The weather is turning warmer, and with it comes the urge to head outdoors and bask in the pleasant evening temperatures. What better way to soak up the summer months than to plan a BBQ and invite your friends and family?
If you’re going to be warming up the grill in the next couple months, right now is the time to prepare your backyard for the perfect BBQ gathering. Here a few ways you can get started:
New Patio Furniture
Tired of seating your guests on rickety folding chairs or the nearest comfortable rock? It could be time to invest in a new set of patio furniture. Do some research online, or hit up local garage sales or Craigslist posts for some sweet deals.
Finding used patio furniture in decent condition is likely to be a shot in the dark, so buying a brand new set might be the best option for something long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing. Keep weather in mind when you’re making your purchases – if your patio isn’t covered, you want something that isn’t going to get damaged by any summer rainstorms.
New Patio
If you’re going to have new furniture, you should probably start with a clean slate from the foundation up. Clear out that old deck and invest in a new patio in any material you prefer! You can keep it conventional with flagstone or stained wood, or go for something unexpected like astroturf.
The latest innovative trends include luxurious travertine and stamped concrete. With stamped concrete, you get the appearance of fancier materials with the ease and price of a simple concrete deck. If you want to tackle the project yourself, you’ll need to invest in a concrete curing blanket and other equipment to protect your unfinished patio from the elements.
New Grill
Might as well get a shiny new grilling machine to go with the new patio and furniture, eh? The grill itself is the crux of the event, after all. Head to your nearest home improvement store to start browsing your options.
Keep in mind what kind of grilling space you’ll need for the size of parties you plan to host. And, when choosing a color, make sure it doesn’t mess up the look you’ve taken pains to achieve with the deck and the furniture. And no new grill is complete without a set of grilling tools and a cheesy apron to go with it. Kiss the Cook, right?
New Recipes
All of your hard work making your patio a picturesque scene will go to waste if your food is lacking. Have people scraped your potato salad into the trash in years past? It’s time to mix it up! Start asking around for tried and true recipes, or do some searching on the Internet. Never underestimate the power of adding bacon and some fresh seasoning to a bland recipe.
Need some confidence in your grilling skills? Can’t hurt to start practicing now! Your family probably won’t complain, although your neighbors will have to suffer through the scent of grilled burgers every evening.
About the author: Katie Hawkes is a freelance blogger for Regal Tool, the premier shopping destination for everything from concrete curing blankets to hydrostatic test pumps.
Credits: Photos courtesy of Nizar Mabroukeh and Jessica Rossi.