Jackson Bean 
Nobody likes to eat or lounge on bird droppings and other debris covered furniture – that’s for sure! But if your wicker sofa takes a trip down this unpleasant route, you don’t have to junk it – here’s how to get it to look brand new again with a few simple tips.
Pillows and cushions can totally change how your patio sofa looks at little cost.
Update the Cushions
Upgrade your outdoor furniture for summer use by adding new covers. These covers are quick and inexpensive to install and provide a range of colours and patterns to add texture, depth and warmth to your patio or porch. Patio covers can be damaged by the sun and rain and often start to fade in just a season or two. If you have some protectuve covers already, then you can at least prevent further degration from the elements, as well as protect your furniture from dirt and debris.
Add a Throw Blanket
On patio furniture, a throw blanket can make it seem like the padding of a daybed, soften the space and add depth, and make it look less worn-out. Fold a textured throw blanket over one sofa corner or chair arm in thirds lengthwise (this Better Homes Gardens Cozy Knit Throw from Walmart, $23, makes for a good option) and pull taut, stretching it slightly, to give it a neat, symmetrical look.
Add a Light
One last thing you should consider, when upgrading your patio furniture, is lighting. Lighting fixtures are an excellent way of setting a mood, whether it’s simply string lights that contribute to an informal ambience, or lanterns that are subtly elegant.
Just remember that layering your light is vital so that your space looks visually appealing. Path lights are great for paths or walkways. For added ambience, dangle pendant lights or string lights across dining or seating areas.
Add a Bed
Patio furniture takes a beating over years of sun exposure and storage conditions, but replacement seating is by no means a certainty.
Kropovinsky suggests taking steps to revitalize an outdated wicker sofa through simple improvements.
Incorporate wild greenery – leaves and rocks, for instance – to provide texture or contrast with the gentler lines of wicker furniture.
Add a Bistro Table
A bistro set tucked into any corner becomes a quieter place for talk. Screen it off with a trellis, pergola, fence or plants to offer more separation and intimacy.
Opt for a bright bistro table to add colour to the otherwise muted space. Another way to jolt it is to top it off with potted plants, trailing greenery or vibrant planters to draw the gaze, invite touch and heighten interest.
One way to achieve this look would be to put together two or three bistro sets similar to the ones found in outdoor cafés throughout Europe. Top it off with complimentary beverages such as coffee and tea.
Add a Sheepskin Throw
Sheepskin rugs are great indoors, but they work just as well outdoors, too: chuck the pelt over a wicker chair or lounger and you’ll have instantaneously upgraded outdoor seating.
Due to the fact that heat and rain can damage wood patio furniture over time, adding synthetic outdoor rugs reduces the risk of potential damage, but also gives color and depth to your patio furniture.
Add a Plant
With your patio furniture in place, it is time to plant, soften the edges of your paved area and make it welcoming. Choose plants that reflect your sensibilities and suit your furnishings.
And symmetrical groupings work better in more formal rooms; asymmetry adds an informal feel. A splash of colour can be attained with tulips, but greeting guests with little maintenance is achievable with low-lying, trailing vines such as wisteria or latticed hollyhocks.
Add a Planter
Natural furnishings can contribute richness and aesthetic appeal to any wicker sofa or teak coffee table. For instance, a plant or grass that can be integrated into the outdoor space can be an amazing complement to these furnishings, and it can further enhance one’s outdoor place.
Look for bench or couch covers that harmonise with the colours you already have on your patio furnishings. Consider that painted pieces that have been exposed to the sun for a while can show fading and cracking. Ensure they are also protected when you put on the bench or couch covers in case they faded and cracked due to the direct sun.
Add a Tree Stump
Yes, after a period of weathering and ‘breaking in’, your wicker sofa may not look as sharp as it did the day you bought it – but with a few minor updates it will look like you just unwrapped it from plastic packaging.
Stumps of trees, turned flat, make a striking table. Before the end of summer, which arrived numerous months ago, jot down the names of favourite trails, or make a resolution to keep the forest clean by packing a small bag and keeping your local area tidy. Consider painting the table with weather-proof paint, and impress even further by adding balconies and windows in the design.
Making a fairy house out of a stump is a fun project your children can do while adding another layer of whimsy to your garden’s composition. It’s also another example of finding beauty in the spent parts of your garden.
