Having a patio in your backyard is one of the better ways you can enjoy the warmth during the spring and summer days. Cooling down with ice-cold drinks while chilling on your outside sofa is one unique experience that you cannot replace with anything else. However, have you noticed that no one in your family uses the patio anymore and not even you?
This means that it is time to make some changes to the overall design and make your patio a more attractive place. With some mixups, you will probably have a hard time finding some alone time there since now everyone will want to sit on the outside furniture and enjoy their time outdoors.
Constantly keeping your yard maintained and up-to-date is one of the main things you have to do if you want to create the best outdoor living space. From now on, you will have to decide on the design, style and how will you use it. Here are some things you should add to your patio to make it a much better relaxing space than it is now.
Start planning
Considering that the maintenance of your patio and adding in new stuff is not as expensive as other upgrades you could do in your home, it is a smart idea that you do such redecorations or redesigned at least once a year. It will last longer and it will be a better experience for you and your family. Decide what you really need or don’t need, decide what your final budget will look like and put some money away for any unwanted expenses (for an emergency).
Do some repairs
One of the first problems that arise with patios is cracks, scratches or chips on the floors. Nobody likes spending time in such a place which means that the first step you need to do is fix those types of problems. The older your patio, the more damaged it will be over time.
Repairing it usually costs people somewhere around $1000, although depending on the severity of the damage it may vary to a much lower or higher price. The more often you maintain it, the smaller the repair costs for various chips or cracks on the concrete or wooden floors.
Remove any weeds from the concrete
If you have a concrete patio you probably already know how annoying weeds can be. These unwanted plants constantly show up from out of nowhere between the cracks of the cement or between the bricks which can ruin the whole look of your patio. Every time you remove them, they come back up again in just a few days or a few weeks.
It is completely understandable that after the hundredth time you pluck them and they grow back that you would give up and leave them be. The more they grow, the less you will desire to spend time out.
There a couple of ways you can get rid of weeds and one of them is to mix salt and boiling water and then pour it on the plants. After this solution, you won’t have to think about those pesky weeds for the next few months.
Get a pergola
If the sun gets unbearable during the summer days you should consider installing a pergola over your patio. A pergola is a series of vertical pillars that support several cross-beams that will create more natural shade. To make the shade even more efficient, some people start growing vines around the beams and pillars. Keep in mind, such an upgrade can be really expensive, so think twice before you decide on such a move.
Heaters
Sure, summer can be hot as hell throughout the day, however, there are some nights where it can be super cold too. If you are planning to invite guests or if you have family night on the patio watching movies, you should definitely consider bringing in heaters. The heat will keep people closer together and will create a much more relaxing atmosphere. According to ThePatioPro.com, a fire pit can get you the heat you are looking for while also adding to the overall design and look of the patio.
Get new furniture
Just like interior design can become outdated and boring in just a few years, the same can happen for your exterior design. If you have furniture on your patio that you do not like, you probably won’t be spending any time relaxing on it. If you want to spice up this space and give it some more life, you should consider getting a brand new couch or armchairs.
This type of furniture is often made from plastic materials or wicker so that it won’t damage as easily when it rains. You can also get several colorful pillows that will add to the whole design.
Lighting
No matter if it’s the patio, your living room or your bedroom, without the right lights at the right locations you cannot create a comfortable space. With proper lighting, you can make your patio seem like a much more comfortable place to relax and drink at night or even throughout the day. You can get creative and set-up torches, candles, LED strips with different colors and so on.
With RGB LED strips you can easily customize the atmosphere outside. If you want a more relaxing atmosphere you can use purple or blue colors and if you are hosting a party you can make them light up in all colors possible.
Outdoor kitchen
If you are inviting people for an all-day party they will surely get hungry after a few hours. Instead of having your guests wander around your home, bringing in the dirt just to find some food, you should build an outdoor kitchen or at least get a grill. You won’t have to run inside every time someone asks you for a glass of water, ice or a cold drink.
Get a fridge or a freezer to stack up on ice and keep your drinks cool, a stove to quickly cook up some chicken wings or a grill for some serious barbecue. When you are hosting a party it is your job that you keep your guests happy. And nothing makes people happier than a full belly and cold drinks.