It’s that time of year here in the Pacific Northwest when a glorious, summer-like day can come out of nowhere. Given that meeting with friends and family outdoors is still the best option because of Covid-19, I’ve put together five key steps you can take now to ensure your outdoor space is ready for impromptu gatherings on those (soon-to-come!) lovely days.

Step 1: Do an assessment. Start by doing a walkaround of your outdoor area to try and identify issues or problems for which you might need the help of a professional. Spring is a busy time of year for tradespersons, and it’s a good idea to get your service appointments booked early to avoid lengthy delays. Start by looking for any structural issues such as broken or damaged decking or railings as these can present safety hazards. Next, look for signs that your surfaces are ready for a repaint or need to be restained since these are usually bigger projects. Also, check your roof. If your roof needs to be cleaned of debris, it’s a good idea to tackle that task before giving your deck or patio a deep clean since most of the roof debris ends up down below. Next, decide if it’s time to power wash. In Bridle Trails, most of us know that moss spends the winter trying to take over our properties and can make things look dirty and even make surfaces slippery. I have found that a professional steam-clean power wash by a professional firm does the best job of restoring my walkways and driveway to a nearly-new state.

Step 2: Do an inventory. Now that you’ve scheduled any needed maintenance work, pull out the items you’ve had in storage and give them a careful look. Give your grill a deep cleaning and determine if you need any new parts or accessories. Are any of your furniture pieces, rugs, or umbrellas in need of upholstery repairs, paint touch ups, deep cleaning, or mildew/stain removal? Were you thinking of adding or changing any of these items by the end of last season? Now is the time to order these items since lead times have been on the longer side for the past two years due to supply chain challenges. Once you get everything in shape and ready to use, don’t forget to make sure you have protective covers or cushion storage bins ready for these items once you set them out for the season so they stay dry, clean and ready for use. Lastly, if you have a grill or fire table that runs on a propane tank, check to see if you need a replacement.

Step 3: Plan the plants. Evaluate your landscaping to identify any dead plants or problem areas. Decide if you have enough planters and pots to bring color and interest near your seating areas. Next, decide what plants and flowers you want to bring in. Which plants or flowers you choose depends on a variety of factors including exposure to sunlight, how green of a thumb you have, and what colors and overall “look” you are going for. Don’t forget to consider hanging planters to spark visual interest at different eye heights.

Step 4: Check your lights. Our deeply wooded areas here in Bridle Trails mean that it can get very dark as soon as the sun dips below the tree line. Having a well-laid out lighting plan can keep your outdoor gatherings going longer and make it easy and safe for everyone to navigate your property. At dark, take a moment to review your outdoor lighting scheme and look for bulbs that need to be changed. Think about areas that would benefit from new lights, such as pathways, and consider installing string lights over or adjacent to seating areas to create ambiance.

Step 5: Time to accessorize. Now that you’ve tackled all of the big tasks, it’s time to pull your space together by focusing on the finishing touches. Some items to consider implementing into your dining and seating areas are throw pillows, decorative trays, candle holders, lanterns, outdoor wall clocks or décor, and beverage carts/drink dispensers. Since even summer days can feel cool, I like to set out a basket of blankets for guests to use on their laps to keep cozy.

Outdoor spaces can be a labor of love, but it is my hope that once you’ve invested a little time up front, the payoff will be big all spring and summer.