All hands on deck! When you’re thinking about outdoor home maintenance, your thoughts probably turn to the deck. Decks are a focal point for summer entertaining, but during much of the year they’re not used nearly as often. They may be something that you need to maintain during fall and winter storms, but would you consider entertaining on your deck this fall?

Here’s how to get your deck ready for fall entertaining.

Turn it Into a Thing of Beauty

When you’re planning a fall evening on your deck, you may look around and realize that your garden is oriented to summer, not autumn. If your garden is looking lackluster, add some fall color. Autumn crocus and late-blooming summer bulbs add a quirky look back at the spring, while mums, aster, goldenrod and sage all add beautiful fall colors to planters and the areas around your deck.

Keep it Safe

If you’re entertaining in the windy and wet season, make sure that your deck is not only beautiful but also safe. Add non-slip coverings to areas that are often wet, and make sure that any stairs off the deck have appropriate railings. Take a look around your deck and note any trees that need pruning to ensure that they don’t lose branches onto your deck. Examine your home maintenance needs as well, so that home elements, such as gutter systems, move water away instead of overflowing onto the exterior of the building.

Make it Warm

A deck is a lovely place to sit on a warm summer’s evening, but as the nights grow cooler you need to consider the comfort of yourself and your guests. Add lighting that warms the atmosphere, including bright seasonal lanterns. Gentle heat lamps can warm your guests. Place warm woolen blankets around the deck during a party so that guests can warm up while they enjoy the night air.

Create Cozy Nooks

Fall is a cozy time of the year, and what better way to make a deck enjoyable than to create sweet, small spaces where your guests can be comfortable? Add rocking benches with soft cushions, tuck chairs and benches into corners with lanterns, and focus on soft lighting with solar-powered fairy lights to reflect the quieter fall mood.

Maintain the Structure

As the days get cooler and you start to put your garden to bed for the winter, do the same with your deck. Sweep, wash, and seal your deck regularly to ensure that it stays in top condition and resists rot. With diligent care, your deck will last for many years to come.

When you’re restoring your deck, your gutter systems matter. Your drainage systems can make it easier to maintain your siding, decking, and landscaping. With gutter covers that reduce drain clogging, you’ll ensure that your deck remains a pleasant place to be during the fall season. Contact Harry Helmet today for more information about our gutter products.

Written by Del Thebaud