Summer is finally here and the great weather is the perfect time to make some changes to the outside of your home. With more daylight and warm days, you’ll have a much easier time tackling the jobs you’ve been putting off to keep your garden looking its best before autumn rolls around.
1. Give Your Home’s Exterior a New Lease of Life
A fresh new coat of paint can work wonders for a property that’s looking a bit tired. Think about repainting exterior walls, giving your front door a makeover or just touching up window frames to keep them looking their best.
First though, take a good hard look for any peeling paint, cracks or signs of damp that might need sorting out before you start decorating. And be honest with yourself, painting the exterior of your house can be a real challenge, especially if you’ve got to work at height or deal with tricky surfaces. That’s where a local painter and decorator comes in; they’ll have all the kit and expertise to get the job done to a high standard. You can get and compare quotes from local painters using MyJobQuote if you don’t want to tackle the job yourself.
2. Give Your Patio a Deep Clean
After a wet winter, your patio is probably looking a bit worse for wear. Dirt, moss and algae can quickly build up on paving slabs and give your whole garden a dull look. A good clean can sort this out and leave your patio looking as good as new.
To clean your patio, start by giving it a good sweep to get rid of any loose debris. Then use a patio cleaner or pressure washer to give it a good scrub. Just be careful not to blast away the old pointing or mark softer surfaces.
3. Fix Any Damaged Fencing Before It’s Too Late
Summer’s a great time to take a close look at your fencing and check for any signs of wear and tear. If you can sort out any loose panels or leaning posts now, it’ll save a lot of trouble when the winter storms come along again.
Sometimes all that’s needed is a simple repair — if a panel is loose, just give it a good secure and maybe a fresh coat of paint. But if the damage is more extensive, you might need to replace some of the posts or even the whole fence. Either way, applying a bit of wood treatment can help give it a bit more life.
4. Turn Your Outdoor Space into a Cozy Retreat
You don’t need a massive garden to create an inviting spot to sit outside and enjoy the fresh air. Even a tiny patio or a quiet corner can be made into a haven with the right furniture and accessories.
Think about adding some outdoor cushions, potted plants, lanterns or solar lights to make it feel more welcoming. And if the sun is beating down, a parasol, pergola or sail shade will provide some much-needed shelter.
5. Brighten Up Your Garden with Better Lighting
Outdoor lighting is a great way to make the most of your garden once the sun goes down. It’ll also make it safer to move around at night, especially on steps, pathways and seating areas.
Solar lights are a great option for a low-maintenance fix, but if you want something a bit more robust, consider wall lights, decking lights or weatherproof sockets. Just remember that any new mains-powered installation needs to be done by a qualified electrician.
6. Give Your Gutters and Roofline a Good Going Over
Gutters are easy to overlook, but they can cause all sorts of problems if they get clogged up. Leaves, moss and debris can cause rainwater to overflow and end up damaging your walls, windows and foundations. Summer’s a great time to clear them all out before autumn gets here.
While you’re at it, check for any leaks, sagging sections or damaged brackets. And take a look at your fascias and soffits — if the paint is peeling off, or there are cracks or rot, it’s worth getting them sorted while you’re at it. Just be sure to use a safe ladder and consider getting a professional in if it’s beyond your DIY skills.
7. Add Some Colour and Interest to Your Garden
Planting is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to give your garden a summer makeover. You could refresh an existing flower bed, create a new border or just add some pots around your patio and front entrance to brighten things up a bit.
Just think about the kind of sunlight your garden gets, and how much maintenance the plants will need, and you’ll be all set. Mixing up different types of flowers, shrubs and evergreen plants will give your garden some real colour and structure, and keep it looking great all year round.
Make the Most of Your Outdoor Space This Summer
You don’t have to do it all at once — even one or two small jobs can make a big difference. If you’re tackling a bigger job or need some specialist kit, hire a tradesperson to get the job done right!
