Spring Patio Makeover Ideas

After the cold winter, my garden patio always reminds me a wilting leaf. The grout between the flagstones is grimy, the wooden chairs look faded and the planters are all empty. But as soon as the first sunny day casts its spell on my garden, I roll up my sleeves and set about rejuvenating my patio. Because, you see, it's my favorite place to sit and read on sunny afternoons. If you're the same way, here are my tips for giving your patio a spring makeover.

Clean the Patio Flagstones

To give my patio floor a spring makeover, I rent a pressure cleaner from my local home improvement store on an hourly basis (which is far cheaper than a daily rental). Within 15 minutes, the patio flagstones and the grout look like new again, without the need for chemicals or soap. Pressure cleaners will work well for patio pavers as well; although, from personal experience, I do not recommend them for pebble rock floors as the pressure may loosen some of the pebbles.

Spruce Up the Furniture

Though I keep my wood patio furniture covered in winter, the wear and tear from exposure to the sun during the summer, followed by the humidity of winter, leaves the wood looking faded and tired. I sand down the furniture to remove any dirt that may have stuck to it, then I stain it in a well-ventilated area. You can do the same with metal, wicker and plastic furniture, then spray paint it in outdoor paint which suits the type surface you're painting. For my spring garden patio I love using semi-gloss finish, because it causes the furniture to glint in the sun.

Bring Out the Lanterns

When spring comes, I bring out my garden patio lanterns. I use floor pot poles to hang Japanese paper lanterns in fine weather. From two nearby trees I suspend camping gas lanterns, which I light in the evening. If you have a roof over your garden patio, you may use swag hooks to hang your lanterns overhead. I also love the idea of extending a stretch of lamp chain (found in home improvement stores) over your patio, perhaps from trees on the right and left. Then you can hang a line of colorful Chinese lanterns to complete your spring patio makeover.

Add Whimsy

What would a spring patio makeover be without a little fun? I bring out all my fairytale decor, which I hide away during the cold winter months. I hang a firefly wind chime at the entrance to my patio, so every passing head will brush a little music into the air. I spread colorful glass gazing balls through the flower beds. I decorate my flower pots with landscaping butterflies. And I bring out a small water fountain that runs on batteries and creates the soothing sound of water.

Fill the Empty Planters

To save money on filling all my planters, I order my flowers in bulk from a local nursery that actually delivers them to my door. I further save money by making my own potting mix. In winter, I keep turning my pile of rotting plants, leaves and grass to create rich compost. Following a recipe I found on Better Homes and Garden, I mix 4 quarts of my compost with 8 quarts of potting soil and 1 quart of sand. Then I set about planting, and as flowers start to dot every corner of my patio, I feel as if some magical hand is waving a wand and panting me an impressionist garden.

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