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S ATURDAY EDITION | J UNE 10, 2017 |
SECTION C
Summer
Home & Garden
Spruce up outdoor
spaces for summer
entertainment
Better weather means
increased chances to
showcase gardens, patios
COURTESY PHOTO
A well-tended landscape and maintained outdoor furniture help guests feel welcome in outside spaces.
B
eautiful weather makes for great opportunities to invite friends over for a starry soiree
under the nighttime sky or a sunny afternoon on the back deck. Unlike house parties at
which guests will be spending most of their time indoors and in various rooms through-
out the house, outdoor parties are often limited to smaller areas, such as patios. That can make
things much less taxing on hosts, who won’t have much prep work to do to get an outdoor
hosting area ready. The following are a few areas to address before guests arrive for your next
outdoor get-together.
want to keep an extra tank
handy just to be safe.
C LEAR DEBRIS
The walkways and patio
may not need too much at-
tention, but give them a
once-over with a broom
to clear any debris. When
clearing the patio of debris,
move all furniture, making
sure to sweep up any debris,
including food, that might
have fallen beneath tables
and chairs since your last
outdoor activity. If the patio
is especially dirty, consider
power washing it to remove
stubborn stains that can rob
the area of its aesthetic ap-
peal.
C LEAR WALKWAYS
Summer can be a great time to gather friends and family for an outdoor meal together.
Whether people grill, plan a potluck, roast s'mores or do other activities, having a comfort-
able, wind-protected outdoor space allows alternative options to eating at a restaurant.
C LEAN THE FURNITURE
Whether it’s been months since your last
party on the patio or just a few days, the
furniture must be cleaned. Unless items
have been stored in a garage or shed,
patio furnishings are exposed to the ele-
ments, and that means dirt, soil, soot or
pollen may have accumulated on the fur-
niture. Wipe down all cushions, using a
mild detergent when necessary. Cushions
may need some time to dry, so make this
one of your fi rst tasks, and leave cushions
out in the sun so they dry more quickly.
Once the cushions have been cleaned,
wipe down the furniture with a wet towel
to clear them of any dirt or debris.
C LEAN , INSPECT THE GRILL
The grill is a go-to accessory when
hosting an outdoor party, so give the
grill a thorough cleaning before the fi rst
guests arrive. Nothing brings a party to a
halt like hunger, and guests may begin to
grow antsy if they are not served food in
a reasonable amount of time.
If you are using a propane grill, check
to make sure the tanks are full as you
clean the grill. Running out of propane is
a summer soiree faux pas, so you might
Your guests will likely be
using the same entryway
over and over again during
the party, so focus on clean-
ing this area so guests don’t
trip or have to jump over
toys on their way to an in-
door restroom. Once the en-
tryway has been cleared of
potential tripping hazards,
make sure the indoor path
to the restroom is clear as
well.
P REPARE
LOW - MAINTENANCE FOODS
AND DRINKS
Reduce clean up time by choosing foods
that do not require cutlery. These could
include grilled kebabs, a cheese tray and
other fi nger foods that guests can handle
with their hands — as well as the tradi-
tional hamburgers and hotdogs.
For drinks, consider drink dispensers
with lids or easily-pourable spouts. Dis-
pensers may also help keep out insects. If
possible, choose cups with wide bases to
prevent spills.
— Metro Creative Graphics