How to prepare patios for summer
Summer is right around the corner, and families are itching to get outside and see some summer color and enjoy the fresh air. Here are some small creative touches (on a budget) for open-air spaces that will pull folks outside all summer long.
Even though many homeowners have a list of projects they would love to undertake during the ideal summer weather, the work can be overwhelming. Oftentimes, people spend their extra cash on a family vacation instead of pouring all that money into home improvements. Perhaps the best option is to focus on smaller less-expensive projects that can be tackled over a weekend.
The National Association of Realtors consumer-facing site HouseLogic has outlined a few easy DIY projects that homeowners can start and finish over one summer weekend, and these projects will not break homeowners’ budgets or deter their vacation plans. 1 Stop the pests that make patios look untidy. It is hard to enjoy a patio if it is covered in debris scattered by the wind or by critters with a penchant for digging and trampling. Stop critters with the humble pine cone — instead of regular mulch. Those spiny cones can deter pests and mischievous pets. And chances are, plants will love pine cones because they acidify the soil. Showstopper plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons may burst with color. Pine cones also decompose slowly, so homeowners will not need to constantly re-up their supply — saving time and money. In most parts of the country, pine cones can easily be found for free. 2 Pop some color on that concrete patio. Rejuvenate that dilapidated patio with color in a can. Try painting patios a bold, bright color or a fun pattern, such as a chevron. Crafty folks can also mimic the appearance of upscale stone patios with just a bit of paint and some stamps. Those who want to let their creative juices flow can try mimicking a carpet or even a game board, such as Twister. At the very least, a new coat of concrete stain will give that tired concrete a fresh look. 3 Ditch the rust, not the furniture. Lounging on a patio, cocktail in hand, requires something to lounge on. But if that secondhand chaise that was bought postcollege is covered in rust, visitors are not going to be relaxing on it in their summer whites anytime soon. But replacing the piece can be expensive — and a waste. Give it a rust-busting makeover, instead.
There are several ways to remove rust. If the damage is not too extensive, the job can be as simple as scraping the rust off. Use a wire brush, sandpaper, or steel wool — and a bit of elbow grease — to scour it away. For less effort, use a drill with a wire-brush attachment.
For more extensive rust issues, you can use an acidic agent such as vinegar to help with the removal. Or use a chemical rust converter, which actually changes the rust into a different substance and protects against future rusting, adding years to the chaise’s lifespan. Paint over the treated spot, and that chaise will be right back to its glory days and ready for white shorts. 4 Create outdoor storage. If a dumpy layer of clutter and scattered pots make the patio look sad, consider adding DIY storage to keep outdoor whatnots neat and tidy.
“Storage can be as important outdoors as it is indoors,” said Keith Sacks, vice president of the landscaping company Rubber Mulch. One of his favorite solutions is super easy and fun: Paint wooden crates (about $10 each) to match the patio (or try a bright, fun, contrasting color), and add a sealant to weatherproof the wood. Arrange the crates to create attractive, rustic storage. Gluing the crates together and attaching wheels to the bottom allows the piece to be easily moved. 5 Build a fire pit with no tools needed. Sometimes the best way to distract from a patio that needs some love is by drawing attention to a feature that does nothing but delight. A mini fire pit can serve as an arresting visual focal point while adding more fun and function to a patio.
Creating an outdoor s’more-making oasis doesn’t have to take much time or money. Try DIY blog Young House Love’s super-cheap, pint-sized pit, which requires only heatresistant pavers (also called fire bricks), which cost about $5 per stone.
Stack two layers of the bricks in a small circle about six bricks in circumference on top of a stone slab, and there you have it: a mini fire pit. Make sure the patio is constructed with fire-safe materials before attempting this project (sorry, wooden-deck lovers) and be sure to follow local fire codes. More DIY projects and other home-maintenance ideas can be found at houselogic.com.
House to House is distributed by the Arkansas Realtors Association. For more information about homeownership in Arkansas, visit ArkansasRealtors.com.