Preparing your outdoor spaces to invite spring and summer

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Published Date 3/14/2023

Looking outside right now, it can be tough to visualize what your yard will look like when it isn’t buried under a flood of rain or snow in a few weeks. Despite the chill in the air, however, spring and summer are just around the corner.

Before you take the advice offered here, check with your garden store specialists as to when the best time to plant may be depending on your climate “zones.” Planting too early might be ill-advised, killing the chance for your baby plants to thrive. And once the really hot weather begins, it might not be optimal planting time as well. In both life and nature timing is everything.

Realtor.com’s Larissa Runkle consulted with several experts on how to upgrade your outdoor spaces to prepare for when spring finally makes her true debut. First, look to your flower beds by planting colorful flowers like petunias or pansies to create a beautiful and vibrant display. Consider adding flowers that attract bees and butterflies—or creating a vegetable garden with raised beds for homegrown produce.

Now is a great time to set up an outdoor food-prep area if you plan to entertain from your backyard this spring and summer. Even if it’s just a grill or a fire pit, landscape designer Kevin Lenhart says, “The chef or grill-master shouldn’t feel isolated from the rest of the party if you’re entertaining,” he says. “To avoid this, consider adding bar seating along a cooking counter or an L-shaped outdoor kitchen, with bar seating that keeps the conversation near the chef.” Also best to keep your outdoor kitchen close to the house to avoid running utility lines long distances as well as trekking the length of your yard with piles of dirty dishes.

Above all, outdoor spaces should be functional. So why not consider expanding your deck? “This is a great way to create extra space for entertaining, relaxing, and enjoying the outdoors,” says remodeling expert Kamil Kowalski. He adds that a deck doesn’t just have to be a big slab jutting off your house. It can also “float” — a deck that rests on the ground. “Floating decks offer a contemporary look and are easier to maintain than traditional decks,” he says. “Plus, they can often be built in a weekend with the right tools and materials.”

By all means, shed some light on all of it. Twinkling lights for nighttime gatherings add warmth and ambiance to your outdoor space,” says Kowalski, who says light strings, candle lanterns, and tiki torches are all great options for creating a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Just make sure your lights are fire safe and rated for outdoor weather since rain showers can happen in many parts of the U.S. all summer long.

Shade is, of course, a must. Pergolas and shade sails provide overhead protection from the elements and define a space. But to determine their size as well as location, consider the sun pattern in your yard since you don’t necessarily need to shade your whole space. Even a smaller sail or umbrella can be angled against the sun.

Create a more dynamic backyard by planning seating options, such as building a series of perches along the perimeter of your deck, or seats where guests can relax and chat. You can also do this using a mix of traditional dining chairs, garden benches, and even hammocks. Just as designers create indoor “conversation groupings,” you can do the same outside with patio tables and chairs as well as several lounge chairs facing one another with a low-slung outdoor cocktail table in the middle. Casual lounging areas with plush outdoor furniture can provide quiet meditation corners as well.

Lastly, spruce up a lounge area by updating or adding decor like pillows, outdoor rugs, and throws to create a more comfortable environment and immediately make a space more inviting. Choose items rated for outdoor use, and consider getting a container or chest in which to place them while not in use.

Realtor, TBWS

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