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Design Recipes: Getting Summer Ready

BY Cathy Hobbs TIMEJune 6, 2025 PRINT

With summer rolling in, now is a perfect time to prepare your home for outdoor enjoyment. Projects that may not have been possible during the winter or were delayed during spring can now be placed on the front burner.

Not sure where to start? Here are some top tips to kick start your summer “to do” list!

Epoch Times Photo
Balconies, porches, and patios often need repairs or repainting in summer. (Handout/TNS)
  • Drainage. After a battling winter and rainy spring, now is a good time to repair, replace or install proper drainage.
  • Power washing. From sidewalks to siding, take time to refresh the exterior of your home.
  • Roof repair. While many opt to do roof maintenance work in the fall, companies are often booked. It is always a good time to make sure your roof is well-maintained.
  • Pool cleaning and maintenance. Once you open your pool, be sure to check for safety, from ladders and railings to gates and alarms.
  • Porches and patios. Now that the weather is getting warmer, this is a great time to be able to enjoy your outdoor environment while also making sure patios, porches and balconies are structurally sound and well-maintained.
  • House repainting. After a winter beating, your house may be worse for the wear. Summer is the ideal time to take on an exterior painting project.
  • Lawn maintenance. Landscape that has gone dormant during colder months is now back in full bloom. Summer is time to trim and mulch.
Epoch Times Photo
Landscape that was dormant during winter is ready to be trimmed and maintained. (Handout/TNS)

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5-time Emmy award winning television personality Cathy Hobbs (ASID) is the founder and creator of Cathy Hobbs Design Recipes™. Cathy currently hosts her own self-branded design television series, Design Recipes, airing on the top rated “PIX Morning News” on WPIX-TV in New York City. Cathy was a finalist on Season 6 of HGTV's Hit Reality Series "DESIGN STAR and most recently served for a year as the green expert for “The Life Improvement Squad” a national campaign with IKEA and O Magazine.
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