Now that warm weather is finally here, I'm ready to spend more time outside at home with my family. Any tips?
"Often times, so much attention is paid to indoor spring cleaning and organizing," says LeAnn Wolf, a professional organizer and the owner of Mind Over Matter (mindovermatterorganize.com) in Little Rock, "but what about the outside?"
"Winter weather can take a nasty toll on our outdoor living spaces; therefore, it's imperative to give these areas just as much TLC as the inside," she explains.
Although the task can seem daunting and overwhelming, it can actually be accomplished easily when a few simple steps are put into place and applied, Wolf says.
Whether preparing for an outside soiree or just getting ready to spend the summer relaxing, dining and enjoying family on the patio, one should aspire for the space to look top-notch and to achieve that goal, Wolf says. She offers the following guidelines to help organize an outdoor area into a functional, beautiful outdoor sanctuary that can be enjoyed for the warmer months to come.
TOP 10 WAYS TO AN ORGANIZED OUTDOOR SPACE
• Begin by hosing down, scrubbing with heavy duty brushes, or pressure-washing patio, decks, porches and windows to remove any pollen, cobwebs, mold and debris. Also, be sure to check gutters and clean them of any blockage.
• Wash, clean and repair patio furniture as needed.
• Clean and apply water sealing protectant to any wooden furniture or decks. Wicker furniture can be wiped with a warm wet cloth and vacuumed; corroded areas on iron furniture can be sanded away and stains can be cleaned with a mild dish soap. Plastic can also be cleaned with dish soap and warm water, while vinegar and hot water work well for cleaning aluminum. Teak furniture should be cleaned with water and dish soap and sealed with a teak protector.
• Freshen up all of the available seating areas by cleaning or replacing cushions, pillows, rugs, draperies and sun umbrellas.
• Remove any dead foliage and also trim or prune trees and shrubs as needed. Also, fertilize the lawn and remove any weeds. Also consider aerating the lawn to encourage the growth of healthy new grass.
• This is a good time to take an inventory of the plants in the backyard and to decide what new plants should be acquired and whether any existing ones should be replaced.
• Add fresh soil and mulch to flower beds and planters. Divide or transplant perennials as they begin to emerge.
• Check the hoses for any possible leaks. Also check sprinkler systems to make sure all valves, lines and automatic timers are operating properly.
• Clean and replace light bulbs in any outdoor fixtures and ceiling fans.
• Clean and assemble the outdoor grill and refill any propane tanks if necessary. Soaking the grates in hot soapy water for about 30 minutes, using steel wool, a scraper or a wire brush, will help in removing any charred food stuck there. Oil should be sprayed on the grills before cooking this summer to make future cleaning easier.
"These steps can be an ultimate game changer when applied to your spring organizing routine," Wolf says. "Give it a try and you'll be on your way to an organized outdoor living space in no time."
-- Linda S. Haymes
Do you have a decorating or remodeling question? We'll get you an answer from an authority. Send your question to Linda S. Haymes, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, Ark., 72203 or email:
HomeStyle on 05/23/2015