Dust Off Your Patio and Pull Out the Furniture
It’s spring renewal time for concrete patios, pool decks, driveways, and walkways. Think of your outdoor patio as another room of your house. Now is the time to do a little spring cleaning and get your patio ready for warm weather fun. It’s possible that all your existing patio needs is a power washing or a style refresh. Maybe you’re thinking it might be time to replace your small, existing patio and install a fabulous new living space. Whether your dreams are big or small, here are some ideas for getting your patio ready for springtime.
1. Clean and Evaluate
Having a concrete patio in the Rochester, NY, area means clean up from snow and debris is your first order of business. Hose down your concrete patio surface to remove any surface dirt and inspect it to check for any damage that might have developed (especially if we’ve had a particularly cold and icy winter).
2. Restore and Reseal
If concrete is looking dull, has lost its sheen, or its color has faded, you can have it restored by a concrete restoration specialist in Rochester, NY (like CONCRETE DOC+) to get it ready for springtime gatherings. If you’ve had your concrete patio or other outdoor concrete areas
installed in the last year, a resealing is necessary after one year. After that, resealing is recommended ever few years to protect your investment to enjoy for years to come. You may want to consider having a concrete overlay installed, or add an accent color to the surface to give your outdoor living space a whole new life. There are many more options you can
consider and the pros at CONCRETE DOC+ can offer new ideas and solutions, then make your patio party-ready.
3. Trim and Weed Flower Beds and Landscaping
To get your flower beds and landscaped greenery looking beautiful, trim dead or overgrown stems on plants and bushes, pull weeds, and add or replace overly weathered mulch.
4. Add Greenery, Plants, and Flowers
Using plants will add color and interest to your outdoor living space and it more inviting. Here are just a few ideas:
Create small groupings of small and medium sized plants in pots on tables scattered around your living space to add color and interest.
Add large potting plants at ground level to make a design statement, to define a dining or entertaining area, or to add privacy from your neighbors.
Adding annual or perennial flowers and plants to your existing in-ground landscaping will liven up your outdoor living space and add an atmosphere of beauty and natural energy for all to enjoy.
5. Masonry Features Additions
You can also enhance your outdoor living space by adding a new gathering and conversation area for socializing–like a fire pit area. Or, add an outdoor fireplace for warmth and comfort. Who doesn’t enjoy gathering around a open fire outdoors at night? More practical additions to consider are adding a retaining wall to define a space, masonry fencing with decorative pillars, and so much more. Gruttadaurio Masonry, serving the Greater Rochester, NY, area, can design and install whatever you’re envisioning for your outdoor living space with meticulous attention to detail and old-world artistry.
6. Furniture and Permanent Seating Options
Now that your patio is cleaned and refreshed, it’s time to pull out your outdoor furniture from storage like tables and chairs, and clean or repair them, if necessary. Add or replace worn out
cushions and add new seating for entertaining. Hammocks, swings, and loungers are great for relaxing or reading outside. For a more permanent solution, consider adding a concrete sitting wall so you can feel free to entertain even more friends and family without having to add more bulky furniture every year. Outdoor seating walls also help to make your patio feel like an actual room – just add cushions for comfort.
7. Create an Outdoor Kitchen or Grilling Zone
Consider adding an outdoor kitchen for grilling and entertaining. Not only will make your outdoor living space more enjoyable by cooking outside, but it will eliminate the hassle of having to schlep food outside from your indoor kitchen when entertaining. If adding a large outdoor kitchen isn’t in your budget, consider having a large masonry grill built into the deck instead of relying on a portable version. Gruttadaurio Masonry can create either a modest outdoor kitchen or one that will have your guests never wanting to leave.
8. Patio Dining Options
For larger patios, an entire area can be defined and dedicated for outdoor dining. The vibe can either elegant and grand or casual and family oriented. For more casual dining and when larger gatherings are the norm, one or two picnic tables or a large dining table may be the answer. If small romantic dining is more your style, a small but elegant café table surrounded by plants and soft lighting will set the mood.
9. Light Up Your Night
You can still enjoy your patio and keep the party going after sundown. The right lighting can really set the mood you want in your outdoor oasis. String lights are popular and easy to set up. You can also add lanterns for soft lighting or torches when you want a party vibe. Consider installing subtle lighting on the tops of railings, around the perimeter of the patio, on steps, and in your landscaping. From a practical standpoint, a lighted patio or deck will allow the cook to see what he or she is creating, and prevent guests from tripping in the dark.
10. The Big Cover Up
Overly sunny or rainy days on your patios will be much more comfortable by adding a covering of some kind. There are many options available depending on your budget and your needs.
Options include adding a pergola, an outdoor gazebo, or an awning or canopy to keep the weather at bay. If budgets allow, consider adding a permanent structure with a shingled roof that matches and attaches your house. Don’t forget to consider your existing roofline so that your addition will look like it’s original to the house.
Conclusion
Now is the perfect time to contact Gruttadaurio Masonry to update your patio by adding new masonry features, or CONCRETE DOC+ to restore worn out existing concrete areas. Call us to set up an appointment so that we can make a house call evaluate your concrete, listen to your vision for your outdoor living space, and offer solutions that will give you your desired results.
Call 315-310-7193 today.