6 Tips to Get Your Patio or Deck Ready for Summer

Now comes the fun part: decorating and making a space feel welcoming.

Adding planters and greenery can be aesthetically pleasing but they can also serve a dual purpose. Planting things like basil, mint and rosemary can make your space smell nice, and you can use the herbs in cooking. You can even plant citronella, lemon balm, lavender or peppermint to help deter pesky mosquitoes and flies.

When it comes to furniture, designers recommend arranging seating in a U shape or in a semicircle with a coffee or fire pit as the central focus. That will "make the space feel like a cozy, inviting gathering place," Thornton says. Put out some fun, weather-resistant throw pillows or find a vibrant tablecloth to add a pop of color. The right lighting also adds ambience, too, and it doesn't have to come with a high price tag.

String lights are inexpensive and easy to hang. If you want to invest a little more, some newer decks come with built-in lighting.

If you have bulb lighting, make sure to put in new bulbs for the season.

Outdoor speakers are a nice touch and can block out surrounding noise. There are many portable options that can easily connect by Bluetooth to your mobile phone.

Nobody wants to wish summer away, but having a plan at the end of the season will help reduce the number of hours you spend cleaning and repairing.

"A good time is when you do your end-of-season yard work," Adkins says, "Pack away your lights, cover or put away furniture, organize and keep it all straight, and clean your grill."

It's also a good time to think about what furniture might need to be replaced. You can often find the best deals in the offseason.

At the end of fall, when the pollen has disappeared and the leaves have fallen, it's a good time to think about power washing your wood deck — composite decks don't require as much upkeep. This is also the time to consider resealing or staining your wood deck if it's needed.

When next season rolls around, your patio or deck will be ready to go.

Samantha Lande is a contributing writer who covers food, health and human interest stories for several national publications. Her work has appeared in Real Simple and Allrecipes, on the Food Network and more.

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