Pretty Up Your Patio for Spring & Summer
Spring and Summer come faster to the Desert Southwest than most other parts of the country. Janet Brooks Design is located in the beautiful northeast corner of Scottsdale, Arizona, so we are well aware that residents of this area and in fact, all people in the greater Phoenix area, are just about prepared for summer now. This is the time of year where the wonder of indoor and outdoor living come together. Pools are readied, grills and outdoor kitchens are tidied up and patios are swept to prepare for the season.
We like to think that we can help you out by recommending a few tips to prepare and then enhance your outdoor areas to better enjoy the season. Let’s start the fun by doing the prep work. Not the most enjoyable part but we need to clean, maintain and evaluate before the design gets going. Clearing and cleaning your patio surface, sweeping and washing the area including any walls, mulch or rocks is the best place to start.
Cleaning and maintaining your outdoor furniture is next. Wash any coverings and spray and scrub any of your metal, wood or composite furniture with mild detergent, cloths and brushes. Rinse with a garden hose. After cleaning, treat any wooden furniture or pieces with an oil or treatment meant for that particular type of wood. If you have a grill, make sure to check for leaks or holes and replace if needed. Scrub and clean the cooking surface and don’t forget to clean your utensils. If you happen to have an outdoor kitchen, carefully clean and scrub all the surfaces with the items and solutions that the manufacturers recommend.
Go through any storage areas in the patio, kitchen or grill area and check that you are stocked and operational for the outdoor seasons. Restock your fuel if needed, whether propane, charcoal or wood – now’s the time to load them up. Next insure any coverings, umbrellas and or awnings are cleaned, operational and maintained. Check for any hiding pests. It is the time to test anything that opens and retracts. It is nice if they are functional and make sure to repair any items that have become tattered or weathered.
Now the fun part. Evaluate – take a look at what items need to be replaced, see what you would like to add and then do it. Minimally, cozy up and pretty up with some nice outdoor rugs, with matching 3-D art, plants and accessories that will make you happy. Desert plants are a must and terra cotta or other matching planters are a really pair nice. Spruce up any existing plants and then even add some more to liven up and pretty up an area. A nice outdoor rug will add comfort and color and protection to your space. Match the area rug to some new comfortable outdoor furniture. Add some beautiful and colorful cushions and pillows for seating and lounging comfort. Use your best design judgement, have some fun, check out some examples that we have in our portfolio section and go to town making your space comfortable and beautiful.
We are seeing now – the southwest trends have come back nationally. The desert or southwestern design and style are back even stronger now. So use our site as a guide to your design. It is the 2023 trend and has replaced the “whites and greys” that had been the most recent fad in high-end design. The desert palette which had become an accent and almost and after thought, is now back to being the style, the design and the theme.
If you are looking to have a design team that owns professional interior design with southwestern flair, style and care – the staff here at Janet Brooks Design will be happy to talk to you about your next interior design need or project. Call us – we would be happy to walk you through the process.
Contact our design experts today so we can create a design plan that fits your budget as well as your dreams. We are passionate about the interior design process, specializing in the creation of very personal luxury homes in exclusive locations.
