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While stuck inside doing nothing during the snowstorms last winter, you probably thought of a handful of outdoor projects you’d rather be doing. Well, your boredom has been answered. Spring is officially upon us, so it’s time to pull out those gardening gloves and your handy toolbox. Warner Service is helping you tackle your first project: updating a rundown patio. Here are a few of our best tips on how to get the job done:

Choose a solid foundation. Hopefully, your patio will get tons of use during the warmer months, so make sure it’s made of a durable, well-placed foundation. Choose stone for a slip-resistant, water-permeable surface. It also looks more earthy and natural. You could also go with clay pavers for a classic style that maintains superior color, no matter the season. Whatever you choose, make sure you get a professional’s help.

Light it up. A little bit of lighting goes a long way. A few LED lights can transform the look of your patio, and they help prevent accidents when walking at night. No more stubbing your toes!

Upgrade your cooking game. An outdoor kitchen is the ultimate warm weather convenience. You get to make good food and enjoy the nice weather, so pick a reliable grill, or purchase the popular Big Green Egg, which triples as a grill, smoker and oven.

Create a focal point. One way to make sure your patio doesn’t become cluttered with your kids toys or old gardening tools is to create a focal point. You can have a water feature like a rock column fountain or a rain garden, or, if you want something a little more daring, install a fire pit or a fire table. Everybody likes fire, but if the natural elements aren’t your thing…

Go with color. Bright pillows or cushions on a large piece of rustproof patio furniture are an easy, inexpensive way to make everything look brand new. You can also play up your focal point with textiles to add a little flair, just as long as the fabric is fade-resistant. You can even add a coziness factor by storing some blankets or hanging a light curtain.

Play up your angles. To make your patio seem bigger, add a window-framed mirror. It’ll give the illusion that your patio extends farther than it actually does. You can also draw eyes upward by utilizing the overhead space. Build a garden arbor to hang glass globes, bird feeders or houses or wind chimes. This will give the illusion that your patio has more space than it really offers.

Add greenery. Even though your patio is outside, it may not be getting the green love it deserves. Plant an herb garden, or uses vertical-hanging pots to save space. Adding sunflowers will also make your patio seem bigger because they grow so tall, and the eyes are drawn upward like we mentioned before. With a touch of green, your patio will feel livelier, and watering the plants will give you a good excuse to go outside.

Now that the weather is finally cooperating, it’s time you go out and enjoy it. Begin checking off that spring to-do list by updating your rundown patio using our simple tricks. A splash of color here, a potted plant there, and your patio will be looking brand new before you know it.

If you'd like to check another spring chore off your to-do list, contact Warner Service today for a spring maintenance check-up. 

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