As we head into warmer weather and start to spend more time outside, you may feel motivated to refresh those outdoor spaces that have been forgotten in the colder months. We’ll cover the documented health benefits for spending time outdoors. I’ll share ways to update your garden, patio, or decks, whether that means a complete overhaul or making a few small changes that can still impress. If you have lost someone important to you, consider including memorial keepsakes in your outdoor refresh as a way to honor those loved ones. laurelbox has options that not only memorialize loved ones, but also add peace and tranquility to any outdoor space.

It should be common knowledge that fresh air and time spent outdoors have a myriad of health benefits. One such study published in 2018 looked specifically at the health benefits of the great outdoors and how greenspace exposure impacted people. Some of their findings include: 

• Greenspace exposure was associated with wide ranging health benefits across 143 included studies.
• Meta-analysis showed statistically significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure, salivary cortisol and heart rate.
• Meta-analysis found statistically significant decreases in incidence of diabetes, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality.

Bottom line, green is good! Whether you have a large backyard, a moderate size deck, a full garden or a small balcony, prioritizing summer cleaning of your outdoor spaces and freshening up those spaces are a great way to kick off summer. 

I have a problem, just ask my husband. I need to be outside. Going to eat somewhere? Seat me on the patio please! Meeting a friend for coffee? I found an outside bench for us. Doing some work on my laptop? I’ll squint in the sun trying to read my screen for far too long until I finally admit it’s too bright and go inside, slightly defeated. I think it stems from my decade working at a fast-paced cable news job where I sat for almost 10 straight hours a day under the fluorescent lights, with little to no outside time. At least inmates get yard time, right?? Even though I haven’t worked in that environment since 2016, I still feel the pressure to enjoy the outdoors every chance I get. That is partially why my husband and I chose to invest money in our backyard, rather than renovate our house interior. My master bath is 90’s dusty pink, our ceilings are low and we lack an open floor plan but the fact we love our backyard and spend so much time outside is a trade-off I’d make again and again. I realize owning a home is a luxury many people don’t have and so I’m exponentially grateful for this little slice of heaven and we constantly try and host friends, church groups and relatives to enjoy the outdoors together. 

Whether you have a big budget or no budget, this list has you covered with various ideas! 

1. So fresh and so clean clean - Get the powerwasher out and get to work! Wipe down all your spaces and wash all cushions and pillows. Weed your gardens and landscaped areas and toss anything that is broken or no longer functional. 
2. New paint, new life - If you are on a budget, don’t feel the pressure to buy new items each season. Give your outdoor furniture a refresh by restaining or repainting items. Summer is a time for garage sales so get to thrifting or scour Facebook marketplace and find some deals on cushions, furniture or accent pieces.  
3. Twinkle twinkle - Is it just me or do twinkle lights make you happy too? A $40 strand of outdoor patio lights strung across a deck can transform a generic space into a scene out of a movie! Make sure they are high enough for clearance. Add some candles too and you’ve got yourself a dreamy evening hangout for minimal effort. 
4. Rearrange the room - Just like inside, a simple redesign of your furniture arrangement can make a big impact at no cost. Consider swapping out the location of your outdoor chairs, moving tables around or incorporating different pieces to make the space feel new. 
5. Inside Out - Don’t be afraid to bring indoor pieces outside to create more of a cozy vibe. Use furniture covers to protect items, utilize Rustoleum, or just bring it outside for specific occasions. I have nice blankets, candles and pillows that I keep inside to protect against mold but carry outside each time I want the area to feel just right. I also have an indoor garden stool that has lived outside for years and it’s been totally fine! 
6. Potted Plants - Even if you have a black thumb like me, make sure to incorporate plants when you can! I have a jasmine plant that is currently in bloom and smells INCREDIBLE. I also have managed to keep two gardenia plants alive for a second year. Gold star for me! In full transparency, I had to bring them all inside during the colder months and they lived in my aforementioned dusty pink master bath all winter. My husband thought I was crazy and turning into a plant lady.
7. Stalk the sales - If you are wanting to get new outdoor furniture, which can be expensive for the good stuff, don’t be afraid to wait on the sales. In the past, I have waited until after the summer to buy outdoor items when they are on super clearance. Does that mean I have to wait eight months to actually enjoy the pieces? Sometimes, but that next season when I know I got the couch for a steal makes me feel like it was worth the wait! 
8. Create shade - No one wants to melt when July temps get HOT. Find ways to incorporate shade and create more of a room feel. I’ve seen sail cloths work well. We had a pergola on our deck for years and even installed an outdoor fan so it kept the space cool. 
9. Water Element - The sound of running water is very relaxing. Outdoor water fountains can be affordable at just $100 and provide a soothing spa-like retreat feel. Just make sure it isn’t standing water because that creates another issue, which is the next point. 

 Beat the bugs - I grew up in Florida and the main deterrent to being outside wasn’t the heat (though that was intense.) It was the mosquitoes! People have different views and opinions on ways to deter unwanted insects so you have to make the right choice for your family and neighborhood setting. Whether it’s citronella torches, bug spray, professional insect treatments, fans, or other preventative steps, your outdoor space can look incredible but you won’t be able to enjoy it if you are being bit all night long! 

Now that you’ve created a lovely outdoor space to enjoy, consider incorporating a memorial in honor of a loved one. Outdoor wind chimes are the perfect way to subtly and soothingly carry you through grief. After my stepfather passed away from cancer in 2017, we were given a set of memorial wind chimes with his name and birthdate and date of passing. They still hang outside my kitchen window and remind me of him every time they make a beautiful noise in the breeze. Other outdoor memorial garden gifts include custom butterfly garden seed packets, memorial garden stakes and so many more meaningful gifts from the laurelbox Home & Garden collection. You could even plant trees or flowering plants in honor of your loved one!

I hope this was helpful in giving you inspiration on how to refresh and update your outdoor spaces this summer. Spending time outdoors is good for your physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well being. Use this as a motivator to find ways to prioritize being outside. You don’t need to break the bank to find affordable ways to refresh your patio and backyard space. Once you improve and clean your space, look for ways to incorporate outdoor memorials like wind chimes in the garden. Through intentional tributes, you can bring memories of your loved one into your current routine as a way to keep their spirit alive.