As colder days grudgingly give way to warm and sunny days, it is time to head outside and enjoy the weather. But if it has been a while since you updated your deck furniture, sitting outside might be as boring as remaining inside. Here are some fun ideas to spruce up your porch for summer.

Something New Underfoot
A painted canvas floor cloth is a durable way to add a splash of color and your own creativity to a porch seating area. Using stencils or painting freehand, floor cloths can be seasonal, or represent a special occasion. What better welcoming gesture to a large cookout than a colorful floor cloth saying “Thanks for coming!�?along with the date of your soiree?

Materials:
�?nbsp; Preprimed artist's canvas a tad larger than the space you would like to cover
�?nbsp; Latex paint
�?nbsp; Brushes
�?nbsp; Heavy-duty fabric glue
�?nbsp; Nonyellowing polyurethane

Instructions:
�?nbsp; Fold under all of the canvas edges 1-1/4 inches and glue in place with fabric glue. Cut away excess at corners so it will lie flat.
�?nbsp; Paint the background of your design. You may want to use two coats
�?nbsp; Paint the designs of the rest of your floor cloth, including any stencil work.
�?nbsp; Cover the completed work with at least two coats of nonyellowing polyurethane to protect from damage. Apply to both sides.