Not everyone gets to build their dream home from the ground up. This often means that the entertainers among us who love spending time with family and friends won’t always have purpose-built properties to suit our love for entertaining.
However, not having an entertainer’s paradise right away doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get one. It can take hard work, but you might be able to transform your property into a haven for your loved ones by taking these steps below:
Step 1: Build a Deck
Out of all the things to focus on when you decide to renovate your property for entertaining, decking and landscaping would have to be at the top of the list. A deck gives you an outdoor area to entertain your loved ones when the weather allows.
Rather than being cooped up inside on a sunny day, you can spread out on a purpose-built deck and spend time together. Decks can even be desirable for homeowners who simply want somewhere nice to relax with a book and a cold drink.
Due to how complex deck-building can be, not to mention the effort that goes into thinking about where to put one, hiring a deck-building expert can be worthwhile. They can share insight into the best place to build your deck, such as where you receive midday and afternoon sunshine in a cool climate and shade in a warm climate.
Deck builders can also incorporate custom features you might not otherwise be able to achieve yourself, such as built-in seating, rails, and pergolas. You might even be able to choose from a range of materials like PVC, composite decking, and pressure-treated wood, depending on what will suit your home’s look the most.
Step 2: Start Landscaping
If you want to spend more time entertaining and less time weeding and gardening, design an outdoor area that’s both aesthetically appealing and low maintenance. Incorporate hardscapes that require minimal maintenance and focal points your guests will love to explore. You might even consider incorporating lit pathways so your guests can enjoy your property no matter the outside light levels.
Step 3: Create An Outdoor Kitchen
While there’s nothing wrong with using your indoor kitchen to prepare meals and snacks for guests, it can be an isolating experience. While your guests are outside enjoying the weather and each other’s company, you’re stuck inside. Outdoor kitchens can be game-changers. Whether you purchase a grill, a pizza oven, or an entire outdoor kitchen setup, you can prepare incredible food without having to leave your guests to their own devices.
Step 4: Buy Focal Points
Your guests are likely going to have plenty of fun when you invite them over for a meal at your home. However, you can make their experience even more enjoyable by buying goods for your property to keep them entertained.
Hot tubs, snooker tables, lawn games, and fire pits are just a few of the many options worth considering. Depending on your budget, location, and yard size, you might even consider a swimming pool. If you haven’t yet landscaped your yard, consider purchasing such items before you start. Landscaping designs can then be formed around them.
Step 5: Create Indoor-Outdoor Flow
The warmer months of the year can be when homeowners do the most entertaining. If you’ve built a deck or patio area outside your home’s entrance to enjoy, now could be the right time to create that all-important indoor-outdoor flow. This can involve buying outdoor furniture similar to pieces you have in your home, adding potted plants, and purchasing outdoor rugs and soft furnishings to tie both areas together.
Step 6: Design a Guest Bedroom
While many guests will return to their own homes after visiting you, some might be eager to stay if they’ve traveled quite a while to get to your property. In that case, part of creating an entertainer’s paradise can involve designing a guest bedroom.
Any spare room in your home can become a comfortable and welcoming environment for a guest. Paint it a neutral color, add a comfortable bed with high-quality bedding, and provide a dresser for guests to add their clothes if they’re staying longer than overnight.
While it can be tempting to use spare bedrooms as a dumping ground for odds and ends, try to keep it free of personal clutter. Your guests might then feel more comfortable in your space. Roll up fresh towels and place them on the bed as a finishing touch.
Step 7: Purchase Servingware
Everyday dishes and servingware you use for your family may not be suitable for guests. They might not be large enough, or you might not have enough to ensure everyone has something to eat from. Ensure you have enough bowls, plates, and cups for guests and purchase platters to serve snacks like crackers and cheese. An extra set of cutlery, serving utensils, and additional wine and beer glasses can also be helpful.
Step 8: Plan for the Evenings
Entertaining during the day is easy. There’s plenty of light and warmth to enjoy a deck or patio area. However, it can often be much tougher at night if you don’t have a plan in place for combating the cold and darkness.
If you plan on making outdoor nighttime entertaining a regular occurrence, start exploring lighting and heating options. Both electric and solar-powered outdoor lights can be effective for illuminating a deck or patio area.
If cold temperatures will stop you from enjoying your outdoor space in earnest, look for suitable outdoor heaters. There are a number of options to choose from, such as electric patio heaters, propane patio heaters, and hanging ceiling-mounted heaters wired into your home’s electricity supply. Weigh up the pros and cons of various options, and you’re sure to find a heater to suit your unique needs.
Creating an entertainer’s paradise doesn’t have to be the significant undertaking you expect it to be. In just eight steps, you can be on your way to inviting guests into your home to enjoy quality time together in comfort and style.
