The chilly sea breezes of winter have blown over and as the days become longer and the weather becomes warmer – people emerge from their homes to enjoy the sunshine and spend more time outdoors. For many of us the warmer months means more braaing, swimming and quality time with friends and family.
Coinciding with the holidays, the months of November and December is the ideal time to entertain guests in your garden or around the pool - but is your patio, courtyard, garden or veranda equipped for entertaining this summer?
If not, here are a few things you can do to create the perfect outdoor entertainment area for the summer months:
Plan and Design Your Space
Before you go out and buy furniture, build a braai or invest in landscaping – you have to first plan how you want your outdoor entertainment area to look. Think about how you are going to use this space. If you have a small area to work with consider using dual-purpose features and if you have a large garden, you can section it so that you do not have an entire backyard to maintain. After you have planned the layout, you can start designing the way you would like your entertainment area to look – colour scheme, décor and any other aesthetics should be considered.
Make Use of Comfortable Seating
Your outdoor entertainment area should be a comfortable space where your guests can lounge around and relax during get-togethers. One of the simplest ways to create a laid-back atmosphere is to make use of comfy seating. Couches, chairs, recliners can all be used to enhance the look and functionality of your outdoor area. When selecting your seating, choose practically and ensure that any piece of furniture, that will be spending a large amount of time outdoors, is weatherproof and that it goes with the overall aesthetic you are trying to create.
A Little Green Goes a Long Way
Landscaping can be a fantastic way to add some subtle touches to your outdoor entertainment space. When there is no greenery your courtyard or veranda can come across as cold and uninviting. By thoughtfully incorporating some foliage you can really spruce up your outdoor space. Plant some herbs next to the braai area for easy use, or opt for hardy plants such as succulents for minimal maintenance.
Sufficient Lighting is Important
While the sun sets later during summer, your guests are likely to stay long after the sun has gone down. Efficient lighting is therefore vital to your outdoor entertainment area. Not only is adequate lighting an important safety measure, which will prevent your guests from stumbling and potentially falling in the dark, but it is also a great way to create a cosy, charming atmosphere. By simply adding some fairy lights or solar lamps in your garden – you can make your outdoor entertainment area look and feel more inviting.
Ultimately your outdoor entertainment area needs to be a space that you will love as much as your guests will – decorate according to the styles you enjoy and think practically about the furniture and spatial choices you make. Hermanus Property Sales provides useful tips and advice on every stage of the property ownership journey. With years of experience, we have gained abundant knowledge and insights which we utilise in order to provide you with the best guidance.
Author:Hermanus Property Sales.
