How To Prepare Your Home for Entertaining Outdoors

Day or night, entertaining outside is sometimes necessary but almost always fun. People of all ages like to enjoy the nice weather and reconnect with nature while getting together to socialize. Interior design Manhattan Beach can help you set up and organize an entertaining outdoor space that is an extension of your home. Wherever you gather your guests together, whether inside, outside, or somewhere in between, they can stay comfortable and have a good time. Here are some ideas to prepare the outdoor area of your home for entertaining.

Lighting

When considering how to style your outdoor space, it is easy to neglect proper lighting. If you intend to entertain only during the day, this may not be much of an issue. However, if you want to plan outdoor events for the evening or know that your family and friends tend to linger if they are having a good time, proper lighting is something you need to consider. The glow of the fire pit, while cheerful, is probably not sufficient. It would be best if you had base lighting needs along paths and walkways for safety's sake, which landscape lighting can often provide. However, you may also want to consider some decorative lighting for more ambiance.

Shade

When you plan daytime activities, lighting is no longer a problem, but you have to be careful of the heat from the sun's rays. Your outdoor space should always include a shaded area for people to sit and relax, especially if you do not have trees on your property or they are inconveniently located in your yard. The following structures can provide shade wherever you need it:

• Pergolas
• Cabanas
• Canopies
• Gazebos

Structures such as these can also give you more options for decorative lighting in the form of string lights or pendant lamps above the outdoor dining area.

If you do not want your shade to be permanent, you might want to opt for tables with umbrellas that you can raise and lower as necessary or retractable awnings that can cover your whole patio when needed.

Seating

While you may play family games on the lawn, the majority of your guests' time outdoors is probably going to be spent sitting and relaxing. Sectional outdoor furniture is as versatile and inviting as the indoor varieties and may make your guests feel more comfortable and at home out in nature than they might be otherwise. Outdoor furniture can be oversized, compact, or somewhere in between. It is often preferable to choose larger pieces over smaller ones to prevent the yard from feeling cluttered and messy. Whichever size you choose, be sure to select furniture with high-quality frames that can stand up to the weather for many years. You can also protect your investment by using furniture covers in winter.

Get Help From an Interior Design Professional

Don't think that your outdoor space is beyond the purview of a Santa Barbara interior designer. These professionals exist to help make all your living spaces more functional and beautiful. This includes the entertaining spaces exterior to the house as well as the interior spaces.