Getting Ready for Outdoor Living
“BEHR® sponsored this blog post. The opinions and photos are all mine”
May is a favorite time of the year for me…..it marks consistent warmer weather which means outdoor living for my family.
Our screened porch is a way to bring the indoors out. It's an extension of our living area.
Most mornings and nights, you'll find the French doors open. I love hearing the wildlife in the back yard. Most likely, you'll find our dogs have wandered out to the porch to enjoy the fresh air.
It's important to me to keep this area clean and inviting; not only for us, but guests.
The screened porch is decorated with many items you'd find inside. I use books, plates, candles, and lots of shells from summer stays at the beach to name a few.
Each spring a fair amount of maintenance goes into prepping the porch for outdoor living. We lightly pressure wash the floor and columns. Being shady, it is necessary to remove the grime and mold that builds up during the off-season.
I bring the accessories inside, and clean them at the sink. The hanging lanterns get cleaned with glass cleaner. HINT: I spray a bit of bug killer that lasts months once I have cleaned them to ward off summer visitors. It keeps me from having to clean them too much.
We rinse and wash the cushions and furniture. No one wants to sit on dirty furniture that is caked with spring pollen. Oh, the pollen in the south!
I also take the outdoor rug onto the patio and scrub it with a brush and let it dry hanging over the fence. I know this must sound like tons of work. These upfront efforts make for wonderful enjoyment summer through fall.
One very important part of getting your outdoor space ready for outdoor living is evaluating the floors whether it be wood or concrete. You can decorate and clean all you want, but if your surface is weathering, it can really bring down your efforts a bit.
BEHR DeckOver can bring new life back to your wood, composite and concrete surfaces. It can be used on horizontal and vertical surfaces.
These 2 chairs and ottoman are right off of our master bedroom. It's a great spot to read with a cold glass of iced tea.
Most nights are spent eating our meals on the porch with the dogs at our feet hoping something might fall. Ceiling fans overhead keep the breeze going on warm evenings. This is also a favorite spot to work on my blog or real estate during the day. It's my favorite work from home spot.
Adding string lights to a porch in this manner is magical at night whether you are on the porch or patio. Just hang them in this scallop, draping fashion.
Don't be afraid to decorate you outdoor spaces with used items found on shopping hunts.
Using a 100% acrylic formula, BEHR DeckOver conceals cracks and splinters up to ¼” deep, with a splatter-resistant application that dries much faster than traditional stain. It’s available in 54 solid custom colors. Color matching is also available. That's a lot of colors!
The color choice selection is something I find amazing! Now you can easily coordinate your flooring to your decor. I love a grey painted porch floor. It's very southern. It goes with everything and doesn't show dirt.
As a result of using BEHR DeckOver, your space is fresh and new. You are left with a surface that is low-maintenance that resists the elements, repels water and creates a smooth, slip-resistant finish. It also resists cracking and peeling against harsh weather conditions. It is comfortable for bare feet.
The advanced formula creates a durable smooth coating to revitalize tired decks, patios, porches and pool decks (even when previously stained).
The patio area which is just off the screened porch is an extension of our outdoor living. Our teens and their friends frequent around the fire-pit.
With our citronella candles lit, we enjoy eating on the patio as well. This is great for BBQ get-togethers for extra seating.
See how the string lights not only give atmosphere to the porch, but the exterior as well.
We purchased an inexpensive badminton set last year. I highly recommend one. It is instant fun. Of course, I wasn't too crazy about my newly sewn pillows being used as lines for the match.
I hope you are inspired to get your outdoor living space spruced up for summer fun. Do you have a surface that could use revitalizing?
I highly recommend looking into BEHR DeckOver. You will find it at your local Home Depot.
Check out all BERH has to offer for your home painting needs.
Make note that BEHR DeckOver will not cover all damage and is not recommended for use on garage floors and driveways.
You can see a few beautiful BEHR DeckOver makeovers HERE.
See it in action with the video below.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BEHR®. The opinions and text are all mine.
