How to Upgrade Your Outdoor Space for Summer Entertaining

Summer is just about to roll in, so you might already have a bucket list of plans and activities to go through. Some people like to go on a diet and get fit to get their summer body ready. So, by the time they get on that beach trip or lounge in a resort, they can feel incredibly confident.

But getting ready for the summer can look different depending on the person. If you’re the type of person who likes to spend time at home and invite people over, then designing spaces in your home to entertain guests is one of the ways you could prepare for the summer season.

If you love hosting gatherings at home with family or friends, here are some pieces of information that you can refer to as you go along.

Fixing up your outdoors to use the space throughout the season is one way you could ensure that your family and guests can enjoy comfortably. One way to do this is to install quality landscape lighting to make your outdoors well-lit for activities, even at night.

Once you have it ready, here are some fun activities you could choose from, such as:

• Backyard camping
• Grilling and barbecuing
• Hanging out by the firepit
• Outdoor movie night
• Have a party
• Host an outdoor dinner

But you don’t have to limit yourself to these activities. You can do whatever you like as long as it’s safe and may not cause a disturbance.

There are different ways to upgrade your outdoor space, but it depends on your tastes and what activities you want to do throughout the summer. Here are some ideas that you can try, to transform your outdoor space into a sanctuary during this hot season:

#1 Install Necessary Fixtures

Making your outdoors as comfortable and practical as possible is the first thing you might want to consider. You’ll want to make sure that you have adequate light and appropriate seating arrangements. As you can imagine, it can be challenging to host dinners if there isn’t enough light and seats for everyone.

#2 Build a Patio or Ensure the Ground Is Leveled

If you plan to put furniture outside, it’s essential to ensure that the ground is leveled. This way, it’s easier to place a patio or even different furniture pieces for comfort and aesthetic purposes. It also makes it safer, especially if you have children who like to run around your front or backyard.

#3 Invest in Outdoor Furniture for a Seating Area

Using furniture is another way to bring indoor comfort to the outdoors. A seating area is a lovely place for you to have coffee or refreshments while you’re outside. Or you could simply lounge outside if it gets too hot indoors in the summer.

However, it’s important to remember to get furniture meant for the outdoors. This way, it can be easier to maintain and withstand the elements. As you can imagine, an indoor couch can quickly be soaked and damaged if you use it outside. So, to keep this from happening, look specifically for outdoor furniture. Whether its chairs, benches, or sofa, your furniture choice should have the following key features:

• Weather-resistant materials: Outdoor furniture should be constructed from materials that can withstand exposure to the elements. Look for teak, aluminum, wrought iron, or synthetic wicker options, as they are known for their durability and ability to resist sun, rain, and wind.
• UV protection: The sun’s rays can be harsh on furniture, causing colors to fade and materials to weaken. That’s why it’s essential to choose furniture that offers UV protection. Look for furniture that has been treated or coated to protect against harmful UV rays.
• Waterproof cushions and fabrics: To ensure comfort and longevity, outdoor furniture should have cushions and fabrics designed to repel water. This feature prevents the cushions from getting soaked during rain showers and also allows for quick drying, minimizing the chance of mildew and mold growth.

By considering these features, you can ensure that the outdoor furniture you choose will not only look great but also be well-equipped to withstand the demands of outdoor living.

As previously mentioned, ensuring a level surface for your outdoor furniture is also vital. Uneven ground can pose a potential safety hazard due to instability that may lead to accidents. For this reason, consider checking out compactors for hire that can help provide a stable foundation for your furniture for a more secure and pleasant outdoor experience for you and your guests.

#4 Create a Dining Area

A dining area for the outdoors is a fantastic addition since talking and socializing over dinner is one of the best ways to bond. Again, you’ll want to do the same and look for an outdoor dining set, which might be made from different materials that can handle the environmental elements.

Here are some of the materials that you might be able to choose from:

• Aluminium
• Resin wicker
• Wood
• Recycled plastic
• Wrought iron
• Mosaic

As an essential memo, even if the dining set is made out of the above-mentioned materials, you’ll still have to ensure that they are meant for the outdoors. This is because these materials are also used for indoor furniture.

