The inside of your home may well be spotless, but what about outside? Is your patio covered in old dead leaves or is your deck desperately in need of some TLC? Too often, we pay so much attention to what’s going on internally at the expense of the external. If this is ringing true for you, don’t fret; patio and deck maintenance doesn’t have to be the time-consuming nightmare that many of us perceive it as. By following the tips outlined below, your ‘great outdoors’ will always be in tip-top condition.
The first step towards truly enjoying your small piece of the outdoors is actually accessing your deck or patio. Maintaining the doors and doorways that bridge the internal and external areas of your property is essential. But we’re not all capable of fixing tricky things like broken sliding doors. Luckily, reputable companies that specialize in sliding door repairs, such as AJ Doors, exist to help us keep our gateway into the outside world sturdy and attractive.
One of the best investments you can make when it comes to deck or patio maintenance is the humble broom. It’s amazing the difference that five minutes sweeping can make to the appearance of your outside area; a quick sweep will see the removal of leaves, twigs, and other miscellaneous debris that prevents your patio or deck from looking its best. Then you can sit back and enjoy being outside without your enjoyment being spoilt by the eyesore of errant garden detritus.
If your patio consists of pavers, then you’ll be aware of the gradual build-up of moss and general grime – it is situated outside, after all. A hard bristled broom and a bucket of water will do the job most effectively, though you could also pressure wash the moss away or use a solution of equal parts water and chlorine bleach. This will slow down the regrowth of those pesky lichens. The stiff broom is also invaluable when it comes to removing bird poo and barbeque grease fat from your wooden deck too.
This one’s solely for wooden deck owners (you certainly do not want to be oiling your patio pavers). By implementing a twice-yearly deck oiling schedule, your deck should have a long life. A good oiling in spring and just before winter will ensure that your deck is able to cope with rains, frosts, and all manner of weather conditions. Give your deck adequate time to absorb that protective oil – don’t oil your deck three hours before your next barbeque, as your guests will be slipping and sliding all over the place.
Are you guilty of neglecting the care of your outdoor areas in favour of the indoors? Or is your exterior entertaining area the pride of your household? If so, what do you do to keep your deck or patio looking great? Share your outside area maintenance tips and hints below for the rest of us who need some help and motivation in this pursuit.
One of the most relaxing ways to spend your Sunday afternoon is enjoying your backyard. After a busy week, there is nothing better than winding down in your own little slice of the outdoors. If your backyard feels more like a jumble than an oasis, here are some simple ways to turn it into your sanctuary.
Some of these suggestions are simple and can be done with the resources you’ll already have around the house. Other ideas might take some work and even a trip to your local outdoor furniture specialist like Super Amart. However far you go, the results are sure to be worth it.
It’s not essential to have a theme that you carry through your backyard but it is a nice way to make all the pieces of your yard come together. If you have selected key pieces in your preferred style for your home, it is simple to carry this theme into your yard. Otherwise, look around the space you have available and see if any ideas jump out at you. Do you have a feature tree or shrub in your yard? Work around that with a country or rustic theme. Does your yard have some gorgeous terracotta-coloured tiles? A Mediterranean-inspired oasis will complement them perfectly.
Select Some Key Pieces of Outdoor Furniture
Once you have selected your theme, it’s time to find the perfect furnishings. Choosing the right furniture material can have a huge impact on the overall look for your new ‘oasis’, so browse through the glass, timber, wicker and metal styles to see which type suits your design ideas. And don’t feel you have to stick to the same material throughout, or even the conventional table and chairs. Adding bench seats is a great way to make the area feel more casual.
The choices are endless when it comes to lighting options. Candelabras, lanterns, solar lights and fairy lights can be used in a variety of ways to brighten up your outdoor area. There are so many different kinds to choose, or you can have a mix of several different types. Candelabras are a great addition to the table. You could also outline the perimeter of your backyard with citronella lanterns to keep any bugs at bay. The beauty is that the majority of lighting is inexpensive, so you can buy a few different styles and change them up.
How much colour you add will depend on your theme. A beach theme might add some colour with blue cushions or bright sun umbrellas. Some twine or cast iron trays with candles add subtle colour to a rustic backyard area. A couple of statement pots can also give your yard an injection of colour. Look for unconventional ways to incorporate your theme and impress the neighbours with your design skills. Your backyard can provide endless hours of enjoyment. Whether you like to spend your time gardening, preparing a meal over the barbecue or laying on a sunbed with a good book – your backyard is there to be enjoyed. It will feel more like an oasis if you spend the time doing what you love.