As the weather heats up, many Australians look forward to spending more time in the great outdoors. At home, this can mean spending the weekends relaxing in the backyard.
As the weather heats up, many Australians look forward to spending more time in the great outdoors. At home, this can mean spending the weekends relaxing in the backyard. Have you looked at how well your veranda has kept up over the winter months? Is it “summer ready”? It may have gotten a little less care during the colder months, but not to worry. There are a few simple tricks that can be used to instantly revitalise your veranda, whether it be at the front of the home to welcome guests or at the back for entertaining.
Outdoor curtains
Curtains aren’t normally considered an item for the outdoors, but they can actually work well to increase privacy and soften the look of any outdoor area. Whether you want them to be used as a privacy screen or you just need something to add a little flair, various types of materials of curtain can be used, depending on your needs. They certainly add some great charm factor to your outdoor area.
Black pergola
If you want something a little bold and different, adding a pergola coloured in black may be just what you need. Black is always a striking colour to use in and around the home and doesn’t necessarily make the home look darker as one may expect. The black colouring can often add a striking look and when matched with other greenery, can really stand out and make your home look very modern.
Rustic sofa swing
There’s nothing better than relaxing outdoors. If you can lay down on a swinging seat whilst doing so, even better. By adding a swinging seat to your veranda, you’ll be able to relax easily and quickly. You can add a quick rustic feel by adding rope entwined around the attachments for an instant country feel. Add some cream coloured cushions and you’ll be relaxed (or asleep!) in no time at all!
Step lights
As you stay outside for longer, you may slowly find yourself watching the sunset and sensing the darkness start to take over. A great safety precaution is to add lights to your outdoor steps. For any guests entering the home, or leaving after an entertaining afternoon, having your steps lit up can add a beautiful, soft atmosphere, but will also ensure that no-one falls down any steps or gets hurt. These are relatively easy to install and you may also find solar powered versions that simply stick to your steps to be the easiest DIY option available.
Ceiling fans
Ceiling fans are usually only thought of to be installed in the interior of a home, but they can work very well outdoors, too. As the sweltering summer settles in, there are days where you may need a little extra breeze, even when you’re outside. Ceiling fans in outdoor areas around entertainment patios or verandas can help to keep things cool and to allow airflow to enter the home a lot easier. They don’t have to be boring either. There are plenty of various styles and colours on the market, so you’ll definitely be able to find a ceiling fan to match your home’s’ look and feel.
Make it comfortable
If it isn’t a comfortable place to be or sit, no one is going to sit there. Make your veranda the perfect place to be by adding comfortable seating. Either add some new seating arrangements, or even add some new cushions to existing seating. Even adding a side table for a coffee to be sat upon or a dining table to enjoy light meals in the warm weather, making the verandah comfortable will mean it gets more use.
Add some more lighting
Even though in the summer months you might not see the darkness until rather late into the evening, you may want to consider adding some more lighting. Not only does this add some great ambience to your verandah, it’s also ideal to keep your veranda safe. Depending on the light shades you use and the style of the lighting, you can either make the veranda look modern and striking or country and cosy. The choice really is yours. You can easily customise the look of your outdoor area, simply by changing up the lighting you use.
Add some screening
If you want a little more privacy or some protection from bugs and other insects, screening may be a good choice. This is also ideal if you wish to add a new room to the home, as it can be used during the colder winter months as well. Screens can either be made of glass and/or wooden panels to create more of a “room” feel. The doors and windows can either be opened up completely in the warmer months, or kept closed to create a sunroom experience. This means the space can be utilised all year round.
Whether you want a new room, a new entertaining area for the summer, to revitalise your verandah space or to add a new place to sit all year round, there are plenty of simple options for your verandah to make it like new. You don’t need to spend a fortune and there are plenty of options for whatever your budget is. As the summer starts to creep in, set up your verandah to be the perfect relaxing spot on warm days and afternoons.
