Upgrading Your Deck Or Patio For Summer Enjoyment
Some of our happiest and most memorable family times are spent in outdoor spaces during the summer. Entertaining friends on your spacious deck, barbecuing delicious meals on an outdoor grill, relaxing in a hot tub after a hard day's work--all these are possible. With designs from your local home supply store, you can build a new deck or other project. Here are some ideas for creating outdoor spaces where you and your family can enjoy the good life throughout the summer.
If you want a distinctive design for a new outdoor space, check out what is provided by your hardware and home materials store. Many offer advice and plans from professional designers. Get to know the most advanced materials being offered. There are composite deck materials that look like expensive woods but are easy to care for and extremely durable. Before you install a huge wooden deck, think about the upkeep in coming years. Composite materials never need sanding, staining or waterproofing. They can save you many tedious hours of upkeep, allowing more time for summer fun.
Lighting is important to your outdoor spaces. You will want to spend evenings there, and throw parties on weekend evenings. Build adequate lighting into your new deck or patio, including lighting on the steps, so people can navigate them safely in the dark. Plan a way to zap bugs that interfere with your outdoor enjoyment. Make a covered space, or umbrellas sheltering tables, for those rainy or drizzly days. Place solar lighting along paths to and from your house and deck.
If you enjoy gardening, you can plan a project to upgrade your garden space. Build raised beds for vegetables. These create a warmer and richer soil to yield more produce for your table.
You can also create enjoyable living spaces in your yard. Put in a glider beside a bed of perennials, where you can relax and enjoy the color and fragrance of flowers.
Build a play space, jungle gym or play house where your children can enjoy many wonderful hours in summer. Even a simple tire swing can provide hours of fun.
You may be able to make the improvements you want to your home's outdoor spaces as a do-it-yourself project. This can save a lot in labor costs. On the other hand, if you hire a contractor to do the work, you will be free to enjoy your summer days. Another alternative is to get a couple of friends or family members to help you do the work.
A hot tub is a luxurious addition to your deck. They can be expensive and require the help of a plumber, but will make a pleasurable addition.
People are choosing to spend more vacation time at home, to avoid the hassles of travel and save on expenses. You may find that any of the above suggestions will pay for themselves as an alternative to expensive vacations trips to distant places. These outdoor improvements will also add to the value of your home. So, make this the summer when you make your dreams of outdoor living come true.
