10 Ways to Prep Your Patio for Entertaining
Get ready to enjoy alfresco summer evenings in the company of friends with these essential tips on how to spruce up your terrace
After a soggy winter and cold spring, it’s highly likely that the outside of your home has been somewhat neglected. If you dream of balmy summer nights spent sipping drinks with friends and family outdoors, read on. These 10 top tips will soon have your patio in shape and ready for some serious summer relaxing.
Blast those cobwebs
Cleaning your patio is essential but so is cleaning the exterior of your house. Tackle the outside of your house first, otherwise you’ll end up with a lot of dirt on your newly cleaned patio.
You may want to hire a professional to do the cleaning, especially if you have a multi-storey house. If you have your own pressure washer or can borrow one from a friend, this can work wonders at removing the green from your guttering, blasting algae from walls and removing cobwebs and dirt build-up on your windows. You’ll probably get quite wet, so don your wellies and waterproofs, or maybe enlist a resident teenager who’ll probably secretly enjoy such a task!
Cleaning your patio is essential but so is cleaning the exterior of your house. Tackle the outside of your house first, otherwise you’ll end up with a lot of dirt on your newly cleaned patio.
You may want to hire a professional to do the cleaning, especially if you have a multi-storey house. If you have your own pressure washer or can borrow one from a friend, this can work wonders at removing the green from your guttering, blasting algae from walls and removing cobwebs and dirt build-up on your windows. You’ll probably get quite wet, so don your wellies and waterproofs, or maybe enlist a resident teenager who’ll probably secretly enjoy such a task!
Wash your patio
A pressure washer is perfect for cleaning your patio but blasting it can be quite painstaking, so take a few breaks if you’re getting bored or your back starts to ache. However, your patio will look so great afterwards, it’s well worth an afternoon of concentrated effort.
Once you’re done with all the water, get a sturdy brush and sweep away the debris. Make sure you clean the entire patio and don’t neglect any corners. Think of your patio as another room and be sure to clear out all its nooks and crannies.
At this stage you’re bound to find more bits and bobs that you missed on your initial clear-out, so dispose of everything that isn’t beautiful or being used. If the item doesn’t add to your enjoyment of your patio, get rid of it.
A pressure washer is perfect for cleaning your patio but blasting it can be quite painstaking, so take a few breaks if you’re getting bored or your back starts to ache. However, your patio will look so great afterwards, it’s well worth an afternoon of concentrated effort.
Once you’re done with all the water, get a sturdy brush and sweep away the debris. Make sure you clean the entire patio and don’t neglect any corners. Think of your patio as another room and be sure to clear out all its nooks and crannies.
At this stage you’re bound to find more bits and bobs that you missed on your initial clear-out, so dispose of everything that isn’t beautiful or being used. If the item doesn’t add to your enjoyment of your patio, get rid of it.
Deck the halls (or your patio)
You may be thoroughly exhausted after reading through those first few steps and decide to skip all of that and hire a local professional to deck over your patio instead. This is a great move if you can create a level threshold, providing an almost seamless transition from inside to out.
Decking is an absolute bonus for those (young or old) who struggle with steps as it removes a trip hazard, providing easy level access for everyone to enjoy those fleeting moments of British sunshine.
You may be thoroughly exhausted after reading through those first few steps and decide to skip all of that and hire a local professional to deck over your patio instead. This is a great move if you can create a level threshold, providing an almost seamless transition from inside to out.
Decking is an absolute bonus for those (young or old) who struggle with steps as it removes a trip hazard, providing easy level access for everyone to enjoy those fleeting moments of British sunshine.
Spruce it up with decking tiles
If you’re in rented accommodation, a great hack to spruce up your outdoors is to use removable decking tiles. Easy to install and quick to remove, they can be obtained relatively cheaply from large home stores and will fit over any level surface.
Decking tiles are perfect for adding a new surface to a small side return or courtyard garden. Wooden tiles provide a beautifully warm, tactile surface for bare feet that’s much kinder to your toes than scratchy concrete or stones.
If you’re in rented accommodation, a great hack to spruce up your outdoors is to use removable decking tiles. Easy to install and quick to remove, they can be obtained relatively cheaply from large home stores and will fit over any level surface.
