Simple Ways to Refresh Your Indoor and Outdoor Spaces for Summer Entertaining
The warmer weather often conjures up images of summer parties and events. Say hello to hosting friends and family, and those weekend gatherings that last well into the evening. If you love entertaining during the summer then you may be thinking it’s time to refresh your home.
At AHG we’ve got you covered. We’re diving into all the ways you can renew your indoor and outdoor spaces for summer entertaining.
Refresh Your Indoor Spaces for Summer Entertaining
You want your home to look its best when you have guests over. There are many ways big and small you can upgrade your interior spaces. Keep reading for our tips below.
Add Fresh Flowers and Plants Indoors
Bring the outdoors inside by incorporating plenty of blooms and plants in your home. Fresh floral arrangements are an easy way to spruce up your indoor spaces. Not only do they look beautiful for guests to enjoy but depending on the flowers you choose they’ll make your home smell great. Go for seasonal scents like gardenia, lavender, lilacs, or lilies.
Crate & Barrel
Small indoor trees are also a great way to brighten up a space and add new life. They make a space feel inviting and fun for visitors. Refinery29 has a list of indoor plant recommendations for summer. We recommend visiting your local nursery or farmer's market for inspiration.
Swap Out Accents
Now is also a good time to refresh your accents and decor with lighter summer options.
Think of incorporating natural woven materials like natural fiber rugs or furnishings and accents with woven touches. Swap out your dark and heavy throw pillows and blankets with lighter alternatives. Don’t forget bedding too, ditch those heavy sheets for lighter linens and blankets. Or think about changing your window treatments to fit with the warmer weather, like sheer flowing curtains.
Made
Serena & Lily’s Summer Collection is a great place to start browsing for new summer accent pieces.
Country Living
Upgrade Your Dining and Dinnerware
Rember it’s the details that can take an event from ordinary to memorable. Upgrading your dishware and dining accents can go a long way in making your summer dinner parties feel special.
Dwell
Go for lighter colors or fun prints. Think about using melamine dinnerware sets for outdoor use. We love blue and white sets for a classic color combination, like the Puebla Collection from Pottery Barn. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with a classic cream or white set, with some texture to add visual interest like the Cambria Collection also from Pottery Barn.
Multifunctional Furnishings and Intentional Furniture Arrangements
When you’re entertaining, you’ll also want your furniture to work double duty. Depending on the condition and functionality of your current furnishings, it may be time to upgrade.
Think about an ottoman that can function as extra seating or an extra side table when you need it. A dining table that expands is a must if you love to have guests over for dinner parties. Pieces with built-in storage are great for when you need to hide away clutter.
Serena & Lily
You may need a console table that can double as a buffet station or bar when you have guests over. Also, think about side chairs you can bring out for extra seating as needed.
You not only should think about having multipurpose furniture, but your furniture arrangements should be functional for gatherings. Set up zones by arranging furniture into multiple seating areas. This allows for good flow throughout the space so people don’t bottleneck in one spot.
Also, think about having extra side tables for people to place drinks and plates, so they don’t have to worry about balancing everything while they’re eating.
Refresh Your Outdoor Spaces for Summer Entertaining
Don’t forget your outdoor spaces too! If your summer gatherings blend indoor and outdoor living, then you’ll want to be sure your exterior spaces look great as well. We’ve got outdoor decorating advice for you below.
Spruce up Your Landscaping
You not only want to think about adding flowers and greenery inside, but you’ll want to refresh your landscaping outside as well.
Ensure everything looks clean and well maintained. This means overgrown plants are cut back and fallen leaves and flowers have been swept up.
Serena & Lily
Introduce new plants and florals to make the space more inviting. Even adding a few potted plants can make your patio or balcony look beautiful and lush. Your local nursery can help point you in the right direction.
Invest in Quality Outdoor Furnishings and Seating
If it’s been several years since you’ve purchased outdoor furniture, then it may be time to refresh your outdoor space with new furnishings.
Think about setting up your outdoor space for entertaining with both seating and dining options. Again creating zones will help you maximize the functionality of your available space.
Studio McGee
You’ll want to also think about furniture that’s meant to last outside. Look for pieces that are durable and can withstand the elements. For more advice, check out our outdoor furniture guide.
Install an Outdoor Kitchen or Bar
To really take your entertaining to the next level, consider installing an outdoor kitchen or bar.
Architectural Digest
A full outdoor kitchen setup will include a grill, cooktop, fridge, sink, and bar area. But if you don’t have space or the budget to go all out you can do something more minimal with just a bar area or grill and bar.
Think about how it should complement your indoor kitchen and coordinate with your landscaping and home's architecture. The materials and appliances you select should be durable and made for outdoor use.
Include a Focal Point
Think about creating an outdoor seating area around an engaging focal point, like a fireplace or fire pit. Not only does a fire feature create a cozy and inviting atmosphere, but it allows you to take your daytime gatherings into the evening.
Architectural Digest