Have you ever sat back and wondered “how can I make my patio look better”? It can certainly become one of those areas where things are stored, waiting to be put away, and if you have children, your patio invariably becomes a storage area for toys and bikes.

With spring comes more time spent outdoors. If you have a patio at home, why not give it a makeover to make it more comfortable, more attractive and a place where you can just sit back and relax?

Giving your patio a makeover doesn’t need to be expensive – in fact there are some extremely easy and affordable ways to give your patio a new look and a new lease on life.

Add a little shade

If your patio is uncovered or the roof has seen better days, upgrading is a great way to add a new life to this outdoor area. A shade sail is an easy option and they come in a range of colours to suit the aesthetic of your home. Gazebos are another great option and, unlike shade sails, they are generally waterproof, allowing you to use your outdoor area in any weather. There are both permanent and semi permanent gazebo options available to suit your needs.

Umbrellas are another great option, bringing a beachy feel to your Mount Gambier home. The benefit of an umbrella is that they can be moved to protect your patio from the sun in whichever direction it is coming from.

Bunnings at Mount Gambier has a huge range of shade options for your outdoor patio.

Light me up

If you have previously avoided using your patio at night because of a lack of light, there are plenty of easy solutions! Statement pendants are a great way to go if you host a lot of dinner parties, as are string lights. For those preferring to sit outside for a family dinner, outdoor fans with LED light fixtures or garden globes are the perfect choice.

If you’re considering using your patio on the cooler Mount Gambier nights, patio heaters are the optimal choice.

A green space

Greenery will always bring life to an outdoor space, and even if you don’t have a lot of space for garden pots, trellises can be used for climbing plants. Some of the fastest growing and best climbing plants for a patio space include:

• Banksia Rose
• Bridal Wreath
• Star Jasmine
• Passionfruit
• Creeping Fig

If you prefer native plants, the Native Pea Climbers (Fabaceae family), passionflowers, and the Old Man’s Beard make for some lovely surroundings.

If you prefer to use pots and garden beds, ponytail palms, bromeliads, twiggy bush pea, and native lilac are all great options.

Comfortable furniture

An outdoor space needs comfortable seating, whether that be a small table and chairs to kick back with a glass of wine, or an outdoor dining table for meals and parties (or maybe both!).

When choosing furniture, take the time to consider where it will sit and whether your patio will be covered with a waterproof roof. For those areas that aren’t waterproof, you may want to consider timber furniture and a storage box for cushions, while for those with an undercover patio, choosing furniture with cushioning or covers will certainly help to bring a sense of comfort and style.

Eddies Furniture in Mount Gambier has a great range of outdoor furniture and is well worth a browse!

Outdoor dining

If your patio space could really do with a spruce up, why not turn it into a stylish and comfortable alfresco dining area? This option is on the more expensive side, but a good quality alfresco dining area can look fantastic and will certainly entice you to use your outside area more.

While it can get quite chilly here on the Limestone Coast, there are certainly some ways that you can still use your patio area year round through the use of fire pits, outdoor heaters and patio heaters.

Some things to think about when turning your patio into an alfresco dining area include:

• Installing a BBQ hub or a permanent cooking space
• Maximising the indoor/outdoor flow with sliding or stacking doors
• Optimising the location (i.e dining by the pool)
• Redo the flooring with a practical non-slip option that still looks great
• Install some storage
• Use stylish outdoor rugs, blankets, and cushions to make the space comfortable
• Choose a dining option that allows you to seat everyone

Talk to us

Have you been thinking about selling your Mount Gambier home? Did you know that a stylish patio space can add value to your home? Contact the friendly team at Complete Real Estate to find out how you can make your home more attractive to buyers.