This Morning: David Domoney gives advice on cleaning your patio
To make sure patios are ready for the summer months, Mike Head at Atlas Ceramics, has provided five top tips on the best way to prepare the area.
1. Start with a good clean
Patios are likely to have been neglected in the winter, meaning it is super important to give patios and decking a thorough clean, even if they have been used recently.
The expert said: “To start, remove any clutter, dirt and debris with a good sweep. Next up is tackling stains, grime and overgrown weeds.
“Pull out any weeds that have grown between the gaps of your paving, sweep leaves and dirt away from any decking, and give any overgrown bushes a trim.”
Finally, give the patio a jet wash or a sweep using washing up liquid or a specialist cleaner before letting it dry.
2. Spruce up the space
If planning on sprucing up a patio space to host, it is then important the space is comfortable, meaning a good seating area is ideal.
The pro explained: “You can add that little bit of luxury with decorative cushions and pillows. Make sure you choose sturdy outdoor materials for your table too, such as wicker and rattan, as they won’t bend, warp, or rot, even in the winter months.
“Whilst sprucing up your patio space it’s important to ensure the appropriate flooring, making sure you have durable outdoor tiles or decking for your needs.
“We recommend stone effect porcelain tiles, for a sleek, effortless look, which most furniture pieces can go with. If you’re looking for a bigger statement for your patio, try lava stone anthracite tiles.”
According to the expert, lavastone is set to be a big trend for the summer and can help to create a relaxing ambience with mood lighting.
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3. Incorporate landscaping
Landscaping is a great way to rejuvenate patios and garden spaces for the summer point, with a good starting point being the patio.
Raised borders are a good way to add depth and texture, while incorporating a seamless pathway from a patio to the rest of the garden can help to tie everything together.
The patio pro recommended garden features or water features to help highlight the garden, especially the pathways.
4. Experiment with lighting
Mike continued: “Patios and outdoor spaces are enjoyed long into the summer nights, so it’s important you have appropriate lighting for entertaining your guests and creating a lovely ambience in your garden.
“Simple tricks, such as outdoor string lights hung from fences and trees can really go a long way, but don’t be afraid to experiment with lighting either.
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“If your patio is in a smaller area, try to create more light by hanging outdoor mirrors on surrounding walls and fences, to create the illusion of a bigger and wider space.”
5. Add plants
Adding some fresh potted plants to patios and decking can really “brighten the space up”. Make sure to experiment with an assortment of pots containing shrubs, herbs and even trees.
Adding an assortment can help to add great pops of colour and can be “inexpensive” to do too. The expert noted: “You don’t have to go all out, a hanging basket or a few pots of flowers by the front step will do the trick.
“A final, but important step to tie everything together is regularly mowing your lawn. A well-kept lawn is the final touch to creating your perfect patio space for the summer.
“But, remember to maintain your lawn as often as possible in the summer heat, this will help avoid it drying out.”
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