There’s something about spring that makes you want to fling open the doors, breathe in the fresh air and give your home a good old reset.
After months of rain, mud and hunkering down indoors, a little effort now can set you up for an enjoyable spring and summer. Here are the tasks worth tackling – a mix of practical jobs and small upgrades you can do yourself, which will make a big difference.
Where possible, rope someone else in to help – with good company, music blasting and the sun on your back, it can almost be classed as fun. Here’s how to revive your outdoor space for the warmer months.
1. Clear the gutters and downpipes
It might not be glamorous, but this one is non-negotiable. Over autumn and winter, gutters fill with leaves, twigs and the occasional tennis ball that, before long, can block up completely. That means water spilling where it shouldn’t, with the potential for flooding and even damage to your roofline or foundations.
Clearing your gutters now saves costly problems later, and it only takes an hour or two. While you’re up the ladder, check downpipes are flowing freely, too – a quick spray with the hose will do the trick.
2. Deep clean with water
Decks, patios, paths and outdoor furniture take a beating through the wet months. A water blaster is your best friend for stripping away moss, mould, bird poop and grime – not only does it make things look better, but it stops walkways from becoming slippery and dangerous (especially on those late nights).
If you’ve got quite a bit of green showing, it might pay to start with a spray to knock everything back. If you still have energy and are feeling trigger-happy, continue with fences and clearlite roofs that need a wash. Then, turn down the pressure and give your home a gentle exterior wash to clear away dust, cobwebs, and mildew.
Follow it up with a spider spray if they’re a problem where you live. While you’ve got the hose and brush out, give windows and screens a good scrub and let that summer light pour in.
3. Review, install or upgrade outdoor lighting
Nothing quite elevates an outdoor space like good lighting. The right lighting can have your home looking like a magical wonderland when the sun sets – and it’s downright helpful when you’re eating alfresco or showing guests to their car at the end of the night.
Take note of the areas where your property is very dark, where you need to turn your phone torch on to navigate, and which of your garden features could be highlighted, then make a plan. Festoon lights strung from fence to fence or under a veranda, fairy lights wrapped around tree trunks, spotlights shining up into established greenery, solar lights placed along a pathway, or task lights fixed to fencing for a practical glow – it’s surprisingly easy to give your place a literal glow-up. Get an electrician in for the bigger stuff, or head to your local big-box store for simple plug-and-play options.
4. Get ready for outdoor entertaining
This is the season when your outdoor space comes into its own – give it a quick makeover now and you’ll thank yourself later. Start with the basics: scrub down your barbecue, check the gas bottle and clean or replace worn tools so you’re ready to host at a moment’s notice. Take it up a level with a dedicated barbecue caddy – add paper towels, oil, tongs, a platter for cooked meat, and your barbecue chef is good to go.
Refresh timber decks, fences, outdoor furniture and the exterior of spas with a coat of stain or paint to protect them for the hot months ahead – never underestimate the impact of a freshly painted black fence or a newly oiled table.
Next, check your shade: clean down your umbrella, replace the canopy if it’s looking tired, or consider investing in a new one. The bigger the better, for umbrellas. And if you want to make evenings stretch out longer, add a firepit or outdoor heater – it’s the kind of upgrade that makes your place the go-to spot for friends once the sun dips. A few small jobs now mean you can switch into host mode easily, without scrambling when guests are on their way.
5. Create a warm welcome
Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be all hard graft – it’s also the perfect time to add small touches that make it a pleasure to return home. Replace that tired front-door mat, paint or stain your front door for a fresh look, add a cool piece of outdoor art if it suits your home’s aesthetic and even consider a keyless door lock for a sleek finish and no more issues with lost keys.
Potted plants are another easy win. They soften an entrance and are perfect for hiding ugly drainpipes. Pop substantial-sized pots either side of your door and plant with spring bulbs or hydrangeas for colour,
or opt for standard bay trees or iceberg roses for a more formal look. If you prefer lush greenery, go bold with bird of paradise, banana palm, or the Philodendron xanadu. Sticking to the design rule of three – a cluster of different-sized pots, in the same colour – always looks chic. If you already have pots, treat them to new soil and check their root health while you’re at it.
Spring is about shaking off the cobwebs – literally and figuratively. By tackling these five key tasks, you’re not only protecting your home but also creating spaces you can enjoy once summer arrives. Do the hard mahi now, and the reward is all those long, easy, barefoot evenings to come.
