As we inch closer to summer here in Wisconsin, the weather is still a little tricky. These middle of the spring weeks offer plenty of variety, but the days when we have 70 and 80 degree weather have us all looking forward to the Wisconsin summer patio season. Whether you’re hosting a Memorial Day gathering or a party later in the summer, it’s never too early to start thinking about your patio decor and functionality.
Clean it Up
The first thing you’ll want to do in your patio space is clean it up from the long winter. If you have concrete, a good power wash really makes a difference. Spray off any cobwebs, built up dirt, and grime from the winter on all of your patio spaces, including your furniture. Most outdoor cushions can be washed in the washing machine, so if they’re less than fresh from being stored all winter, decide if they need a wash, or simply to be aired out. Now that you’ve cleaned your space, you can see if you are still loving your furniture from last year, or if you’re in need of a refresh. Oftentimes, a few new pillows or cushions can make a big difference!
Seating
It can be really fun to choose seating for your patio. There are so many stylish options out there that can make your outdoor space truly feel like an extension of your home. If you’re hosting a lot of parties this summer, consider a variety of seating options for guests of all shapes and sizes. It is much appreciated by parents if there is a seating option for children that is safe, comfortable, and can be easily seen and accessed by adult caregivers. You might also want to think about having seating of different heights for those that might struggle getting in and out of seating that is too high or too low.
Once you’ve chosen your different seating options, you can decorate with an outdoor rug, pillows, lanterns, and throws. Choose a color palette and stick with it for all of your decor. Shades of blues, greens, and yellows make the perfect outdoor color palette for summer. Or, if you’re hosting Memorial Day and Fourth of July parties, navy, white, and red colors look nice all season long too.
Drink Station
There are so many fun options for a drink station on your patio. The main items you need are a place to store ice and cold beverages, drinkware, an ice bucket, garnishes, and of course a place to organize it all. Any table can be used for a drink station, and you can even DIY something you’ve got laying around, like an old nightstand, bar cart, or console. A fresh coat of paint in your color scheme will do the trick.
To store ice and drinks, a cooler works, but if you want to be fancier try a galvanized bucket filled with ice. You can create a signature drink and make a large batch in a drink canister. You can also have a canister filled with water. Reusable plastic drinkware is best for outdoor parties, and you can find cute options that match your colors. Make sure to have an ice bucket and some small bowls filled with cut up lemons, limes, cucumbers, or sprigs of mint to garnish water or sparkling water for a beautiful looking drink. Don’t forget a gorgeous tea towel for drying off wet cans and bottles. You can keep some of these same ideas in mind if you’ll be serving snacks or a meal for your patio party too!
Special Considerations
When hosting an outdoor party, it’s important to think about your guests and what their needs might be. If you’ll have children, elderly guests, or simply people that want to stay out of the sun, you’ll definitely want to consider how you’ll provide shade. A simple, quick fix is to set up a pop up tent that can be staked into the ground and will provide a few spots in the shade. But if you’re looking for something more permanent, a stainless steel or wooden pergola makes a lovely addition to any outdoor space. You could also opt for a large umbrella with a table and chairs underneath. If you’re hosting a larger gathering, you might even opt for one or more of these shady spaces.
Lighting
Outdoor string lighting is still a popular trend. If your party will continue on into the night you may want to consider a fun way to brighten up your space. If you have a pergola or outdoor tent, you can string lights in a V shape, or criss cross through the middle. If you want to hang lights, but don’t have anywhere to hang them from, you can easily DIY planter pot poles to hang them from using cute planter pots, quick drying concrete, and wooden poles. Don’t forget the lighting for your tables! Candles or lanterns are an elegant touch.
Whether you’re hosting the first party of the season, or you’re gearing up for an entire summer of patio entertaining, we hope you find a few tips that will turn you into the talk of the neighborhood, in a good way!