Your Guide to Setting Up an Open-Air Entertaining Area 

If so, you may think you have to go the traditional route and build up the garden by growing grass, plants and other kinds of greenery. While this is certainly a possibility, it isn’t the only option available to you. 

One idea you should certainly consider is setting up an outdoor entertaining area. It is perfect for warm, sunny days or when the house just feels too stifling. What's more, you don’t have to worry about tidying before guests come over and your garden will serve as the perfect backdrop to any visit. 

Now, if you have never organised such a space before, you may be uncertain about where to begin. Well, in case you need some guidance, this is the article for you. Here, you will learn all the tips and tricks that you need to set up the most gorgeous open-air entertaining area.

An open-air entertainment area is a fairly permanent fixture. Due to this, you won’t be able to make too many changes once everything is in place. This is one of the reasons that it is so important to plan this project out. A good plan will also encourage you to make use of your outdoor space as effectively as possible. 

To begin with, think about whether you will set up an area that is adjacent to your house or if it will be in the middle of your garden. Once you have made this decision, think about how big the entertainment area will be. 

Think about how many people you typically have over at any given point. Do you only have a few friends over? If so, it is best to keep the area small so that it will feel cosy and intimate. In case you have gotten into the habit of entertaining larger crowds, extend this area accordingly. 

Since you will be entertaining in this area, you will be setting down furniture. As such, it is important to create a stable surface. After all, you can’t have your tables and chairs sinking into the ground, can you? Keep in mind, mud can do serious damage to these pieces if you aren’t careful. 

Thus, your first order of business is to create a brick surface that is large enough to support any items you will be placing on it. If you think this would be difficult to manage, it’s not. All you need is some gravel, landscape fabric, sand, and gravel. 

Then, with a little determination and creativity, you can create the perfect surface for your entertainment area. If you are setting up this area a short distance away from your home, make sure to add a stone path as well. This way, when it rains, you don’t have to worry about getting any dirt on your shoes. 

The next thing you need to focus on is finding the best outdoor furniture. Naturally, you are going to want beautifully crafted pieces that will work well with your garden and the pieces inside your home. 

At the same time, be aware of the fact that they will be in an outdoor environment. As such, they need to be specifically built for these conditions. Look for furnishings that are resistant to peeling, cracking, fading, and more. This way, you will not have to keep bringing in the tables and chairs every time the weather gets bad.

Since you are setting up an outdoor area, you can afford to get creative with your furniture ideas. For instance, there is no need to stick with just a regular old set of chairs. Rather, you can set up a swing that can seat several people at a time. 

When you’re entertaining outdoors, you’re at the mercy of the elements. This is regardless of whether it is a sunny day or pouring rain. Thus, you need a proper covering to counteract this. 

Now, there are several options you can consider. If you will be setting up your entertaining area close to your home, then an awning could work quite well. Just attach it to your roof and extend it over the sitting area. 

If the sitting area will be away from your house, construct a freestanding structure. The easiest option here would be to get a large, stylish patio umbrella that is large enough to offer coverage for several chairs and a table. Or, you could set up individual umbrellas for every seat.   

In case you don’t mind creating something more permanent, think about constructing a wooden roof. Although these may take time and money to set up, they do have the benefit of offering far more protection than certain flimsy types of coverings.  

There is nothing more wonderful than relaxing under the stars. In fact, it can often be more fun to make use of an outdoor space once the sun has gone down. That, of course, is as long as you have the right lighting to set the mood. 

For this setting, you should provide just enough illumination to help people see their surroundings. Any path to and from the house should be well-lit as well. At the same time, avoid lights that are overly bright or harsh – this can seem rather jarring against the natural light of the moon and stars. 

In most instances, fairy lights are a great way to set the tone for any gathering. Or, you can set up lanterns around the area to add a beautiful glow. In case there are any trees nearby, hang the lanterns from the branches for a whimsical effect. 

There are many different ideas to select from when setting up an open-air entertaining area. With the above guidelines, though, you will have some notion of where to begin. After this, you can let your creativity and your imagination run wild! 

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