take your backyard space from "drab to fab."

Everybody loves a deck. The smell of sizzling barbecue, glorious sunshine and summer breezes.

It's where families bond. But after a few brutal winters, baking summers and general

use, most decks and deck furniture can look a bit, well, beat up and not so inviting.

Here are four updates you can make to your deck and deck furniture that are simple, fast

and won't break the bank.

First up, flooring. I've seen worse, we can bring this back to life. We'll need to fix

a couple loose boards, power wash the surface and put on a new coat of sealer that will

protect this bad boy from the blistering heat, pounding rain and old man winter.

How about the furniture? This wrought Iron Bisto set is pretty solid and will last many

years, but Mother Nature hasn't been so kind to this group. With some sand paper, elbow

grease and a can of good exterior metal spay paint, they're back in the game. Pop on some

new colorful cushions, and voila, you now have a classy spot to ponder the Universe.

Now we need some of Mother Nature's bounty-- plants. Potted plants add beauty, color and

warmth to this outdoor room. Use large planters to grow evergreen trees for privacy and more

enclosure. Potted plants require little maintenance and are an excellent way to be one with nature.

When the sun goes down, turn up the fun on the deck. During the hot months, nighttime

on the deck is heaven. Deck lighting can be dramatic,

whimsical and practical.

If you don't want to deal with wires or electric, no worries, there is a huge selection of very

cool solar lights. There you go. You can do one, two or all four of these updates that

will make your deck the hot spot of the backyard.