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Ann Arbor Real Estate Blog

Blog about Ann Arbor and Saline Michigan

8 Simple Ways to Get Your Outdoor Spaces Ready for Summer

The weather’s getting warmer, summer is (finally!) just around the corner, and we’re all staying at home more than ever before. If you plan on spending your days relaxing in nature, now is the perfect time to give your outdoor space a little upgrade. And if you’re thinking about selling soon, you might even impress some summer buyers, too.

These Easy Projects Can Totally Transform Your Outdoor Space

You don’t have to spend a lot of money or time to get your outdoor space looking stellar. Here are eight quick, cost-effective DIY projects to help usher your yard, patio, porch, or balcony into the new season. 

Do a little tidying

Gardening supplies

Did you forget to do your spring cleaning? Before you start on any big projects, take some time to tidy up your outdoor spaces. Sweep away any dust on your balcony, patio, or deck, and clean off your furniture. If you have a yard, be sure to clear out any lingering debris, trim back your trees or shrubs, and uproot any pesky patches of weeds.

Perform regular maintenance

Late spring is the perfect time to tackle that maintenance to-do list you’ve been putting off! Although these routine tasks might seem mundane, they’re essential to keeping your outdoor space in tip-top shape. Cleaning out your gutters, spraying for bugs and pests, and powerwashing are just a few common projects that you’ll want to handle before the weather gets too hot. 

Give your lawn some extra attention

Mowing the lawn

There are a few steps you should be taking right now if you want to keep your lawn green all summer long. Aerating and fertilizing during late spring is key to keeping your yard healthy. When you start mowing, be sure to not cut more than one third of the grass height in one sitting. You can prevent this by increasing the blade height on your mower.

Add new landscaping

You don’t have to be a professional landscaper to add some new greenery to your outdoor space—but be sure to do some research before you start planting. Try to select flowers, shrubs, or trees that do well in your area, and consider how much sunlight they’ll get throughout the day. If you have a balcony or patio, incorporating a few potted plants can add a fun (and low-maintenance) splash of color.

Plant a garden

Raised garden bed

Have you always wanted to harvest your own fruits, vegetables, or herbs? Raised plant beds make it easy to create a garden just about anywhere, and they’re an easy DIY project that you can tackle before the summer months. Just build or buy the beds, fill them with soil, pick your plants, and start growing!

Invest in some outdoor furniture

Good patio furniture offers both comfort and function, and just a few updates can transform your outdoor space into a whole new living area. Consider investing in some staple pieces, like a table and chairs or a loveseat, depending on the size of your deck or patio. Many retailers will even ship the furniture straight to your front door. 

Incorporate new lighting

Outdoor string lights

If you want to take advantage of your outdoor space during the day and at night, new lighting might just do the trick. You don’t have to get too fancy (unless you want to!)—simply replacing some fixtures or hanging a strand of trendy string lights will elevate the entire area. If you really want to beat the heat, you might even install an outdoor ceiling fan on your covered patio or deck.

Getting Ready to Buy or Sell This Summer?

Whether you’re thinking about moving next week, next month, or next year, you can trust us to help you navigate every step of the process. We have plenty of buying and selling resources to get you started, so feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We’re always on hand to lend our expertise!

Thoughts?

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