#5 Add an Outdoor Kitchen or a Grill

If you enjoy cooking and hosting dinners, you might want to build an outdoor kitchen. This will be convenient and practical if you regularly dine in the backyard. It’s also going to help bring down the temperature inside your house over the summer. But if a full kitchen isn’t feasible, investing in a grill would be a terrific way for you to prepare for all the barbecues all summer long.

You might even want to add a refreshments corner or a small bar cart to hold drinks. Just remember to bring out some ice to cool everyone down throughout the warm summer weather.

#6 Try Including a Fire pit

For those who get cold at night during the summer, or if you want to make s’mores with your family and friends, a fire pit will be necessary. It’s fun to sit around a fire pit, tell stories, and relax. And if backyard camping is on that summer bucket list, you wouldn’t want to do it without a fire pit.

Fortunately, it’s possible to get affordable ones, or you could even do-it-yourself (DIY) them if you have the materials. Just make sure that you have a fire extinguisher close by, just in case of untoward fire hazards.

#7 Add Some Shade

The summer will bring heat and rays, so having some shade for sun protection will be needed. Some types of shade tend to be more expensive, such as getting it constructed. But there are some affordable choices in the market today.

Here are some shade options that can help protect yourself from all kinds of weather:

• Pop-up umbrellas
• Oversized movable umbrellas
• Pergola
• Constructed overhang
• Canopy
• Patio shade

#8 Keep It Cozy with Throw Pillows and Cushions

While seats and furniture can make the outdoors comfortable, sometimes you just need some cushions to feel even more relaxed. Some even opt to simply use wooden pallets and add blankets and pillows to make it into a cozy corner. It’s a much more affordable way to add a seating or lounging area without spending on expensive outdoor furniture. But if you already have outdoor furniture, you could still use additional cushions and pillows to make it even more comfortable.

But it’s important to remember that these aren’t usually ideal for the outdoors. That said, it’s best to use these pieces in shaded spots or when you’re sure that the weather will be clear. Then, when it looks like it’s about to rain, you could simply take them back indoors.

#9 Pop In Some Form of Entertainment

Spending time outdoors can get boring, so building an entertainment space for summer might be a good idea. For example, you could use a projector to make an outdoor theater for you and your friends. You could schedule movies, sports, or even home movies to help entertain everyone at night. But you could even have other entertainment options such as a pool table or even a board game corner.

You might also want to consider that there are different forms of entertainment and it can depend on the people in your home or those coming over. For children, you might want to rent an inflatable playground or even a slip n slide so they can have fun.

#10 Protect It from Pests

During the summer, all kinds of pests can make spending time outdoors uncomfortable. Fleas and mosquitoes tend to be even more annoying this season, so it might be necessary to take care of this. Whether by getting pest control services or adding some mosquito repellents, it’s important to remember that this is an essential step for health and comfort.

Maintaining your backyard is another consideration for the summer, especially if you plan to use it. This will make the space look neat and well maintained, and it’s also crucial for safety and comfort. So, to keep your outdoors well maintained, here’s what you need to do:

• Keep your grass and gardens watered well
• Get rid of weeds and trim plants regularly
• Mow the lawn at the proper height
• Clean it up regularly
• Try to stay off the grass as much as possible

There are all kinds of dangers when it comes to outdoor activities. As mentioned, using a grill or a fire pit can be a fire hazard, so ensuring that kids don’t use them and that a fire extinguisher is close by will be necessary. But there are also other considerations and steps to ensuring that you can safely spend time outdoors. Here are some of them:

• Make sure that the patio is safe and repaired before using it
• Be careful around fire pits and grills
• Check tree branches and have them cut if necessary
• Ensure children are always supervised by adults, especially around a pool
• Get pest control services
• Keep the lawn leveled to avoid risks of falling and injuries

Safety considerations can vary, primarily because people’s yards are not the same. If you have a pool, you’ll want to ensure that no one runs around it. On the other hand, if you use a propane tank for your grill or an outdoor kitchen, it’s necessary to ensure that it’s installed properly.

Spending time in your front or backyard is common practice for many households during the summer. It helps people cool down, get some fresh air, have fun, and even entertain guests. But to do this, it’s essential to get the outdoor area ready by ensuring it’s safe and secured. You can get some comfortable furniture, entertainment pieces, a fire pit, and more to help transform it into an inviting and relaxing space suitable for the summer season.

Published in: Outdoors | Author: Lynn