No matter what time of year it is, there’s always something wholesome about utilizing your home’s outdoor space. Whether you’re having a cookout with friends in the summer, playing with the kids in your small backyard in the spring, or getting cozy by a fire in the winter or fall with family, expanding your outdoor entertainment area is always an excellent idea for get-togethers.
Elite Outdoor Expressions offers many options for improving your backyard designs—from decks to outdoor furniture, pergolas, and more, the possibilities are virtually endless with ideas to upgrade your outdoor space. Here are a few of our favorites for sprucing up your outdoor living room before your next get-together!
Add a Flower Covered Pergola
Being outside during the heat of summer may not be everyone’s idea of a good time, but when there’s shade to offer some relief from the heat, it makes it much more tolerable. Pergolas are a great way to add a touch of elegance to your backyard design while also providing that sought-after shade for summer parties!
If you have a bit of a green thumb, having flowers or vines grow up the sides of your pergola can add a beautiful centerpiece to your outdoor space. Your pergola can be custom designed for whatever needs you have, but adding flowers will undoubtedly have your guests talking.
Upgrade your Furniture
Whenever you’re entertaining guests, you’ll always want to make sure they’re comfortable. Even if you have a small backyard, ensuring that you have patio furniture that is functional and works for your space doesn’t have to be complicated.
Your outdoor furniture has to be able to withstand the elements, so we suggest choosing from a selection of low-maintenance pieces that are typically made with polyvinyl materials. You can stop by the Elite Vinyl showroom in New Holland, Pa. and choose from a wide variety of outdoor furniture styles, including dining sets, benches, rockers, accessories, and more.
Design for Your Outdoor Space
If you’ve lived in Central PA for any significant amount of time, you know that the surroundings can be quite beautiful. Living in a more rural area (or even urban if you have enough space), you likely have outdoor space to enjoy when you want to entertain. But what if you love the natural look of your backyard and don’t want your furniture to intrude on what nature has to offer?
When that’s the case, consider getting inspired by your surroundings and working with them instead of against! What we mean is, take the time to look for furniture pieces that look natural. Woodgrain or even stone features can make your entertainment area an extension of your home that turns the space into an outdoor living room for you to enjoy. Going a more rustic route will complement the natural landscape and truly make you feel at one with nature.
Consider an Outdoor Kitchen or Bar
It may seem like an expensive investment you don’t need, but outdoor kitchens are becoming increasingly popular for homeowners. Not only do outdoor kitchens add significant value to a home, but they also function as great entertainment areas for guests and families of any size.
The best part about outdoor kitchens is that they don’t have to be huge and elaborate—they can be as simple as a countertop to sit at and serve guests while you grill up some food, or as complex as a full kitchen with an oven and refrigerator. The options are completely customizable and can be made to fit whatever your personal needs may be.
Consider a Water or Fire Feature
When you have a small backyard, utilizing every square foot is necessary to make your outdoor space feel cozy without being completely cluttered. But if you have space, you can make your backyard warmer (literally and figuratively) by adding a nice fire pit for friends and family to gather around.
Another great option is to add a water feature to your backyard design. This can range from a small pond with a few fish, or even just a simple fountain that offers that calming ambient noise for you and your guests to enjoy.
Add a Covered and/or Screened Space
Do summer pests have you bummed about being outside? Now’s the perfect time to add a covered or screened-in porch to your backyard so you can enjoy the outdoors without pesky bugs bothering you.
With an open-air screen porch, you can feel the breeze and be in the shade with family or friends without any of the hassle and mess of the outdoors. If you don’t have a fenced-in yard, this is also an excellent option to let your furry friends enjoy the outdoor weather without having to worry about them getting loose.
Have a Supply of Games
Nothing completes an adult get-together more than pulling out a few different board or card games, but games can get damaged or pieces can go missing when you play outside. Luckily, there are a few outdoor games that we think are great alternatives and are just as entertaining!
Oversized Chess
If you enjoy a challenging game of logic, chess may be one of your go-to board games. But did you know there are oversized boards that you can play outside in your backyard? This is a great way to enjoy the outdoor weather and get yourself out of a chair while still playing a low-key game that most guests enjoy.
Cornhole
Cornhole is a party-goer classic. If you’ve never played before, it’s effortless to set up – all you need are cornhole boards and a few beanbags! There are a few variations in games or rules, but most people know how to play already, making it an easy game for entertaining in your outdoor space.
Giant Dice
You’ll never have to worry about losing your dice again when you play with giant yard dice! These 6-sided blocks are typically made of wood, but you can buy foam ones to make sure no little ones hurt themselves. The best part is that you can play any standard dice game with them, or even a few outdoor-centric yard dice games.
Jumbo Jenga
Jenga is a stressful game in a typical scenario, but with jumbo Jenga, you don’t have to worry about anyone shaking the table prematurely. The best part is that you can easily make your own jumbo Jenga set with a few pieces of cut 2×4 planks and have a game that everyone can enjoy.
No matter what games you want to play or how you want to organize and decorate your outdoor space, Elite Outdoor Expressions will be there to help. When you’re looking to create the perfect outdoor entertainment area, you’ll only have to buy it once to use it for life. Contact us today to get your next outdoor project started!
