As the weather begins to warm, our thoughts turn to outdoor fun and entertainment. Make your outdoor space as inviting as your home’s interior with these ideas to create the perfect patio for hosting summer parties.

Incorporate Shade

Give your guests a place to escape the hot sun by adding a shady spot to retreat. Table-inset or freestanding umbrellas in colorful and durable fabrics will shield your guests from the sun’s harmful rays and cut glare. Choose the adjustable ones to block out the sun from different angles.

For the ultimate shady spot, have a pergola built on your patio. These freestanding wooden structures can provide both shade and privacy by adding climbing vines, creeper plants, or shade cloths.

Add an Outdoor Bar

Impress your guests with an outdoor bar where they can relax with a summer cocktail. This can be as simple as a DIY version with boards and blocks or as elaborate as hiring a contractor to build your outdoor bar. Customize your bar with fabric-covered stools, a small fridge, and a matching bar set with an ice bucket, tongs, and glassware.

Consider a Fire Pit

A cozy firepit is the perfect gathering spot for guests to relax with drinks and lively conversation. If your patio is wooden, look for a gas firepit designed for wooden decks and patios. Make sure it’s properly installed so it doesn’t produce sparks.

Adding a firepit to your outdoor space is a feature you will also appreciate as the weather cools down in the fall.

Add Color with Perennials

For long-lasting color that’s easy to care for, plant a border of perennials such as begonias, peonies, and coleus. Because they’re perennials, they will show up to delight you year after year with minimal care. Most perennials also grow well in containers that you can spread around your patio for a pop of color wherever it’s needed.

Choose Patio Furniture That’s Portable

The key to choosing patio furniture is versatility. Stay away from heavy chairs, tables, and setees for your patio. Instead, choose lightweight pieces that are easy to move around. Your guests will appreciate the ability to move their chairs in or out of the sun. Chairs, benches, and stools that are easy to move can be grouped into conversation settings.

Create Mood With Lighting

After the sun sets on your patio party, you’ll need light for safety and to take your gathering into the dark hours. But stay away from floodlights and other harsh lighting or your guests may scram. Instead, add soft lighting and a decorating element with rattan lanterns on tables and string lights in a dazzling pattern strung overhead.

Add an Outdoor Rug

Add cushioning underfoot to your patio with an outdoor rug. Often referred to as indoor/outdoor rugs, they’re made of durable synthetic materials that resist the fading rays of the sun and can withstand the elements.

An outdoor rug will also help prevent your deck from damage and add a little bit of soundproofing for quiet times.

Published by: Nelly Chavez