Creative ideas to perk up your porch, patio or deck and make it more inviting.

Michigan is blessed with long summer days, giving us more time to enjoy our porches, patios and decks. The most-used outdoor spaces are the ones where it’s comfortable to hang out for a long afternoon or evening. In a word, they’re inviting. Make the most of summertime with these ideas to perk up your outdoor spaces.

Upgrade seating

Outdoor spaces will get more use if there’s comfortable seating. If the frame of your chairs is sturdy, new cushions will give you a plusher place to sit. They’re easier on the eye too. If it’s time to retire your old chairs, consider investing in ones that will last many seasons rather than having to replace cheap seats more frequently.

Add a dining table

One way to get more use out of your deck or patio is by adding a dining table. In addition to being a place to share meals, a dining table is great for playing board and card games, as well as working remotely.

Create a shady place

Some out outdoor spaces get little use because it’s simply too hot in the direct sun. A patio umbrella is a quick and easy way to create shade. Awnings and shade sails require more investment but cover a much larger area.

Set the stage with lighting

Take your lighting from merely functional to an element that sets the stage for fun and relaxation. Overhead string lights are easy to hang and can instantly make your space more useable this summer.

Consider where you might use indirect lighting too. Lights along deck railings, reflected in water features and under stair risers add a soft glow that will encourage you to stay outside longer.

Preserve your privacy

In situations where neighbors are close by or have direct line of sight to your outdoor space, a privacy screen is a good way to create more seclusion. While fencing is an obvious choice, you could also use planters with climbing vines, screens made from old doors connected with hinges and outdoor curtains. If getting creative with screen ideas, make sure they’re secure enough to stand against the wind.

If you start dreaming of bigger changes

You know how it goes; you make a small improvement in your outdoor space and pretty soon you’re imagining more ways to improve your space. Like a pergola, new landscaping or even a pool. To finance bigger projects, take advantage of a home equity line of credit (HELOC) that gives you access to cash when you need it.

Consumers helps more than 2,000 members finance land, first and second homes, and home improvement projects each year. We’d love to help you with a mortgage or home equity line of credit; contact us online or call us at 800-991-2221.