During the summer and winter months, nothing beats having an amazing outdoor lounging space in which to relax and take in the sunshine. Such spaces also make for great entertaining if you enjoy having friends and family over for a backyard summer barbeque.
If you are looking to transform your patio into the perfect summer hangout space, here are four items that you will want to consider buying.
1. A Sunshade
While it is nice and relaxing to sit outside soaking up the summertime sun, there is nothing worse than getting a sunburn from too much sun exposure. Moreover, if you are hoping to have a cookout in your backyard, you will certainly want to have a sunshade on hand in order to keep the patio cool and comfortable.
Restaurants and resorts have their own commercial umbrellas for their outdoor seats and lounges. Similarly, the perfect sunshade solution that you can fold up when you want to be in the sun and then open up again if you get too hot is an outdoor umbrella, and the best patio umbrellas will be the kind that will be anchored and secured into place—meaning that you don’t have to worry about it blowing away if the wind kicks up.
2. Comfortable Lounging Furniture
Since you are taking the time to create your ideal outdoor space, make sure that you select some comfortable outdoor furniture to lounge on. You want to have enough seating for any guest you might be having over, but you also want to make sure that you can have a nice place to lay out on those lazy summer afternoons.
You can’t go wrong with a relaxing and space-efficient hammock with a stand. These pieces are held securely in place and are the ideal spot to catch up on some reading in the sunshine. They also complement pretty much any other furniture that you choose to have in your outdoor space.
3. Mosquito-Repelling Plants
With all the amazing things about summertime, one of the less enjoyable aspects to warmer weather that you must be mindful of is the onset of mosquitoes. Everyone knows how uncomfortable and itchy the bites of these pests can be, and they can spoil any outdoor activity. They can be especially irritating when you are trying to relax in one place.
While spray repellents are an option, you should also look into placing some mosquito-repelling plants on your patio to help keep the bugs at bay. Plants such as basil and citronella are great choices, and others, for example, lavender and marigolds can help to repel mosquitoes while adding a lovely pop of color to your outdoor space.
4. A Fire Pit
If you have the space, a fire pit is an excellent way to add an interesting and unique piece to the overall design of your space. Not only will a fire pit be the perfect focal point for your space, but it will also be ideal for roasting marshmallows when you are in the mood for a classic summertime s’more. Furthermore, a fire pit will help keep you warm in the winter months, allowing you to enjoy your amazing outdoor space all year long.