Take summer living outdoors with George Wimpey

With the spring cleaning now behind you it’s time to prepare for some serious summer living! Getting your outside space in order needn’t be a chore – it’s great exercise in the sunshine and once done, you can relax and soak up the rays with a cool drink in your hand, knowing you’re always ready for an impromptu barbecue with friends.

Start with the heaviest tasks – clearing the garage and shed of all the accumulated winter junk so when you fancy a spot of gardening you can at least find a fork.

If your garage has become a dumping ground for old furniture, put it to good use. Drawers and cupboards are the ideal places to store tools and gardening supplies.

Use a magnetic strip for hanging paintbrushes or hammer large nails at a 45 degree angle into the walls for small tools - two nails side-by-side for the heavier items.

Use shelving to keep boxes of clutter off the floor where they might get damp, and screw through the lids of plastic coffee jars to secure them onto the underside of the shelf. Fill the jars with nails, nuts and other small items and simply screw each jar back onto its lid to maximise your space.

In preparation for enjoying al fresco dining, clean any patio furniture and benches with a mild detergent and make sure cobwebs are brushed from the undersides. Empty your barbecue of left-over soot and coals and wash grill pans and accessories by hand – or let the dishwasher do that bit for you.

Why not invest in a heavy-duty cool box to keep chilled drinks within reach when you’re entertaining? Or you could keep a small fridge in the garage complete with condiments and any food to keep fresh.

If you’ve got kids, have a stash of paper plates, cups, napkins and plastic utensils and stock up your picnic basket for fuss-free days out.

Keep insect repellent, sunglasses and sunscreen together near your back door and, with the hard work done, you’re finally prepared for a slump in the deckchair!

Prospective homeowners can choose a great-looking garden - and home - by visiting George Wimpey’s developments across the region which can be found as follows:

BEDFORDSHIRE

Pages Priory II, Leighton Buzzard

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Oxley Woods, Milton Keynes
Parklands, Woburn Sands
Waterside, Woburn Sands

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

The Quills II, Girton

WARWICKSHIRE

Bilton Court, Rugby

Alternatively, information on George Wimpey developments across the region can be obtained by visiting the web site at Georgewimpey.co.uk.