Hello! I’m Sara, and I blog about all things DIY and home decor at Sincerely, Sara D. My family is excited for warmer weather which means we can start hanging out on our back patio again!
Warmer temperature also means it’s entertaining season. We have a pool in our backyard, and we love to host guests – both small and large groups of people.
However, our patio was looking a little bare after the long winter and was definitely not ready for entertaining…
If you have a boring patio like mine was, I will share a few ways you can spruce it up and begin entertaining guests outside!
Dining Set
An outdoor dining set is a must for a patio. It is perfect for family meals and makes entertaining fun! I find I stress less when I entertain outside – the outdoors is the perfect ambience, and I don’t need to worry about a perfectly clean home.
For our space, I used Hampton Bay’s Grayson Outdoor Dining Set. Dark finish contrasts so well with the color of our home and it fits our family so well.
The seats are incredibly comfortable and the round table is perfect for conversation, dinner and/or drinks!
There are so many options for the seat cushion colors, and I went with the midnight blue. It is beautiful!
Shade
On warm summer nights, you will find that without shade you will not want to use the outdoor area. Make sure there is a shaded area in your space.
We are removing the only shade tree in our backyard due to some trouble it causing to our home, so a large umbrella was exactly what our backyard needed to create shade for our dining table.
We have the Hampton Bay 11 ft. Aluminum Cantilever Solar LED Offset Patio Umbrella in Putty, and it is amazing!
The umbrella base is filled with sand, so the Indiana winds won’t be blowing it over (it has already been tested). And it swings so we can move the shade as the sun shifts.
It also has solar powered lights that light up at night and create a beautiful ambience!
Grill
An outdoor living space isn’t complete without a grill. We selected the Weber Genesis II S-335 in black. We have always been a fan of Weber grills, but this one is extra amazing. We can grill steaks (or other eat WHILE simmering a sauce on the side burner. And to top it all off, the grill looks pretty in on the patio!
We can relax with our guest on the back patio and enjoy appetizers and drinks while our meal cooks!
Greenery
The outdoors is already a pretty backdrop for entertaining, but you can step it up a notch by adding even more greenery. I love to add flowers and greenery like evergreens and boxwoods.
The Home Depot Garden Center offers a huge variety of flowers. There are so many options and may come in gorgeous ready-to-go pots like my table centerpiece.
Hanging baskets are also a favorite of mine as well as potted evergreens that provide greenery year-round.
I love potted arborvitae. They last for several years, and once they outgrow their pots, they can be added to the landscaping.
Once you add a dining set, shade, a grill and greenery to your outdoor space, you have the perfect place for entertaining. Whether it is just a space to gather your family for an evening meal or entertain a large group, it will be a space you will use and love!
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