As the weather gets warmer and the sun stays out for longer periods of time, we get the urge to spend more times outdoors. The spring is a great time to prepare your outdoor living area, so that you can relax for the rest of the summer months. What are some ways that you can increase your comfort and the appeal of your outdoor area? Consider these home improvement suggestions.

Hire a professional landscaping company

When your grass is long and your weeds are growing out of control, you do not want to spend much time outdoors. Your guests will also not feel very relaxed. Hiring a professional landscaping company can guarantee that you are ready for both relaxing and entertaining. Instead of coming home after a long work day and having to cut the grass, you can simply lounge back and relax. Figure out how quickly your grass grows and schedule appropriately with your landscaping company of choice.

Build a patio or deck

Patios and decks encourage people to spend more time outdoors. Patios are so desirable today that houses with patios are moving the market. Some 96,000 houses with patios were sold in 2014, up from 59,000 houses in 2010. A patio allows you to design the area with outdoor furniture, house plants, and a BBQ. You can also create a patio or deck out of many different materials. Pour some concrete for a basic patio. Hire a professional deck installer for a wooded deck space. You can even fancy up your current concrete with concrete overlay patterns. Match the concrete overlay patterns with the designed colors of the area.

Renovate and upgrade all sidewalks and driveways

Your sidewalks and driveways affect your curb appeal significantly. They tend to crumble and crack over the years. When you repair or replace them, consider upgrading for a nicer overall look. You can use concrete overlay patterns or stamped concrete colors for a unique look. Decorate concrete is a simple process that adds value to your house. In fact, decorative concrete often ends up being less expensive compared to using natural stone, brick, or pavers. It ranges from $4 a square foot for plain to $15 and up, per square foot for stamped, colored, or aggregate.

You might also be surprised to learn that concrete is even used in the design of luxury homes. In seven of the nine geographical regions identified in a study, poured concrete is the most commonly used outdoor surface material in luxury home construction coming in ahead of concrete pavers and natural stone. You can achieve a luxurious look with your concrete by using concrete overlay patterns or specifically designed stamps for concrete.

Create a screened in area

Some of the most common causes for discomfort in an outdoor setting are excessive bugs or extremely high temperatures. When you create a screened in area, you are able to spend more time outdoors. The roof gives you shade from the sunlight. The mesh or tented walls give you shelter from outdoor bugs. You can even bring in plants from outdoors and design the flooring with cement stamping techniques to enjoy more of the outdoors. You also have the option of creating a permanent outdoor screened area, or going with something that is more temporary.

People tend to spend much more time outdoors in the summer months than compared to any other season. The sun is shining, the temperatures are warm, and there are many summer activities to engage in. Yet, there are things that can make your outdoor relaxation time less than pleasant. Overgrown grass, excessive bugs, and high heat levels can affect your outdoor time. This spring, begin planning your household for the perfect outdoor entertaining space. Create a deck or patio out of stamped concrete designs, build an enclosed outdoor area, and hire a professional landscaping company.