Serve up the Perfect Summer Space without Breaking a Sweat

Lowe's offers tips for easy, budget-friendly outdoor entertaining projects this season

MOORESVILLE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- It's true that the early bird gets the worm when it comes to outdoor home improvement projects. Prep work done early in the season will help you breeze through the dog days of summer and maximize outdoor enjoyment. By creating spaces that are both inviting and functional, you'll ensure your summer gatherings are fun-filled and worry-free.

Deck out your deck

The deck is the foundation of any outdoor space, but it's also subjected to wet and dry cycles creating swelling and shrinking. Taking the time to restore these outdoor living areas will transform your deck from dismal to dreamy. Using a pressure washer will keep it looking new by quickly removing dirt, mold and mildew. Keep your deck smooth by pressure washing parallel to the grain of the wood to avoid splinters. Attaching a rotating surface cleaner to your machine will help you work less by cleaning your patio four times faster, leaving more time for enjoyment.

Wood left exposed to sun and moisture quickly begins to degrade. Drizzle water onto the boards to see if it's time to seal again. If the water beads, the wood is still sealed and protected. If the water is absorbed, it's time for a treatment. Choose a stain color that matches or complements the siding on your house, such as Rust-Oleum Restore, which is available in 60 color choices.

Picture-perfect patios

Outdoor spaces facilitate fun gatherings with the same quality and style of the indoors. The outdoor room has continued to evolve and now functions as an extension of the indoor space. Lowe's allen + roth(TM) line of patio furniture allows you to mix and match bold colors and patterns to create a personalized look to suit any style. Add an outdoor area rug for a pop of color and added comfort. Layer outdoor lighting, from chandeliers and lighted ceiling fans to string and path lights, to create mood and drama as well as extend entertaining hours well past sunset.

Fire pits can serve as the focal point of any outdoor space, providing added style and functional appeal for entertaining guests during long summer evenings. Design your outdoor room around a fire pit, arranging your patio furniture to create natural areas for seating.

Nature-inspired projects

Outdoor entertaining is a great way to enjoy warm summer nights with both food and fun. By paying attention to the details, you can make your outdoor space a special place. Create a relaxing atmosphere for family and friends with these functional, stylish and clever project ideas:

    --  Decorative herb crate - Spice up your outdoor decor with a wooden
        tabletop crate that holds your favorite herbs for easy access when
        preparing meals on the grill.
    --  Vertical planter bench - This multifunctional bench provides additional
        seating for guests as well as visual interest with flowers. The planters
        suspended above the bench keep the flowers away from curious critters
        and spruce up any wall.
    --  Ornamental butterfly house - Invite nature's guest to the party as well
        by creating a whimsical garden ornament that you can paint or finish to
        suit the color of your home.

For more outdoor entertainment ideas, follow Lowe's on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. Visit the Lowe's How-To Channel on YouTube for more tips on enjoying all that summer has to offer.

ABOUT LOWE'S

With fiscal year 2012 sales of $50.5 billion, Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a FORTUNE^(R) 100 company that serves approximately 15 million customers a week at more than 1,750 home improvement stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's is the second-largest home improvement retailer in the world. For more information, visit Lowes.com.

    Source: Lowe's