Summer is quickly coming to an end, but it’s never too late to refresh your yard this season. We still have plenty of nice weather days ahead of us, so make the most out of it with the design ideas below and enjoy your newly revitalized yard before fall arrives.
Revive Your Planters
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- Replace fading blooms with summer favorites. Purchasing plants that are ready to bloom rather than already in full bloom will help you extend the season. You might also want to refresh your potting soil to give the new plants a good start.
Refresh with New Paint
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- Add a splash or two of an unexpected color to give your yard a new look without a lot of fuss. Start small with a painted pot or Adirondack chair, or experiment with other garden elements. Look for paint designed for both the surface you are painting and for outdoor use. Also, if you’ll be painting a planter used for edibles, be sure to choose a nontoxic option.
Add Umbrellas or Shade Sails
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- Use a freestanding umbrella to provide shade in spots other than above your dining table. You’ll find umbrellas in a range of size and colors. A shade sail can provide even more protection for a sitting or dining area without closing off the rest of the space. The breezes will still circulate to cool you down, but you’ll have a bit of respite from the direct heat. Even better, you’ll find plenty of color options to choose from so that you can tailor the look to your landscape design.
Change Out Pillows and Cushions
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- New pillows and cushions go a long way toward giving furnishings a fresh look. Bonus: Many retailers put their summer-theme offerings on sale at this time of year. And while you’re at it, you might also find just the right chair or table to fit the new look.
Light Things Up
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- Supplement your existing outdoor lights with lanterns and candles that will enhance the ambiance. Opt for large statement pieces, such as lanterns like the ones seen here, or place smaller pillar candles or tea lights around your entertaining areas for a soft, continuous glow. Whatever type of lighting you choose, be sure that it is study and place it so it won’t be knocked aside or tipped over easily, especially if you have live flames. Consider making things even safer by opting for battery-powered versions.
Hang a Hammock or Swing
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- Nothing says summer quite like hanging out in a hammock or drifting back and forth on a swing. If your hangout place is also a brilliant color that matches the colors in your summertime yard, so much the better. Whether you choose a hammock or a swing, make sure it’s securely anchored before you put it to use.
Create a Relaxing Retreat
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- Move chairs and sofas from a spot that’s basking in the sun to a location under a shady tree. The naturally filtered light will help cool things down, and you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of your yard while reading, sipping or simply daydreaming.
Designate a Place for Drinks
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- Borrow the idea of a bar cart for your outdoor space. You won’t want to keep the drinks there full time, but having a set location and a few accoutrements handy, including a tub for chilling drinks and bar tools, will mean you’re ready to go when it’s time to bring things out. A bar cart also can do double duty as a table or counter when not in use for drinks. Closed cabinetry will let you keep some glassware and cutlery as well as any bar tools outside. To make juggling everything you’ll be bringing out from the kitchen even easier, consider having a weather-friendly tray on hand. If space is tight, look for other possible options when it’s time to entertain: the end of a counter, the top of a storage cabinet or even a potting bench.
Roast Mallows and Gather Around a Fire Pit
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- Extend the evening by gathering around a fire. It’s the perfect way to relax, sip some drinks and maybe make a s’more or two. If a permanent fire pit isn’t in your budget or landscape plan right now, look for smaller portable options, including some that use propane or electricity for the flames. They’re generally readily available and less expensive than built-in fire pits, and they have the added advantage of allowing you to place them wherever the action is for the evening.
Take Movie Night Outdoors
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- Turn your yard into an outdoor movie theater. A full outdoor theater is a commitment, but for an occasional family-and-friends movie night, especially if you aren’t fussy about quality, you can get by with a portable screen, white sheet or wall; a reliable projector or favorite movie player; speakers that can compete with ambient nighttime sounds from traffic noise or windy gusts; and some comfortable lawn chairs or lounges. Locate your screen in a spot that’s relatively free from adjacent lighting, and set up the projector and sound system. Also, be aware of how your location will affect your neighbors. You don’t want to blast them out with loud sounds or project something unsettling, such as a horror flick, to the neighborhood. Then just add popcorn and enjoy.
Comment with any changes you’ll be making to your yard before the end of summer. Until next month!
Source: houzz.com
