We all have different ideas of what makes the summers enjoyable. Lovely weather, long sunny days, and warm walks through the countryside are some of the most pleasant aspects of this time of year. But one of the most popular parts for many is the socialising opportunities outdoors. Creating wonderful outdoor space in your garden to host parties with friends and family or small, intimate gatherings of your nearest and dearest is a great goal for those with a penchant for entertaining guests. We’ve put together some of the most important things that you should be considering when fixing up your garden area to create a great ambience and experience for your visitors.
Stylish Decking
Choosing a good floor for your garden is very important, and wooden decking is a popular choice for several reasons. First, it provides you with extra space to add more décor to the garden and give you room to hang things like lanterns and fairy lights. It also provides sturdy and safe terrain if the weather hasn’t been good and surfaces around your garden are slippery. Lancaster Pro Wash can keep your deck clean and presentable. Decking is pretty affordable, provides a great look for your garden area, and even increases the value of your property if you are considering selling at some point.
Rustic Patio
Another good flooring choice is the patio. Concrete slabs are perfect for creating an even footing for your guests. While lawns may be quite appealing, they can sometimes be lumpy and uneven. If your guests aren’t wearing suitable footwear, this can be a trip hazard. Patio space gives a hard, safe surface that even decking doesn’t provide. This even surface is great for your furniture, too and allows you to choose from a much wider variety of chairs, especially those that have legs that would sink into lawns, creating holes and damage.
Choose Your Furniture
The furniture you choose should be considered carefully. While the terrain is an important part of this decision, you’ll also want to take into account the theme and style of your garden as well as what your guests may expect when visiting. If you’re into hosting classy events with cocktails and formal attire, then you might want to consider furniture that offers a more elegant look compared to rustic. This doesn’t mean that the furniture has to be uncomfortable, but it should be easily accessible and sturdy. On the other hand, if you’re expecting to host more friendly, intimate, and impromptu events, you might opt for cosy sofas and swing seats for people to lounge about on.
Add Lighting
When adding some atmosphere to your garden, outdoor fairy lights are a classic choice. With enough of these, you can create a sense of wonder and mystique to your evening while also providing guests with enough light to find their way around your garden in the dark. The versatility of LED lighting allows you to wrap and drape these around your furniture and things like decking railings and pergola beams. Smart lighting, as well as solar lighting, are also great options as these can be turned on in the evenings with ease. Solar lights will come on automatically after being charged throughout the day by the sunlight, and you can set timers for your smart lights. With some of these bulbs, you can even change the colour too.
Grow Fresh Treats
What else is a garden for, if not growing, wonderful plants for you and your guests to enjoy? Alongside adding some beautiful, native plants and flowers to your garden’s borders and beds, you may even want to consider planting a selection of fruit trees or bushes to supply fresh, mouth-watering treats to your party guests. Not only will fresh strawberries and raspberries be a delicious addition to your food spread, but these plants can also serve as a focal point for your garden. Separating your garden into multiple areas is a great idea for keeping the place interesting. And for reliable assistance with invasive plants like knotweed, consider hiring a trusted knotweed removal company to ensure a vibrant and healthy garden.
Having a space for planting fresh fruit and vegetables is very useful and visually appealing. However, don’t forget that you’ll need to keep your crops safe from pests by buying a fruit cage, for example; otherwise, you’ll find those prized berry bushes and will become a tasty meal for nearby critters. Companies like William James & Co offer a range of options so you can find the perfect one for your garden.
Provide Heating
Sometimes, even in the middle of a heatwave, the evenings can get much cooler. Often, guests fail to prepare for this, and the lack of warm clothing combined with the sudden drop in temperature can be incredibly unpleasant. Gas heater lamps, as well as infrared heaters, are a great way to deal with this problem, taking the chill off of your party allowing people to stay for longer. If you want something a bit more impressive,though, a firepit can be a beautiful addition to your garden. Fixed, stone firepits or mobile, iron braziers are both great options and provide a stunning focal point for the evening while keeping the cold night air at bay.
Deep Clean The Garden
Your patio and decking areas will likely be looking a bit worse for wear after the winter, with algae forming in shadowy, damn spaces following months of drizzle and snow. Remove this grime before hosting guests, as it’s not only unsightly, but it’s actually a slip hazard. Algae growth on your stone and woodwork is very slippy and could cause serious injury to visitors. A great way of tackling this is by using or hiring pressure washer trailers and high pressure pumps to blast dirt, grime, and algae from your slabs and decking. The use of pressure cleaners is also effective in cleaning dirt and grime. You can also find algae removal solutions from garden centres and DIY stores.
Create A Cooking Area
A great idea for a focal feature of your garden is to create some sort of cooking area for your guests to gravitate towards. Barbecues are a great choice for the garden and can help you turn your gatherings into something far better. A fixed barbecue can remove the need to replace gas canisters, allowing you to hook the grill up to your main gas line. These fixed barbecues also serve as an appealing addition to the design of your entire garden area and, in some cases, can even add significant value to your property when part of a well-kept and beautifully designed garden. Another option if you’re looking to add a touch of the Mediterranean to your outdoor area is to choose a large stone pizza oven. Whatever you choose, remember that a cooking area can serve as a great hub for your guests and allow you to host some memorable meals.
Tidy Your Lawn And Borders
Finally, one of the most important steps to preparing your garden for guests is having lawn care maintenance to get your plant life looking nice and neat along your borders. Prune dead leaves and cut back overgrowth to allow your plants to thrive in the spring and summer days. As well as this, you’ll want to keep your lawn trimmed, ready for your guests to explore the garden without feeling as though they’re traipsing through the jungle. Taking care of your lawn in the spring and summertime isn’t overly complicated as long as you concentrate on doing things the right way. Regular mowing, eradicating moss, and providing sustenance for your grass will keep it healthy, and watering it often will reduce the risk of it going yellow and drying out under the hot summer sun.
