Summer is finally here! (Took long enough, right?)
We are so excited about the start of pool weather, or, as we at !nspire like to call it: “cocktails by the pool weather”
But hold the applause and don’t pour that Long Island Iced Tea yet…Have you looked at your patio lately?
Flimsy pool floaties, a messy shed and deck debris: it’s an organizational disaster zone out there!
The good news is that most people with pools are in the same boat this time of year, and luckily there’s plenty of time to get your patio “pool-ready” before the in-laws and neighbours decide to pop over for a swim or a cocktail.
Farewell to Pool Floats
Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jmazzola1/
As seasons change, you make upgrades around your home. It’s time to do the same for your patio. Our advice is to take a good look around and decide what you no longer need.
The best place to start is with your pool floaties and furniture. Are there rips and tears in your air mattresses? That piece of duct tape that worked so well last summer might not do the trick this year,,. Time to toss and start fresh!
Next, take inventory of what’s still in good shape and tuck them away neatly in your pool shed (if the mere mention of your pool shed makes you cringe, skip to section two of this blog!)
Once that seriously hot summer weather rolls around you’ll be glad you took the time to play keep and toss, because tanning on a deflated air mattress is no one’s idea of a good time…
Shed Your Shed
Speaking of sheds, it’s time to start shedding yours of the junk that’s built up since last summer.
We all house items in our shed over the winter to keep them safe from the snow, but with the fab weather here, we can start making room for new things.
An organized shed is the easiest way to keep your patio neat and tidy. Creating sections for garden tools, lawn equipment and storage removes the temptation to leave these items lying around your yard. It’s unsightly and could be dangerous.
Do you really want someone tripping over your garden rake before diving into the deep end? No way.
Do Away With Deck Debris
A clean sweep of twigs, stones, dirt and debris is the key to restoring your pride in your patio.
Power-washers are your best friend! If you don’t have one, rent one from your local hardware or garden centre. They make a big difference and will wash away the winter residue that’s plagued your patio for the last four months.
We promise you, there’s a gorgeous patio under there just waiting for its reveal!
Upgrade Your Patio Furniture
Last on the list: Upgrading your patio furniture. Think of all the previous steps as creating the perfect canvas, and now you have to make that canvas beautiful.
An elegant way to add panache to you patio is to treat it like a continuation of your home. If your patio is attached to your living room or kitchen with a sliding door, use the same colour scheme outside that you used inside.
Typical patio furniture doesn’t always provide a lot of options (teak, teak or teak?), but we carry a number of items that can be used inside and outside that will add a bit of spice and help you move away from the typical all-teak look of modern patio furniture. Our suggestion is the Flo three-piece nesting table set.
These glass tables can be matched up with any kind of décor. Just remember they are glass, so use them in your patio’s seating area and keep them away from the play area and pool itself.
What are you doing to get your patio and pool in ship shape this year? We’d love to hear from you!