Let’s Take this Outside!
As warmer temperatures approach, you and your friends will be heading outside for get-together’s, barbeque’s, picnics, and all of your other favorite summer activities. If you plan to host some rockin’ summer parties, you’ll need to make sure the backyard is ready to entertain. Read on to find out if your backyard is summer-ready, or if you need a few more improvements to amp up the yard (and the party.)
Get Things Flowing
There is nothing so soothing as the sound of trickling water or a quiet fountain in the background. Even in the smallest backyard there is always room for a water feature. Adding fish such as Koi is certainly an option, but it’s not absolutely necessary. Kits available at home improvement centers make adding a water feature a simple weekend project. Don’t let the big plastic inserts fool you. They make the process much easier, and with the right amount of decoration you’ll have an attractive pond that looks 100% natural.
If you’re not quite ready for a pond, consider an attractive fountain that you can turn on and off at your leisure. A beautiful fountain paired with some magical twinkle lights will create the ultimate ambiance for any summer party.
Unleash the Power of the Sun
With innovations in solar lighting, adding accents to walkways and flowerbeds is a snap. Adding solar is an easy project that won’t break the bank and doesn’t require the services of a licensed electrician. Solar lighting is easily purchased at home improvement centers and is available in a variety of styles that will fit every homeowner’s tastes and budget. The possibilities are endless when it comes to solar lighting, so join the 21st century and let the summer sun give you more than just a sunburn.
Rethink Your Deck
Whether you’re outgrowing your existing deck or you haven’t got around to building one, now is the perfect time to create your backyard masterpiece. The deck will be the optimal space for placing food, or just sitting around chatting on cool summer nights. For homeowners with existing decks, doing a build-out simply means adding a bit more square footage to the current footprint if you think your deck is too small. This is a good time to think outside the box, and place your deck addition either one step down or one step up, from your main structure. This adds a bit of dimension, and actually makes the construction process a little easier. The professionals of Pest Detective who specialize in pest control in Surrey suggest that you carefully survey the area where you plan to build or add on to your deck to ensure that no animals have made any burrows or nests. You don’t want to turn your deck into a hangout for pests and critters.
Additionally, you might consider investing in some patio furniture that consists of more than just a few plastic chairs. Any deck equipped with comfy chairs, a roomy table, and an umbrella to block out the summer sun, is definitely ready for summer entertaining.
Walk This Way
You can add a little personal touch to the backyard by adding a little walkway that directs your guests. You can create a walkway with the look of real stone by using plastic concrete forms. Using easy to mix concrete, you can easily create the illusion of natural stone. Plastic forms are reusable and special coloring agents can be added to concrete that will imitate various types of stone that would otherwise be very expensive. If you want a more simple look (or a simpler project), you can obtain flat stones from any home gardening store and quickly create a stone walkway to lead your guests to the fun.
Light a Fire Under This Party
You can’t have a summer party without the s’mores! Fire pits are more popular than ever, and homeowners have the option to build one from scratch or buy a portable model that can easily be moved or stored when necessary. Choose an area like a concrete patio or stone area that will safely hold a firepit if you choose to buy one that sits up off the ground—this way you’re a lot less likely to set your yard on fire.
If you choose to build your own, be sure that you dig in an area that isn’t too close to dry grass, bushes, or trees to ensure the safety of your guests as well as the yard. While home improvement centers will offer small portable models, Commercial brick and stone suppliers will generally sell kits that can easily be assembled on site.
Tackling one project at a time will ensure that things get finished, and you’ll soon have your very own backyard, summer party zone. Don’t think that you have to do a total yard overhaul to make your backyard a fun place to hang out this summer—put in a little time (and a little sweat) and you’ll soon have an area that all your neighbors and friends will want to get together to enjoy starry summer nights together.