5 minute read
Sprucing up outdoor spaces
By Timmi Aplin-Barrett
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An outdoor entertainment area is a great addition to your home but, during the winter months, they can often get a bit out of hand.
Things get a bit dirty and overgrown. However, as we get closer to the warmer seasons and spending more time outside, it’s time to spruce things up.
Scrub-a-dub-dub
Cleaning and decluttering is an important step when sorting out an outdoor area. You’d be surprised at how much muck and grime winds up on outdoor furniture, decks and patios. Moving everything out of an area and water blasting the ground space can be a great start. Make sure you’re not neglecting roof and rafter spaces; if you have a gazebo or some kind of shade cloth, you can be hosting spider webs, vegetation and all sorts of dirt.
Get up there with a cloth or brush and get into those nooks and crannies. Wiping down and scrubbing outdoor furniture is a good idea too – winter can encourage moss and mold to grow on your furniture. Basically, get out there with a big bucket of soapy water and make everything spick and span!
Out with the old
It can be hard to figure out where to go once things are clean. Have a look around the space; if there’s items that are bit past their use by date, have broken bits or you’ve decided you don’t like them as much, get rid of them! There’s no point hanging onto stuff you don’t like. So, do a Marie Kondo and get rid of it if it doesn’t bring you joy. That old wicker chair that’s been in the corner for years? Donate it!
The glass table with a big crack running through it? It’s out! Getting rid of old things can be really cathartic so have fun with it.
Outdoor Living
In with the new
Now it’s time to figure out what kind of space you actually want when spending time outside. Whatever style you want, you can cater to that. Fire pits are a great center piece option and are actually quite versatile. In the summer, they’re a great place to toast marshmallows, throw in a few spuds or just hang out around. In the winter, they’re a great way to encourage people outside as they’ll still be warm and toasty! Lighting an outdoor space is also important – you want to create atmosphere. If you’ve got a gazebo of some kind, putting string lights in the rafters can be a great way to add ambient lighting. You can also check out some outdoor solar lighting ideas to reduce ugly cables and cut down your power bill.
Final touches
Sometimes, it’s the little things that count when revamping a space. Things like cushions, candles and plants can make a big difference.
Finding some hardy outdoor plants to fill a corner can be a really nice way to connect the space with the great outdoors. Small water features or outdoor sculptures can also bring a lot of personality to a space. Really, it’s all about personal taste. But be careful not to overdo it – avoiding clutter is an excellent way to keep a space modern and clean. So, as the weather warms up, have fun in your spruced up outdoor living area.
If You Can Dream It, We Can Build It
We believe a beautiful kitchen creates a place for family and friends to gather with love.
www.dreamdoors.co.nz
Adrian Kay has owned and operated Dream Doors Christchurch since 2012.
Dream Doors Christchurch has won the Dream Doors New Zealand Franchisee of the year, every year from 2013. Dream Doors Christchurch also won the prestigious Westpac Franchise Association of New Zealand “Franchisee of the year – Home Services” in 2017, and now have just won the “Westpac New Zealand Franchise Awards 2021” for Excellence in Customer Engagement.
Dream Doors specialises in renovating and replacing kitchens as well as designing for new builds. We understand the importance of creating a fabulous and functional space in the heart of your home for you and your family. Spending time together is one of the greatest investments you can make. Something amazing happens when you prepare and share food. Whether you require our facelifting approach to modernise your kitchen, with new benchtops, doors and drawer’s fronts, or you require new cabinetry and layout, we will work with you to achieve your needs within your budget. We will present you with a wide range of NZ made beautiful, quality product choices, and guide you through the decision making process.
The Dream Doors team prioritise keeping disruption to a minimum for you and your family, with facelifting services often completed within one or two days. With an experienced and dedicated team, we are the trusted choice for your kitchen requirements.
Adrian and his team of skilled tradesman take great pride in their work and are ready to help you make your New Kitchen or Kitchen Renovation dreams come true. So, what are you waiting for? Get in contact with us today to supply all your kitchen renovating needs.
