After one of the most challenging winters in living memory, the promise of summer has Melburnians excited, just as we are coming out of restrictions. With lovely weather on our side, it’s time to freshen up our outdoor spaces and create our own summer sanctuary, a space to enjoy the sunshine and outdoors.
Spring clean your outdoors
Before summer arrives in your garden, courtyard or balcony, a little TLC is essential. Get out (or invest in) a pressure washer, which makes cleaning decking, tiles, weatherboards and bricks quick and easy. Cleaned windows, pathways, and outdoor furniture, along with tidied, pruned and fertilised gardens beds and pots plants, ensure an inviting and good-looking space.
Invest in shading
Everyone needs a shady spot to entertain so that those summer hours can be wiled away outdoors. Here’s hoping small gatherings in our yards will soon be a reality, but in any case, an umbrella, shade sail or outdoor shading system is a must-have for comfort and usability.
Give your outdoor area a mini-makeover
Overseas holidays are pressed on pause, so why not bring the holiday vibe to you? Potted plants are a relatively inexpensive and high-impact way to change a space’s look. Fancy a tropical feel? Specimens such as the Elephant’s Ear and Birds Nest Fern add instant green and a soothing rainforest ambience. For a Mediterranean mood, terracotta pots filled with olive and citrus trees, as well as lavender and rosemary, will transport you to Italy or Spain.
Add accessories
Depending on your budget, the options for adding interest and style are immense, from the simple (cushions, lanterns, fairy lights, tablecloths and trays) to the more elaborate (hanging chairs, couches, rugs, fire pits and outdoor kitchens). Sometimes, it’s as simple as adding colourful cushions or a comfy chair to make your garden or balcony sing.
Thanks to a rejuvenated and refreshed outdoor space, you could feel like you’ve booked a holiday in your own home.
