How To Improve Your Garden for Entertaining Guests

In the Summer months, when the sun is shining and the birds are tweeting, it’s nice to have family and friends around for a BBQ and a few drinks.

But in order to do that, you need to make sure your outside space is fit for receiving visitors.

Take a look below at some of the things you can do to improve your garden for entertaining guests.

Provide Some Shade!

Sitting outside in the sun is great but before too long it can get really uncomfortable and, if you’re not wearing sun cream, you might get sunburnt too. Providing some sort of shade for your guests will be welcomed by all, whether it’s a parasol or a garden awning.

An awning may cost more than a parasol but can easily be retracted when not in use and doesn’t necessarily have to be fitted to your property’s exterior wall. Some companies can even create bespoke freestanding structures so an awning can be positioned elsewhere in the garden.

Both parasols and awnings can provide shade and shelter from the rain, making them a great purchase if you like to sit out and enjoy your garden regularly.

If you’ve got a large garden space then a gazebo might be worth investing in although in windy weather it’s more of a hassle to take down compared to a parasol or awning.

All Feet On Deck!

A lot of homeowners are now transforming their garden by having decking at the end of their garden for the sole purpose of entertaining guests. The sturdy flooring boards provide the perfect surface to host seating, barbecues and other garden furniture rather than placing them directly onto grass or a patio. Not only is decking practical but it looks good too!

If you’re wondering which type of decking is best then it’s worth considering composite decking because, unlike timber decking, it doesn’t rot and reduces the likelihood of you slipping on it when wet. It might cost more initially but will be worth it long term.

Let There Be Light!

Having some sort of lighting in your garden can help to set the mood once the sun sets and allows your guests to continue to enjoy themselves well into the night. We’re not talking stadium floodlights here (I’m sure your neighbours wouldn’t be impressed with that), but some subtle lighting can go a long way.

If you have flower beds or a real lawn, then the solar-powered garden lamps that stick into the soil are a great choice, whilst some other people prefer to hang fairy lights or festoon lights across their fence or hedgerow to provide lighting effects that are subtle enough not to disturb anyone.

Going for a rustic, traditional feel? Then take a look at some of the old lantern designs that you can buy. Not only do they look amazing but they can be used with candles or wired up to the electrics, depending on which style you buy.

Take A Seat!

If you’re looking to host guests then they need somewhere to sit and a place to rest their drinks. Synthetic rattan furniture is a great choice because it’s quick to dry out and doesn’t rot, making it the perfect weatherproof furniture for any climate.

Garden tables come in all shapes and sizes. Depending on how many people you plan to have over and the size of your garden, you may wish to buy a large table or multiple smaller tables. Glass isn’t recommended in case someone has an accident but there’s plenty of alternatives out there to choose from.

Check your local home and garden shops or browse online to see what sort of furniture would suit your garden’s aesthetic.