When warmer weather arrives, it brings along its good friend: outdoor entertainment. In what seems like a matter of days, neighbors and friends begin making plans to have a barbecue, potluck, or pool party.
After being kept inside during the colder months, you want to ensure your guests have the ideal area to relax and come together.
While there are a number of obvious things you can do to make your outdoor space more enjoyable, such as having ample seating or having a food prep area outdoors to minimize foot traffic inside, there are also a few additional things you can do that will make your yard or patio the gathering place of choice.
Trust us, your friends and family will thank you for the added comfort.
Install a Gas Fire Pit
While the days can be warm and enjoyable, spring and summer nights can still be a bit chilly from time to time. This is especially true when you’ve been in the hot sun all day.
One thing that we would recommend is installing an outdoor gas fire pit. These pits are best placed on an even, flat surface, using either natural gas or propane. Natural gas will provide a permanent fire feature for your outdoor space, while propane will give you the flexibility for a more portable fire pit option.
Not only will your guests appreciate the additional heat, but this is a great place to congregate and have toasted marshmallows and s’mores.
Another added bonus is that these fire pits can help illuminate your area, preventing spills or falls.
Have Plenty of Room for Drinks
Speaking of spills, ensuring you have plenty of space on side and coffee tables is an easy way to ensure drinks don't get kicked over. Your guests will thank you when there is ample room for their soda and their plate at your barbecue.
Additionally, you probably have a few bugs crawling around in your yard. By elevating drinks and food, you can ensure no one finds an unwelcome guest in their dinner.
You’ll be surprised by how many people appreciate your side tables that help prevent messes.
Add Outdoor Heaters
Another way to stay warm and enjoy the outdoors during those chilly spring and summer nights is to install outdoor heaters on your patio or deck.
You have three choices when it comes to powering them up: natural gas, propane, and electric. As with outdoor fireplaces, natural gas heaters are more permanent, as they connect to your natural gas line and need to stay in the same location continuously.
Propane heaters, on the other hand, give you more freedom of mobility, allowing you to place the heater in various parts of your outdoor space. Electric heaters are a great option if you have an electrical outlet nearby.
Whatever option you go with, outdoor heaters extend your outdoor living space, provide instant warmth, and are relatively low maintenance. That said, keep in mind that some wall-mounted heaters require shelter from rain.
Invest in Lighting for Your Pathway
One design trend that we have been seeing more of is the use of stepping stones leading from the house to the patio. While these stones are beautiful and functional during the day, they can become dangerous at night.
While most houses do have floodlights or exterior lights shining in their yard, these lights often do not adequately illuminate the ground. Installing ground lights will help your guests see where they are going, and avoid a twisted ankle.
As an Earth-friendly bonus, many of these small lanterns operate off of solar power and do not require any additional power source.
Unsure of Where to Start?
It's easy to become overwhelmed when looking to revamp your outdoor living space. Why not leave the hard labor and problem-solving to the professionals?
At Tilghman Builders, we can help you envision your ideal outdoor entertaining space and turn it into a reality. Check out our portfolio for inspiration!
