Prepare Your Patio with the Perfect Accessories

by Pam Boyle

Decks and patios are the places where barbeques, bonfires, and other outdoor gatherings feel the best. Before you gather with loved ones outside this summer, prep your deck or patio area with these must-have accessories that can enhance your parties with comfort, style, and safety.

 

Keep cool

Sunny days are ideal for gatherings, but the sun can make it hard for everyone to enjoy themselves. Keep yourself and your guests refreshed cool, comfortable, and hydrated to prevent any heat-related problems.

 

Cooler beverage table 

If you lack space or struggle to find a convenient place to keep a beverage cooler, consider this side table that doubles as a cooler. This convenient piece of furniture is easy for guests to access while they sit and chat and provides a long-lasting chill because of its tight seal, so you won’t have to replace the ice constantly.

Shade sail

Direct sun exposure for prolonged periods can be harmful to your skin, not to mention squinting to see other people isn’t ideal for conversation. Patio umbrellas help block the sun, but they can get knocked over by wind or rain and don’t always provide an area of shade large enough for everyone to use. This shade sail is large enough to keep you and your guests cool and protected from harmful UV rays.

Patio misters 

Canopies and other overhead structures can reduce direct exposure from the sun, but on particularly hot days, the sun’s heat can be felt even in the shade. These patio misters provide a constant, gentle spray of cool water as you walk in and out from under an outdoor structure. Make sure you tell your guests ahead of time to avoid it if they prefer not to get misted.

Bright ideas 

When the sun goes down, the usefulness of your outdoor space shouldn’t go down with it! Try these bright ideas to keep your activities and conversations well-lit.

Solar-powered lanterns  

These sturdy solar-powered metal lanterns mimic a flickering flame to create instant ambiance. Lanterns are popular because they can double as a stylish and practical light source on your deck or patio. If you choose to use solar-powered lanterns, you won’t need to worry about an open flame or replacing the batteries. They are also very versatile, as you can hang them on an exterior wall or place them on your outdoor tables.

Firepit stoker

A firepit can be a lot of fun to sit around, but you should always consider safety over fun. Most people make the mistake of using a stick to poke the fire, but that stick can easily catch fire and hurt someone when you pull it out—and you need to be too close to the flame for the stick to work. This lightweight and sturdy stoker lets you easily maintain control over the flames and logs from a four foot distance. It also comes equipped with a one-way air valve you can blow into to help the fire maintain its energy, which means you no longer need to crouch on the ground to blow on the perfect spot.

 

Grill master must-haves 

Grilled food is a summer staple best enjoyed with loved ones. Use these grill accessories to impress your guests with your skills and minimize cleanup.

Bar/grill cart

Not every grill comes equipped with enough prep space on the side. If you have side dishes and drinks, use this handy bar and grill cart to make and serve them outside. The sides of the cart come equipped with hooks, the underneath has storage, and the top is a table. Plus, it serves as a gathering space near the grill to keep the cook company.

Nonstick grill mats

The last thing you want to do after hosting a barbeque is spend hour cleaning up the grill. Use these reusable nonstick grill mats that provide a smooth surface to prevent small pieces of food from falling into the grill. Don’t worry, you’ll still get appetizing grill marks on your food!

Grill baskets 

Grilled food tastes best when it’s fresh from the flames. These grill baskets will enable you to try new recipes since you can use foods that might otherwise be too messy or small for the grates to hold. Plus, you can serve food right from the grill basket on the table. Using the grill baskets to serve cuts down on cleanup and keeps the food warmer for longer, but remember to put a hot pad on the table first to avoid burn marks.

Entertainment extras

What’s the point of having an amazing outdoor space if you can’t have fun using it? Try these accessories to transform your patio or deck into an entertainment hub.

Portable projector

Outdoor movies are an unforgettable experience. This tiny-but-mighty HD portable projector comes complete with a 100-inch screen so everyone can gather around and watch without struggling to see it. You can use nearly any device to stream your film to the projector: a laptop with HDMI or USB, a Roku Stick, an Amazon Fire TV Stick, an iOS or Android device, hard discs, or a PlayStation or Xbox gaming system. With so many ways to watch, you can host a patio movie marathon to remember!

Rock speakers

These natural-looking Bluetooth rock speakers blend perfectly into any outdoor environment. If you place them strategically around the perimeter of your deck or patio, you’ll have a surround-sound setup so everyone can enjoy music no matter where they’re positioned. Don’t worry about putting the speakers away at the end of the night or before a storm since they’re waterproof.