Decking tiles are perfect for adding a new surface to a small side return or courtyard garden. Wooden tiles provide a beautifully warm, tactile surface for bare feet that’s much kinder to your toes than scratchy concrete or stones.
Bring the inside out
Outdoor rugs add colour, warmth and texture to a patio and are a great way to bring the indoors outside. Blankets are also pretty essential as our long summer evenings often have a chill in the air. Coordinate with cushions and battery-powered or outdoor fairy lights, and you can create a cosy outdoor snug in which to enjoy a drink with friends.
Outdoor rugs add colour, warmth and texture to a patio and are a great way to bring the indoors outside. Blankets are also pretty essential as our long summer evenings often have a chill in the air. Coordinate with cushions and battery-powered or outdoor fairy lights, and you can create a cosy outdoor snug in which to enjoy a drink with friends.
Grow up
Evoke memories of Mediterranean holidays by growing climbers up simple supports or a pergola. Climbing plants, such as clematis, roses, wisteria and honeysuckle, will provide shade in the summer and then die back in the autumn, so they won’t cut out too much light during winter.
A frame also provides the perfect place from which to hang lanterns and maybe even a hammock – though do get professional advice about whether it’s strong enough for the task.
Want to pretty up your pergola? Here’s how
Evoke memories of Mediterranean holidays by growing climbers up simple supports or a pergola. Climbing plants, such as clematis, roses, wisteria and honeysuckle, will provide shade in the summer and then die back in the autumn, so they won’t cut out too much light during winter.
A frame also provides the perfect place from which to hang lanterns and maybe even a hammock – though do get professional advice about whether it’s strong enough for the task.
Want to pretty up your pergola? Here’s how
Import a palm tree (or two)
Not much space? Or lawn? If your garden is a tiny, handkerchief-sized pocket of concrete, buy in some over-sized plants to provide a tropical feel. Tall planters will add instant height and create a beautifully intimate space, especially in a very small backyard.
Include lots of candles in jars and you’ll create the perfect setting in which to enjoy a leisurely get-together.
Got a small garden? Be inspired by these stylish compact spaces
Not much space? Or lawn? If your garden is a tiny, handkerchief-sized pocket of concrete, buy in some over-sized plants to provide a tropical feel. Tall planters will add instant height and create a beautifully intimate space, especially in a very small backyard.
Include lots of candles in jars and you’ll create the perfect setting in which to enjoy a leisurely get-together.
Got a small garden? Be inspired by these stylish compact spaces
Add a feature
Installing a small water feature or fire pit creates an attractive focal point on your patio. Moving water is incredibly soothing and can disguise the sound of nearby traffic. A raised feature is a great way to bring water into your garden, while keeping it safe for children or pets. You can even make your own by fitting a small solar-powered water pump into a plant pot and filling it with stones and water.
Alternatively, fire pits and chimineas look great and are a fabulous way to ward off the chill of a cool summer evening!
Installing a small water feature or fire pit creates an attractive focal point on your patio. Moving water is incredibly soothing and can disguise the sound of nearby traffic. A raised feature is a great way to bring water into your garden, while keeping it safe for children or pets. You can even make your own by fitting a small solar-powered water pump into a plant pot and filling it with stones and water.
Alternatively, fire pits and chimineas look great and are a fabulous way to ward off the chill of a cool summer evening!
Get comfy
Last but not least, invest in some super snuggly seats. Whether it’s a rattan chaise or a heavenly hanging egg, indulge in a little bit of sofa surfing to find your perfect perch.
Throw in some shower-proof cushions and you’re ready to enjoy your newly glammed-up outdoor entertaining zone. Now all you need is some sunshine!
TELL US…
How do you smarten up your patio? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments below.
Last but not least, invest in some super snuggly seats. Whether it’s a rattan chaise or a heavenly hanging egg, indulge in a little bit of sofa surfing to find your perfect perch.
Throw in some shower-proof cushions and you’re ready to enjoy your newly glammed-up outdoor entertaining zone. Now all you need is some sunshine!
TELL US…
How do you smarten up your patio? Share your thoughts and ideas in the Comments below.
Have a good spring clean of your patio, throwing away anything broken, such as pots, toys and garden furniture. Recycle as much as possible at your local household waste centre. If you have anything that’s not broken but is unwanted, advertise it on your local community website and someone will most likely come and take it away.
Unwanted bulky items? Check out expert advice on how to get rid of them