Summertime means bonfires, pool parties, and barbeques! Here are five cool backyard ideas to prepare for the warmer months so that you can truly enjoy the space all summer long.

Lawn Care

Caring for your lawn can feel a little overwhelming and scary at first, but spring is the perfect time to prepare your lawn for summer. You will want to aerate and fertilize in the spring and then mow consistently throughout the spring, summer, and fall. If you do not have time to take care of your yard, hiring a lawn-care business might be a great option for you and is more affordable than you may think.

Cleaning

To ensure your backyard is ready for summer, you will want to take the time to clean. Power-washing your deck, patio, and all outdoor surfaces will freshen up your backyard space for those summer months. You’ll want to remove the dirt, dust, and salt leftover from the cold winter months before you begin to use your outdoor space.

Your outdoor furniture has also been collecting lots of dust and dirt in storage over the winter, so make sure to thoroughly wash all your furniture. You can do this with some soap and water. Cleaning all surfaces and outdoor furniture will allow for you to enjoy your outdoor space for the rest of the summer. Don’t forget to power-wash your outdoor rugs!

New Furniture

Thinking about purchasing new outdoor furniture? Now is the time to do it! There are many things to consider when buying outdoor furniture. You will want to choose items based on how the material of the furniture withstands the sun, rain, and wind. Mobility and maintenance are also a huge factor when deciding which furniture to buy.

There are many types of outdoor furniture materials, but the most popular are wicker, rattan, aluminum, steel, plastic, wood, and synthetic wood. If you live in an environment that tends to be very windy, you may want to consider heavier furniture made of steel so that the pieces do not blow around in the wind. If you know you will need to move your furniture frequently, aluminum or plastic are great materials to choose because they are lightweight. All materials have their pros and cons, so make sure to do your research before buying.

Flowers

Bringing life to your backyard with flowers will make all the difference when preparing your outdoor space for summertime. Creating a color scheme using flowers will give your backyard a sense of cohesiveness just like a color scheme does inside your home. Add a few hanging baskets from your roof or flower pots to your stairs to bring color and dimension into the space.

Finishing Touches

Last but not least, you will want to decorate your outdoor space. String lights are a very popular way to create a really fun ambience for summertime parties and gatherings. Hang the string lights from your roof or use poles secured in the ground to hang the lights over your deck or patio. Decor accents like throw pillows, rugs, end tables, and blankets can really take your backyard space to the next level.

Your backyard will most likely be the most popular space at your home this summer, so make sure you prepare now so that you can enjoy a stress-free summer!

Emily Fritsch is an interior decorator, designer, and blogger who helps overwhelmed homeowners and DIYers bring timeless design and function into their space, so they can love their home and the life they are building within it. Follow along with her at liliesandlife.com and over on Instagram!