5 quick ideas to perk up your patio for spring

South Africans love the great outdoors and we all have our preferred entertainment set up - where family and friends gather for a braai, snacks around the pool or sundowners on the patio.

With spring fast approaching, how do you ensure your patio remains on-trend, clean and simple?

Alon Sachs, co-founder of Mobelli Furniture + Living, says creating the ultimate outdoor space is easy with the right furniture. He says sun protection is crucial and if your outdoor area is not undercover, an umbrella is definitely a must-have.

He says water-resistant seating will also be quite handy when guests hop straight out of the pool. Know your space - that's key. Feature a piece that makes a statement but avoid large pieces if you have to cram them into a small space.

Try these ideas to create a place for cosy cups of coffee, fun family brunches or heart-to-hearts over a glass of wine late into the night.

1. Clean your patio
A good, thorough cleaning in early spring is the key to happily enjoying your outdoor space for the rest of the year. First, clear all furniture and plants out of the way, then sweep up sand, leaves and debris.
Not only is this an eye-sore, but yard debris can leave permanent stains on wooden patio decks. After removing the debris, wash it with a deck cleaning solution to achieve an even cleaner appearance. With a clean patio, you can begin decorating and preparing it for use this spring.

2. Refresh outdoor furniture
After winter your patio may start looking a bit dull. Freshening up your outdoor furniture doesn't have to be difficult or expensive, all you need are a couple of colourful cushions to bring it back to life. Stick with furniture that's waterproof and able to withstand the spring showers. Cushions for chairs and other seating should also be made of a waterproof material.
Read: 4 easy ways to freshen up your outdoor entertaining areas

3. Comfy and cosy
Sachs says consider smaller pieces of furniture for that cosy look and feel. Smaller pieces can also be moved around easily and because they fit perfectly into a compact space, you can use them to create the illusion of space.

4. Add a splash of colour
According to Builders, nothing brings life to your space quite like plants do. Clustering pots of different sizes can create a sense of interest while still looking harmonious and considered. Choose your colour palette and group flowers so you have a bold splash, and plan it out so that you grow plants with similar feeding and water needs.

5. Sophisticated shade
Karina Palmer, interior designer and marketing director of American Shutters, says important considerations that homeowners should think about when defining their outdoor space are privacy, and shelter from the weather.

One easy and inexpensive way to add privacy to a stoep or patio is to add curtain rails to hang lightweight curtains. In regions that experience windy conditions, such as coastal areas, it's a good idea to tie down or weigh curtains to prevent them from blowing around too much.

Finally
The perfect patio doesn't just happen, it takes some planning plus you need a keen sense of how you'll use it. Try the above special touches to make sure your guests are comfortable.

Article Courtesy Property 24