Warming weather, longer days, sunny afternoons and patio weather are all right around the corner! Which brings up an important question: Is your patio ready? In this blog post, we’ll provide several tips to help you transition your patio from winter to spring, including some essential cleaning suggestions, some ideas for new outdoor furniture to give renewed life to your outdoor space, and a few patio decor considerations to make it all come together.

Follow along with our step-by-step process to ensure that your outdoor patio becomes a beautiful, peaceful spot this spring.

First Things First: A Clean Slate

Your patio has likely been through some harsh winter days since the last time you were able to enjoy it. Take inventory of all the light maintenance you’ll need to take care of as a first step in revamping your space. Start by cleaning your gutters, giving your windows a good scrub and throwing out any potted plants that have wilted or completely dried up.

While you might view cleaning your patio or deck as a hassle, it doesn’t have to be! Because patios are often large — and because they’re constantly exposed to outdoor elements such as mud, dirt and grime — regularly power washing the deck is the fastest way to keep your patio clean and fresh. Instead of hiring someone to do it for you, consider using your own power washer. This way, you can do the washing yourself — a surprisingly satisfying job — and save money that can go toward sprucing up your patio. We have some fantastic name-brand power washers to choose from at Acima MarketPlace.

While you’re freshening things up after the winter frosts, you’ll want to check over the exterior of your home to determine if there is chipped paint that needs retouching, exposed wood that could use a new coat of paint or sealant, or cracks that could be repaired.

Finally, make sure that all of your maintenance equipment is in working order. Get this out of the way at the beginning of the season, so that you can rest easy through the warm months — and so you can focus on keeping your patio and backyard looking beautiful all spring long. If you find that you’re in need of a new lawn mower, weed wacker, edger, sprinkler system or other hardware equipment, now is a great time to shop our name-brand outdoor and tools retailers.

Update Your Furniture

Now the fun really begins! After the outdoor spring cleaning comes the outdoor style revamp, which of course begins with choosing some new outdoor furniture pieces. It’s a new season, with new trends and new styles — why not add a new piece that will put a smile on your face every time you walk outside? In other words, it’s time to treat yourself and your outdoor space.

However, keep in mind that winter weather may be on its way out, but spring weather can still be unpredictable. For this reason, you’ll want to opt for furniture that’s made from weather-resistant materials like teak, aluminum or outdoor synthetics. These materials are not only great for when a spring shower strikes, but they’ll also withstand late cold snaps and unexpected spring freezes. These hardy styles of furniture are also great for the warm months, because of their resistance to the strong UV rays that appear when the spring and summer sun is out.

Don’t get us wrong, we understand that few people have the budget to start fresh every spring and drop money on all-new outdoor furniture. But it’s still a good idea to replace any pieces that have grown rickety or weatherworn over time. Best of all, with Acima leasing, you can get the furniture pieces you need now and make manageable lease renewal payments over time, thanks to our lease-to-own solutions without using credit*. This way, you don’t need cash or credit to pay for outdoor furniture, which means more shopping power for you. You can also save by purchasing the furniture early. Either way, it’s yours to keep. The sooner you do so, the more you’ll save. If you no longer want the furniture, you can return it in good condition at any time without penalty.

The Finishing Touches

Springtime is, of course, synonymous with renewal and rejuvenation. That’s why it’s a great time to consider a few other fun tweaks to your home’s exterior. Here are some ideas: Give your plants a new home with big, bold planters that add design detail and dimension to any outdoor space, while creating a welcoming and lively green space. Install outdoor lights, especially if you like to enjoy your patio when the sun goes down. Illuminate walkways, and draw attention to the edges of your space with outdoor wall sconces and chandeliers. Alternatively, create a fun and magical atmosphere by using a canopy of string lights.

Look for a few new, fun pillow covers that show off your style and elevate your seating area.