Get Your Outdoor Space Ready for Summer Entertaining

As we approach the warmest time of the year, adjust your outdoor space to match the summer. Your outdoor space is more valuable during summer, and you need to get it ready in anticipation of entertaining your friends and family. Hosting a festive outdoor party filled with fun and laughter involves more than moving your indoor party to your patio. Our real estate agents recommend these tips to get your outdoor space ready for summer entertaining.

1. Up the Ambience by Adding Outdoor Lighting
   Most outdoor events begin in the evening and transition into the night. Therefore, it's important to have adequate lighting. Create some ambiance by adding outdoor lighting like garden stake lights to light up pathways. Backyard uplighting or pool lighting will light up the night and add a beautiful aesthetic. You can choose to add the tiki torches, a summer classic, or the battery-operated candles. Light some citronella candles around the seating area to keep bugs away.
   
   
2. Buy Quality Outdoor Furniture
   Invest in quality outdoor furniture and add it to a well-designed outdoor space to bring comfort and function. Buy quality furniture that blends comfort and style to create a beautiful outdoor environment that appeals to you and your guests. When shopping, consider durable furniture. For example, buy furniture made from certain woods like teak, which are more durable despite extreme weather conditions.
   
   
3. Ensure There Is Enough Outdoor Seating
   Summer weather is irresistibly lovely, and people will want to sit out until bedtime. So, you need to have enough outdoor seating for everyone. Assess your current seating options and decide how many more tables or seats you might need.
   
   When buying seats, consider getting lightweight chairs that you can easily move to and from the house. You can also buy folding chairs since they're easy to store.
   
   
4. Get a Shade Structure
   While the sun may be nice, you might need to allow for some shade. Invest in a proper shade structure like a shade sail to retain the comfort of your backyard or patio during the gathering. For example, a retractable shade sail is ideal for controlling shade or sun.
   
   
5. Deal With Pests
   The summer encourages pests, and nobody wants to have to fight off bugs and mosquitoes at an outdoor party. So, you need to know how to deal with pests. You can fight mosquitoes by eliminating their breeding grounds, emptying any water containers around the area, and frequently changing the water in birdbaths.
   
   Add a patio fan, avoid using mulch in your garden and add some plants like chrysanthemums, which keep ants and roaches away. You can also use natural repellents like lemongrass and lemon eucalyptus essential oils to repel bugs.
   
   
6. Add an Outdoor Rug
   Depending on the style of your home, adding outdoor rugs can make the eating area more finished. Rugs are also helpful in hiding decks or spots on the outdoor flooring that you may not have had time to fix. Outdoor rugs also add to comfort since they feel great under bare feet. They also offer additional comfort by making it comfortable to sit on the ground, making your outdoor space more inviting.
   
   
7. Choose Outdoor Friendly Menus
   You can choose a simple outdoor-friendly meal for your guests. Serve some picnic classics like salads, cold drinks, and fresh fruits. You can also grill delicious dinner for your guests and hang out with them as you prepare the food. Pick fun fuss-free desserts like peach pie filling, vanilla ice cream, or baked fruit pie.

It's hard to resist the lure of the outdoors during summer. Follow our tips above to make your outdoor space a fascinating, entertaining spot for guests. Still haven't found the perfect home for you? Contact us today to look through our homes for sale.