Memorial Day weekend, known as the unofficial official beginning of summer to many, is just a couple of weekends away. I love the idea of entertaining, decorating, and all things patriotic, so this is one of my favorite holidays. I thought I’d share a few tips on how to get your patio ready for the outdoor entertaining season.
1. Deep clean: Start by deep cleaning your patio or deck. Power washers are perfect for this and easy to use. Don’t worry if you don’t own one. Most hardware stores will have them for you to rent. Just be mindful of what you use this on so it doesn’t ruin anything. While you’re at it, take a water hose and spray down any furniture, cushions, and umbrellas. Only some fabrics and fillings are suitable to sustain outdoor use. For help on figuring out how to clean your specific fabrics, check out our Fabric Care page.
2. Revamp your furniture: Now that you’ve washed off your furniture, take a look at it. Does it look a little loved? If it’s still functional, give it a little DIY makeover instead of going and buying new stuff. Metal or wood furniture can be painted or stained. Teak furniture can be pressure washed and, once it’s dry, preserved with a teak sealer. Plastic furniture can be scrubbed down with a little bleach and soapy water.
3. Add some life: Inspect your greenery. Start by removing dead branches and pruning. After this cold winter, some shrubs may need to be replanted. There are many plants such as horsemint, marigold, and ageratum, to name a few, that serve a dual purpose, like repelling mosquitoes.
4. Seating: The perfect seating for your patio can make a world of difference. Make sure your cushions and pillows are still in good condition, creating a relaxing and comfortable space for you and your guests. Cushions and pillows are a good way to brighten up your space and make it custom for your home. If your cushions or throw pillows aren’t in good condition consider new replacement fillings or cushion covers. We have many outdoor fabrics to choose from. While these fabrics may be designed for outdoors, they will still get wet and dirty if left outside for periods of time.
5. Drapes: Outdoor drapes can dress up your outdoor space, along with creating privacy and blocking the harsh sun during peak hours of the day. Drapes can also help personalize your patio and accent your cushions and pillows.
6. Umbrellas: A patio umbrella can create the perfect shade. While it’s nice to soak up some sun, it’s important to protect your skin. Did you know, May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month and Sunbrella® is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation as a way to help prevent skin damage from the sun. An umbrella not only protects you from the sun, but it also creates a shady spot that feels a few degrees cooler.
7. Lighting: There are so many fun and beneficial ways to light up your yard for those summer night barbecues. It’s also an easy way to make a big impact on your space. My two favorite ways are candles and those big clear bulbs strung across the yard. Bugs, of course, are attracted to the light, so citronella candles not only provide light, but they help keep those pesky bugs away.
8. Storage: Outdoor storage doesn’t have to be an eyesore. Dress it up and make it functional for more than just what it is. Find a good piece that can be used for other purposes, such as additional seating, a table top, a center coffee table, and so on.
9. Eating: If you don’t have room to have a full outdoor kitchen, get creative. Find a cute cart and set up a drink station. Use trays for your food and condiments. Make things simple – sometimes simple is better.
Farmhouse Spaces by Raleigh Photographers Adrianna Beech
10. Relax: Once you’ve got everything ready, sit back and enjoy your patio. Have some fun with the family and create this yummy summer snack. I recently found this recipe for an easy pizza thanks to Southern Living.
Ingredients:
Preparation:
2. Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add onion; sauté 2 minutes or until translucent. Stir in chicken, stock, marinara, and barbecue sauce; cook 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove pan from heat.
3. Spread about 1/2 cup chicken mixture over each crust; top evenly with mozzarella cheese. Place pizzas directly on oven rack; bake at 450° for 9 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with green onions and pepper. Cut each pizza into 4 wedges.