Perk-Up PATIO

Article and Photos by Renata Haidle

Revamping an old-fashioned area of your home doesn't have to be a complicated and costly affair. Especially when it comes to outdoor spaces like decks or patios, a bit of research and creativity go a long way in designing something that feels new again.

The Background

A fresh coat of paint is a well-known trick to change the looks of any fixture. We applied the same idea to our main deck - a decade-old red cedar structure that had aged well with only honey-tinted coatings applied every other year. We gave it a brand-new look after sanding it and applying a couple of coats of dark charcoal paint. While it looked great right after finishing the paint job, there is one drawback we have to deal with constantly: water droplets will leave their marks every time it rains, and dust is much more visible on this charcoal background than it ever was on the honey-colored finish.

The Rug

After the furniture was in place, I looked for an outdoor rug to complete the look. This was one of the most difficult choices, as I didn't have a specific print in mind. The black and white striped washable rug seemed to have the modern, contemporary look I was after. Easy to clean and light enough to pack and store on stormy days, it was a good choice that didn't disappoint.