7 Ways to Step Up Your Patio Game This Summer
iStock/Alan Lagadu.
Summertime begs for backyard gatherings, whether you’re drinking coffee in the sunshine on a lazy Sunday morning or entertaining your crew for a cookout. Spruce up that outdoor space that you’ve managed to neglect since late October by testing out these doable patio upgrades — all it takes is a Saturday afternoon’s worth of elbow grease. (You got this.) And once it’s all said and done, your friends will fancy you an everyday Martha Stewart; plus, your neighbors will thank you a million times over. Here are seven simple ways to step up your patio game this summer:
Images via Veggie Gardenings and Millésime.
Lighting sets the tone for any venue, and you backyard is no exception. Step up your patio lighting by stringing a few twinkling lights overhead, keeping them up year-round, or invest in a cool lighting fixture for your outdoor dining space, like this Marset light from Millésime in Old City.
Images via HGTV and Better Homes and Gardens.
Nothing says you’ve stepped up your patio game quite like installing a pergola overhead. Whether it’s blocking out the sun above your patio table or lining the side-yard walkway, a pergola adds a touch of elegance to any space. Vines growing up the sides are never a bad idea.
Images via Little Baby Garvin and Decozilla.
City-dwellers, this one’s for you. Bring some much-needed vibrancy to your all-concrete patio or roof deck with some potted plants. Not only are they cheerful and homey; potted plants also bring a pop of color and texture to your space. Go sleek and glam with some metallic planters, or pick up some hand-painted ceramic ones at your nearest vintage store. Not one with a green thumb? Succulents are your new best friend.
Images via Tigmi Trading and Dot and Bo.
Does anything make a space feel cozier than a rug? Your outdoor areas are no exception. Just find a rug woven from a durable material like hemp, or even paint your own cheap outdoor rug into something stylish if you’re feeling ambitious on a Saturday.
Image via Deavita.
A trellis can add a sense of privacy to your outdoor space without feeling obtrusive. Add a few vertically growing plants, like roses or wisteria, to climb the sides of the trellis, and watch your backyard turn into a secret garden overnight. Bonus points go to you if you use up-cycled materials for your backyard fixture — head to Life’s Patina for the greatest selection of salvaged windows and doors around.
Accent walls instantly elevate any room, adding a punch of color and style to the area. Painting exteriors can get tricky, but once you get the paint quality and color down, it’ll add some zing to your outdoor area you never knew it was missing. Plus, your friends will be Instagramming selfies in front of it all summer long.
Last but not least, plant a vertical garden. Your greenery doesn’t have to have a big footprint, especially if you have limited balcony or patio space. Simply grab some gardening crates or hanging pots and go! The best part? Herbs are super easy to keep alive in your vertical garden and will add some next-level freshness to any summer recipes you’ll be whipping up in the kitchen. Fresh mint in your mojito, anyone?
