Deck Dreaming & Spring Cleaning {Outdoor Living Ideas!}

Spring was in the air today, for a moment, and it was delightful! Each year as spring approaches I survey our winter ravaged deck and today was no exception. You’d think we’d learn to clean it up in the fall, but truthfully I fight winter so much I stand my ground and stubbornly leave out our furniture in the hopes of a warm day mid-winter which never seems to materialize. As spring rolls around, inevitably we face a major spruce-up to get our beloved deck back in shape.

It’s been covered in snow for so long, we didn’t see how badly the squirrels had ripped up one of the rugs (actual squirrels, not my kids, though if I hadn’t seen those rodents with my own eyes I might have tried to blame my it on The Wrecking Crew). Disgusting, right? Who lives here?

::: hangs head in shame :::

We need a huge clean-up over here, this is a far cry from our bountiful vertical herb wall and our {previously perfect} vivacious planters!

Of course the next step will be to clean and sand/stain the deck. That’s going to be 75% of the work here. But then… the fun part! I’ve been scouting out ideas and pictures for the vibe I’m going for, and it looks a little something like this:

sources: outdoor rugs / wooden lanterns / outdoor sofa / blue umbrella / hanging planter / outdoor pillows / outdoor clock / outdoor string lighting / framed succulents /

My husband has been asking for an outdoor daybed type deal, and after lounging in them on various vacations last year I agree– we want a deep outdoor sofa with ottoman to lounge on during weekends and watching outdoor movies and sipping cocktails at night. Something along these lines, but not the $3000 version:

All Weather Wicker Fire Pit Chat Room via Hayneedle

This outdoor day bed is almost too outrageous, it’s hard to see from the photo but the ottoman is more like having two twin beds attached to the couch. My margaritas would spill ALL OVER IT as I tried to get up. If we had the room I’d get it in a heartbeat, dreaming of nights under the stars (and kids napping after running-through-the-sprinkler-sessions!)