Summer is made for entertaining. Holidays and picnics, barbecues and campfires — summer provides a plethora of opportunities for your guests to gather in your backyard or on your patio. But to make your outdoor gathering a success, you have to prepare your backyard. Here’s a list of everything you need to make sure your outdoor area is ready to host guests this summer.
Ample seating
Where will your guests sit during your outdoor gathering? A great gathering requires effortless seating. One of the most effective ways to be sure that your outdoor gathering space is ready for any type of outdoor gathering is by creating seating “zones.” Have a dining set for barbecues and a cozy seating set for relaxing and socializing. A firepit or firepit table can anchor a seating zone and provides guests with the perfect gathering spot, while an outdoor bar or bistro set makes for fun, casual entering.
Umbrellas
Decks and patios can heat up quickly on a sunny summer day. Too much sun on your patio can render the space nearly unusable and make guests uncomfortable on hot summer days. To solve this problem, provide your guests with cooling shade. Add umbrellas around your patio, especially over your dining set, seating zones and anywhere else guests are likely to gather during your get-togethers.
A grill
An outdoor entertaining area isn’t complete without a grill or cook-top for churning out hamburgers, steaks, grilled vegetables, pizzas, and more. When it comes to choosing a grill for your outdoor entertaining space, you can find a grill to meet your barbecuing needs. Casual grillers can purchase a small, simple gas or charcoal grill, while barbecue gourmands can choose more elaborate ceramic or high-tech gas grills that allow them to cook nearly any dish. For those who are most serious about cooking outdoors during summer gatherings, entire outdoor kitchens can be installed.
Coolers
How will you keep your guests’ drinks cold? Coolers are a must-have accessory for any outdoor summer gathering. You also can consider supplying your guests with cans and bottle coolers to keep drinks from becoming too hot too quickly during the hottest summer gatherings.
A music system
Indoors or out, formal or casual, music sets the tone for any type of social gathering. Adding an outdoor music system to your patio or deck is a great way to ensure that you’ll be able to provide the perfect music for any of your outdoor gatherings, whether you’re hosting an elegant outdoor dinner party or a poolside soiree that’s likely to include dancing.
Is your patio missing something it needs to provide the perfect environment for summertime entertaining? Stop by Tri-County Hearth & Patio’s showroom to get everything you need to turn your backyard into an entertaining oasis. From seating sets to umbrellas and coolers to grills, we can help you get what you need to make your patio the perfect place for guests.