Eight Ways to Enjoy Your Deck Before Summer Ends

Summer in the Pacific Northwest is on its way out, but there are still a few nice days left to enjoy your cedar deck. Here are a few ideas to help you get some last-minute backyard relaxation:

1. Enhance the seating. Add comfy, padded seat cushions to your outdoor furniture to make your deck more alluring for lounging and chatting with friends or family. Take your moments of leisure outside as much as possible while you still can.

2. Bring out colorful fabrics. As the weather begins to cool, a colorful throw rug might provide just the warmth and comfort you need to continue relishing your cedar or composite deck as much as possible. Include a water-resistant tablecloth to help brighten up the space and recapture the fading colors of summer.

3. Include outdoor lighting. The days are getting shorter, but that doesn't mean your outdoor time has to. Add some illumination to your deck, such as tiki torches, lanterns, solar-powered lamps and Citronella candles, to help enhance the waning sun.

4. Bring your garden closer. Cedar and composite decking materials are made to be water-resistant, so don't shy away from adding potted plants to your deck. A simple combination of herbs and annuals can enhance your outdoor pleasure with delightful scents and colors. As an added bonus, your potted plants can easily be brought inside or under cover during the harsh winter weather.

5. Bring electronic entertainment outside. Any time you spend on your laptop, cell phone or listening to the stereo can also be spent out on your deck. you'll have all winter to check your email indoors -- grab a portable radio and your latest electronic device and head outside to take advantage of the sun.

6. Have an end-of-summer barbecue. Whether or not you own a grill, invite some friends over for an outdoor meal. If you don't have the time or inclination to cook a big feast, ask everyone to contribute a dish for a potluck.

7. Have an astronomy party. Print out some pictures of constellations from the Internet and have everyone lie down and try to spot them. (Your rug and seat cushions will come in handy here.) In most Northwest locations, you can typically see at least a few regardless of the time of night. Try making up your own and giving them names.

8. Put on an ice cream party for the kids. Dish up the ice cream in the kitchen and then send them outdoors to add whatever toppings they like. Offer unusual treats such as raisins, cereal or popcorn. With the durability of cedar decks and composite decking materials, don't worry if anyone makes a mess -- a simple hose down, and all should be good as new.

~Ben Anton, 2010

Find more information about cedar deck maintenance and design at the Rick's Fencing website for fencing and decking materials and installation for Northwest homes.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.