With summer here and the possibly of a long season; don’t forget your outdoor space for good living. You probably have a space with a couple of chairs; maybe a table, a few plants in pots; a good start.

If you have a little used space in your back or side yard, why not make it special. If you are lucky enough to have a hard surface already, clean it up, patch cracks and get the weeds out. You can do something as simple as applying a stain to improve the look of plain concrete or add an outdoor rug; remember they are all on sale now. Your space has plain old dirt, consider having some pea gravel delivered, rake it smooth and begin building your outdoor space from there.

Plain patios with concrete floors and dull house colored walls will appreciate a fresh accent wall color and a mirror to reflect your landscape. Let your personality shine through.

Consider how you want to use the space; will you be relaxing with a tall cool beverage and some quiet conversation? All the lighting you’ll need might be a few lanterns or hurricane candles or some tiny indoor/outdoor lights on a string. If you have power in your space, you can add more substantial lighting. Of course if all you want to do is escape the heat of indoors and want to enjoy a good book, a simple book light will suffice.

Take advantage of all the end of summer sales and pick up some new patio furniture. Plant stands make great end tables; use a clay saucer or a left over tile from a project for a top.

And don’t forget your plants, they make our living indoors and out more beautiful and colorful.