos feature a covered roof so you can stay outdoors even if some rain should start to fall.
Pergolas, by contrast, have a slatted roof and sides, which allow climbing vines to take hold; some come with a retractable fabric cover to block the sun entirely. You can find gazebos and pergolas that are ready-to-assemble—they come in a variety of sizes—or you could go the DIY route with a custom gazebo package.
Spruce up your garden
It wouldn’t be a truly welcoming outdoor space, of course, without some flowers and plants to soften all those hard surfaces and add colour, visual interest, texture and scent. Invest in couple of planters and showcase your green thumb. Perhaps you’ve always wanted to grow and harvest your own veggies, such as cucumbers and tomatoes; you can do this in a simple raised garden bed. Suspend hanging planters along the roof lines of your porch or from sturdy hooks you have attached to an exposed wall.
If you worry that you may not be able to keep on top of the daily watering a garden requires, a great solution is to buy a self-watering planter. If you have railings on your balcony or along your deck or porch, railing planters are ideal; you can add that much-needed punch of colour while at the same time maximizing the space you have available.
Re-stain your deck
Even the best, most durable decks will require refinishing from time to time. They can end up looking tired and worn after a while, as the elements take their toll. Thankfully you can easily make your deck look brand new again with the right deck stain.
If you want to keep the current stain colour or if you want to go darker, you can apply the new stain directly over the old one. But if you were hoping to go lighter or change the colour altogether, you’ll want to use a pressure washer first to completely remove the old stain and the varnish. This step needs to be done carefully in order to avoid damaging your decking boards.
Delineate space—and add comfort—with outdoor rugs and carpets
You can pull all of these varying elements together with just one piece: an outdoor carpet or rug. Not only will it make your deck or patio feel cosier and more comfortable, you can use it delineate space and create specific zones. A rug feels especially great underfoot in your lounging area and will encourage guests to slip off their shoes and relax.
With so many patterns and colours to choose from, you can easily coordinate your rug of choice with your surrounding patio furnishings. They’re also easy to clean and lightweight, so you can move them around easily. When winter comes, simply roll them up and store them indoors.
Have fun with the accents
The very last step in updating your outdoor décor is adding a few final decorative accents. These items immediately add to the esthetics of the space, but they can be quite practical and functional too. A sturdy patio cooler will keep drinks close at hand while you’re relaxing or dining. Candles and tea lights help set the mood, whether you’re entertaining or simply enjoying the space on your own.
You can add some colour and interest to any existing patio set with a few new throw pillows. Swap them out to decorate according to the seasons or keep the same set outside from May to October. Nothing quite beats a hammock for lounging and relaxing; place it anywhere in your yard that it is likely to get the most use, whether that’s in the full sun or tucked away in the shade.
If you plan to dine outdoors regularly over the next few months, you’ll definitely want to have some outdoor dinnerware in your cupboards. You won’t have to worry about breaking or damaging any of your indoor sets, as these outdoor versions are sturdy and almost indestructible.
These are just some of the ways you can give your outdoor space a fresh new look. Whether you’re buying a brand new furniture set or simply updating with string lights and throw pillows, you can make your backyard a stylish go-to destination all summer long.
For more tips on creating the backyard of your dreams, visit Heritage Home Hardware or call 705-759-5101.