As it starts to head towards the summer months, it’s natural to start thinking about backyard get-togethers and dinners outside. If you want to create a truly special space, get to work on your overgrown, moss-covered patio and transform it into a luxurious area that you will want to spend as much time in as possible. Not sure how? Keep reading for four top ways to transform your patio.

1.   Give it a scrub

Boring, but pretty essential. Your patio is only going to look its best once you’ve given it a good clean and got rid of all the weeds. Start by pulling up any weeds that are growing in between the paving slabs. This is easier on a wet day because it’s easier to get the roots to come out with the weed. Make sure that you wear gloves to avoid any possible reactions. If there is moss in between paving slabs and bricks, you can use a tool to dig it out.

Once the weeds are gone, give your patio and brickwork a clean. A pressure washer works well on the stones themselves, and you can get specialist grout cleaning tools to help you tackle the areas in between bricks. Check out arbourlandscapesolutions.co.uk for everything you need for a patio that’s squeaky clean!

2.   Upgrade your pots

Plants in pots are a great way to add a splash of color and greenery to your patio without having to commit to a full-on border! Pots are also great because you can move them around whenever you need to or when you just fancy a change. If you already have pot plants, it’s important to check on them every so often to make sure that they haven’t outgrown their pots. You can tell that your plant needs a bigger pot when:

• The soil condition isn’t looking as good as it once did and has become dry.
• The plant doesn’t seem to be absorbing water.
• You can see roots in the drainage holes. This is the plant trying to expand.
• It looks as though it’s taking up all of the room in the pot.

Getting new pots for your plants will immediately make your patio look better, particularly if you spend some time finding pots that add a pop of style and color.

3.   Make the most of shady corners

The shady corner of patios often goes unused. It’s not great for plants, and nobody wants to sit in it! Make the most of that shady corner by seeking out some plants that like the shade, like Japanese maples or hollies.

4.   Treat yourself to new patio furniture

Finally, make your patio the place to be by treating yourself to some great new patio furniture! This can include a new table, chairs, benches, ottomans or even a custom fire pit to keep you cosy on colder nights. Remember soft furnishings too, like blankets, throws and scatter cushions that you can quickly place for some splashes of colour. This will make your patio more comfortable and will help guests to stay warm if the temperature drops – just don’t leave it all out in the rain!

You don’t have to spend a fortune, either. You can make some amazing and unique pieces of backyard furniture by upcycling things like old packing crates and pallets. Or, you could scour places like eBay and Facebook marketplace for second-hand furniture and then make it into what you want by giving it a sand and a coat of paint.