Ellicott City
10325 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 465-9633
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 7AM-8PM
Sunday 9AM-6PM
Repair Shop Hours:
Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM
Saturday 9AM-2PM

Columbia
8895 McGaw Road
Columbia, MD, 21045
(410) 465-0500
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 7AM-8PM
Sunday 9AM-6PM

Ellicott City
10325 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042
(410) 465-9633
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 7AM-8PM
Sunday 9AM-6PM

Repair Shop Hours:
Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM
Saturday 9AM-2PM

Columbia
8895 McGaw Road
Columbia, MD, 21045
(410) 465-0500
Store Hours:
Mon-Sat 7AM-8PM
Sunday 9AM-6PM

It’s undeniable that people love shaking up their homes during summer. The warm weather offers the perfect opportunity to transform a house into a haven no matter how warm outside may be. You don’t necessarily need to look out for a handyperson or a contractor to get your home summer-ready.

You can use a few DIY ideas and have your home feel like a summer holiday destination. Here are a few ideas you can use. 

Do a Summer Cleaning and Decluttering 

You probably have accumulated piles of stuff over your home over winter and spring. You don’t need most of these things over the summer. Therefore, it’s time to discard things you don’t need and organize what you would like to keep. Store away items like blankets, sweaters, and jackets since you will not need them. 

Once you’re done with your stuff, the next step should be deep cleaning. Ensure you clean every corner and surface and dust and swab them thoroughly. You should also concentrate on inaccessible corners and remove all the rugs, sheets, and old curtains. Keeping your home clutter-free and fresh makes the rooms airer, attracting more positive energy. 

Add a few Plants and Flowers to Your Living Room 

Summer is the perfect time for plants to bloom, and it’s a great idea to incorporate flowers into your summer decoration and bring your outdoor feel inside. Therefore, adding some green plants is the next step to get your home ready for summer. 

You can use a mixture of large and small indoor plants, different textures, or shapes to create a mixed blend. Place large plants near windows, corners, and the side of a table for visibility. For the smaller plants, you can hang them from baskets by their stem or put them on the window sill.

Your choice of indoor plants also depends on their foliage and how they blend with your decor. For instance, plants with simple foliage are suitable for a boho-styled living room since it includes a lot of texture through the natural materials, rugs, and blankets it incorporates. For minimalist decor, look for elaborate plants such as ferns, cacti, and monstera to create a strong focal point. You can also include plants with fine, feathery foliage, like asparagus fern, to make a greater impact since they don’t have the same visual weight as other plant leaves that are thick and solid. 

Prep The Windows 

You need to keep your windows sparkling clean and ready for summer too. Start by checking for gaps in the frames and whether its mechanic is working by closing the windows a few times. Once you’re done with this process, fill a bucket of water with a cup of ammonia and vinegar and another with hot water. Start washing with the vinegar-ammonia solution, then with water only. You can then hang out blackout curtains to keep off the heat. 

Clean the Gas Grill 

The grilling season will be officially starting. This means it’s time to clean your gas grill and ensure it serves you all summer. Start by heating the grill for 10 minutes at a high temperature to scrape off gunk inside the cook box with a grill brush. Leave it to cool and disconnect the propane or gas lines before washing it. To bathe it, remove pieces like warming grates, knobs, grill grates, grease traps, and other removable accessories and soak them in a bucket of soapy water for at least thirty minutes. Scrab the pieces, rinse them, and let them dry before you resemble the grill. 

Brighten Up Your Home for Summer

Summer is usually hot and humid. Therefore, brightening your home makes it more cheerful. There are a few DIY ideas to brighten your home for summer, such as adding a few summer colors to your kitchen towels, throws, pillows, and mats. 

You can also change your drapes to lighter ones to bring more light and air to your house. You should also update your throws with something airy and light. Neutral, but chick throws would bring the comfort and feel you expect to achieve. 

Get Your Pool Summer-Ready with Regular Maintenance 

If you own a swimming pool, you should expect it to be used during summer. Therefore, you must keep it in top condition to save yourself from potential problems. Consider things like washing it daily, skimming the surface for debris or leaves, vacuuming the bottom of the pool, and emptying the baskets. 

You should also check its water and chemical quality and clean its filters daily to avoid costly repairs. Please note that if your pool is not in good condition, you’ll have to wait a few days to allow the water to clear before diving into the pool.

Get Your Patio Party-Ready

The warm summer temperature is perfect for grabbing a drink and heading to the patio. It’s also ideal for hosting your friends for a summer party. Therefore, you must ensure your deck is ready for many summer events. Inspect potential damages that have built over time, and make necessary repairs when needed. 

If the deck is in perfect condition, a power wash on the deck will help remove all the mildew. If it’s wooden, wash it in the same direction as its grain with cold water to avoid tearing the wood fibers. You should also apply a sealant to the furniture and make exterior paint touch-ups. 

Make Necessary Window and Screen Repairs 

The snow, sleet, and rain experienced over the winter may damage your window and door screen. They may also sustain damage due to long-term sun exposure, improper installation, or scratching from your pet. Replacing these screens may be challenging if you’ve never handled this task. Therefore, the best thing to do is hire a screen repair expert to do it professionally. 

Get Your Home Summer-Ready with the Help of Clarks Hardware 

CLARKS ACE HARDWARE
Ellicott City

10325 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21042

(410) 465-9633 GET DIRECTIONS
 

CLARKS ACE HARDWARE
Columbia

8895 McGaw Rd
Columbia, MD 21045

(410) 465-0500 GET DIRECTIONS