5 Ideas to Keep your Patio Looking Its Best

July 13, 2015 Guest Post

Your outdoor patio is an excellent place for you and your family to relax and unwind in the fresh outdoor air. To keep your patio looking its best, you need to perform regular maintenance and look for ways to continually increase its functionality. If you have not made any changes to your patio in the last several years, consider the ideas below.

Clean It Up
While you likely clean the interior of your home on a daily basis, you may forget to clean and maintain your patio. The type of material your patio is made from will determine the cleaning and maintenance it requires. Consider pressure washing any wood, cement, or stone; edging the areas where the grass meets the foundation of your patio; and washing and wiping down your patio furniture.

Update the Flagstone
Decorative flagstone is a popular choice when it comes to creating patios and walkways. An easy way to enhance the look and feel of your patio is to have your flagstone professionally restored. A professional can smooth out any uneven areas, replace any broken stones, and even redesign the flagstone altogether. If you are having your flagstone replaced in its entirety, consider changing the color of your stones and having the stones laid in a decorative pattern.

Add a Touch of Nature
An easy way to add to the beauty and tranquility of your patio is to add a touch of nature. You can do this by adding oversize planters with seasonal flowers, adding hanging baskets, or lining the edges of your patio with flowerbeds. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are several varieties of flowers that require minimal maintenance and only need watering a few days a week.

Create Shade
Adding shade to your patio can be advantageous for several reasons. Sitting in the shade not only drastically reduces how warm it feels on hot and humid days, it also allows you to stay outdoors for longer periods of time without worrying about overexposure from the sun’s harmful rays. There are many ways you can create shade on your patio: you can add a patio umbrella or a permanent or retractable awning or have a pergola built. Even if some of your patio remains open to direct sunlight, adding shade can make your outdoor living space significantly more comfortable.

Invest in Versatile Furniture
Even if you already have patio furniture, consider looking for ways to improve the seating and dining areas on your patio. With the popularity of adding elements like outdoor kitchens and fireplaces to patios and decks, many homeowners are adding features such as built-in benches and upgrading to patio furniture that has the same look, feel, and function as indoor furniture. This could be anything from plush couches to adjustable chairs to tables with built-in cabinets and drawers.

Even if your patio already looks amazing, implementing some of these changes and upgrades can give your patio a refreshed look and feel. When decorating your patio, look for elements that reflect your design décor preferences so that your patio feels like a true extension of your home.

This article is written by home improvement blogger, Jared Miret. Another way to keep your patio looking its best is having your flagstone sealed by www.texasstonesealers.com.