With warmer weather comes outdoor parties, gardening, and barbecues. Have the best season yet by making a few changes to plan your ideal space.

Create Zones

The first step to creating a backyard or outdoor space you love is to designate zones. Yes, this requires some tidying and organizing of the backyard, but consider it an extension of your home. Try to contain the toys in one area, set aside a seating area for chats around a fire pit, add a dining area by the grill, and maybe a few raised garden beds.

Of course, your yard may not have space for all of these: start by imagining how you would ideally spend your time outside and divide the area to make room for those important things. 

Clear a Path

Separate each zone with a walking path to keep everything in its place. With a marked path, toys and chairs are more likely to stay in their sections (or it’s easier to explain where they belong), and it demonstrates the intentionality you put into the area. 

You can also keep the pathway along the edges if you want the center to be a large play area. Again, think about your ideal use of the space and design accordingly.

Add Seating

Sometimes it’s fun to spread a blanket and have a picnic outside… but not for every meal, and especially not for every guest. Outdoor seating can be pricey, but you can also find great used options on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. April is the perfect time to start looking since families will be selling their older dining sets to prepare for the new season.

String Twinkle Lights

No outdoor space is complete without twinkle lights. Whether you go with special globe lights or stick with simple white Christmas lights, either option will add a magical touch to your evenings outside.

Don’t Forget Citronella Candles

If you spend any time outside during summer nights, you know you’ll want to keep the bugs away. Citronella torches and candles make a great choice for protecting you when you’re collecting fireflies and hanging out around the firepit. They add to the ambiance, and you can even find torches with a clamp for the railing around the deck.  

Add Some Fun!

Always be ready to entertain outdoors with the classic barbecue games. Cornhole boards can be customized with any color or decoration: order them with your family monogram or paint them the colors of your favorite team. Bocce ball and horseshoes also make great backyard games.

You might have this area always ready for games, or you might just need to rearrange seating when it’s time to pull the games out. Make a plan for the easiest way to use the space, so you don’t have to think about it when you’re hosting a party.

Make It You

Consider your outdoor space an extension of your indoor home, and bring some of your favorite elements outside! Add color through outdoor cushions and make your deck softer with an indoor/outdoor rug. Don’t just keep plants in the ground: add potted plants to tabletops and along the walkways (especially seasonal plants like orange trees or cacti). Large lanterns, either standing or hanging, are functional and decorative.  

Start with the Patio

Garden State Soapstone, Slate & Wood Countertops can help you build the outdoor extension of your home with natural stone tiles and countertops. The durability and versatility make them practically maintenance-free and will add value to your space for years to come. Visit our showroom to start designing!