Get ready for the warmer weather by following these simple DIY ideas, and you’ll be relaxing in your very own outdoor retreat in no time!

After a long winter, we can never wait until the warmer months of the year come around. We finally get to start on all those home projects we neglected during the frigid months of winter, when all we wanted to do was cozy up on the sofa in front of a crackling fireplace. But as soon as the temps begin to rise, the snow begins to melt, and the April showers lead to May flowers, we immediately feel the desire to spend as much time as possible outside before the cold inevitably returns. So we decided to put together a list of suggested DIY projects that combine both our eagerness to transition to outdoor living and the necessity of completing some home renovations and repairs. Hopefully these tips will inspire you to spruce up your own exterior living space over the next few months:

• Start by considering the construction or renovation of a deck or patio. During spring and summer this will be an excellent spot to entertain guests, enjoy an al fresco meal, or just rest and relax in the beautiful sunshine. Whatever the intended use, a deck or patio is a great investment for spring and summer and also has high resale value. Before you begin building, though, make sure your home can support that kind of structure. Also, weigh the pros and cons of trying to install a deck or patio on your own. If it seems like too big of a project to tackle by yourself, contact a professional.

• At this time, it would also be a good idea to refinish outdoor surfaces, since they will be seeing a lot of foot traffic in the coming days. Additionally, sunlight can be pretty damaging over years of neglect, so you may just need to roll up your sleeves and “scrape off the old and paint on the new.” For the most part, this is a DIY project, unless you think you will need the extra hands to finish the work more quickly.

• Consider switching to sprinklers if you have only been using a hose to water your garden or yard. A system like that will reduce the overall water needed to keep your lawn or garden looking healthy by up to 50%. This will significantly reduce your water bills and also help to avoid flooding. The great thing about automatic sprinklers is that they can be set to a timing of your convenience, allowing better water distribution and control. You won’t even necessarily need to be home if you schedule a time for your sprinklers to turn on and off in advance. However, you will need to pay a good price to install them, but they will help save a great deal of money in the long run.

• Landscaping is also a very important part of spring and summer projects. It is the fastest and simplest way to make your outdoor living space more interesting and welcoming. Whether you plan on doing more gardening, erecting a new fence, or building a pond, there are numerous easy projects you can complete in a weekend that will have a long-lasting effect on your home’s outdoor appeal. If you’re thinking of taking on a project you haven’t conquered before, though, consider seeking the assistance of a professional just to make sure you can handle it as well as to find out if it’s permitted by law.

• Since a sun-filled summer is also on the horizon, you should think about increasing the amount of shade in your backyard. We know that not every backyard has a large canopying tree, but there are alternatives you can plant that will still provide a significant amount of shade that might be more practical based on your specific space. Remember to consider location and climate when choosing which plants you want to include in your outdoor area. If you are worried that adding more plants to your yard would require too much upkeep, there are many other ways to get good shade, such as building a covered porch or adding some dining sets with umbrellas.

Are you ready for warm weather? How do you plan on upgrading your outdoor space this spring/summer? Let us know in the comments!

A guest post by: Domestic Cleaning Pimlico

About the Author: Cora Carter is a professional writer. She lives in England with her husband and children. She wants to share her experience with her audience. She has many published articles on various topics such as home and garden, real estate, cleaning etc.