How to Prepare Your Patio for Summer Entertaining

Entry #2425, May 17, 2013

Summer is the season of parties. Whether you are preparing for Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day or for any other special occasions this summer, it is important to give a makeover to your patio. It is not very difficult to convert it into an outdoor party destination.

Outdoor party table-setting ideas.

Image via: Oxford Garden

Clean the Space

The first thing you have to do is to clean the patio and the furniture. Unless you did put all of your patio furniture in storage for the winter, rain and snow have certainly put their marks on your stuff. In addition, they are likely to be dirty too. Scrub down the patio floors, furniture including table, chairs, and lounge chairs, the patio walls, and the front door. You also have to clean the grill too as you may need to replace some of the parts, repair the charcoal briquets, or buy a new propane.

Bring a Cooler and Prepare for Pests

Summer is the time to enjoy outdoor parties but it is also the time for bugs and heat. You will definitely need a cooler to keep your beverages cold this summer. If you already have one, check if it needs any repairs. Every BBQ party has to have a cooler for keeping the beer cold. On the other hand, the pleasant, warm weather will bring some annoying bugs too. So, take your anti-bug preparations by keeping ready citronella candles, bug spray, and tiki torches with citronella oil. You can also hang a bug zapper in the corner of the patio.

Decide a Color Scheme

It is important to pick a color scheme for decorating any place. For creating a theme for your patio, select three main colors. After that, make a good balance of those colors by carrying them through the colors of the patio accessories like lanterns, balloons, pennants, napkins, plates, paper pom-poms, or place cards.

Choose a festive color scheme for your party.

Image via: HGTV

Add Comfortable Furniture

You can create several small relaxing spots in your patio. For example, a durable vinyl sofa will create a cozy spot. You can also create a cozy corner by setting up a wrap-around bench with cushions and pillows. Add pillows or cushions to chairs, as comfortable furniture will invite guests to sit and chat. Additionally, set up a beverage station in the patio so that you do not have to serve every time when someone needs drinks.

Decorate your Patio 

It does not matter if you have a small outdoor space but you have to set the scene by decorating it properly. Make it pop with fresh flowers, table linens, cube-stringed lights, candles, colorful place mats, and paper lanterns. Make a centerpiece for the table with a wide-mouth small vase and some floating candles. Fill the vase with water, put the candles inside, light them, and place the vase in the center of the table. You will also have to light up the place well if the get-together continues into the evening.

Outdoor party decoration ideas.

Image via: HGTV

So, make use of these ideas to have a beautiful as well as functional patio and enjoy your summer and all the outdoor celebrations.

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