http://www.outdoorfabrics.com Make good use of your patio space with these entertainment tips.

2. The first step in turning your backyard into a
relaxing and inviting space for entertaining is
to assess your current setup. Do you have a
deck or patio space that can be spruced up
with new outdoor furniture or ambient
lighting? Simple touches like these can
completely transform an existing area.
Don’t have a deck or patio in your yard? Take
a look at your property and identify the best
area for setting up a new entertainment area.
Factor in how you plan to use the space. For
example, if you’ll be having lots of outdoor
dinner parties, you may want to build a patio
close to the kitchen. Or you can choose to
build further away from the house and use
landscaping to create a lush and intimate
party environment.

3. Do you have trees in your yard
that need to be trimmed? Are
there any dead bushes or
flowers to remove? What about
patches of grass that could use
some TLC? A simple overhaul of
your current landscaping design
will make it easier to assess what
needs to be added or taken away
in order to increase your yard’s
visual appeal. Try surrounding a
patio space with dense trees for
privacy, or lining walkways with
flowers or other decorative
plants to liven things up.

4. Your new outdoor
entertainment space should
provide fun year-round. For the
heat of summer, invest in a
custom awning like those
offered by OutdoorFabrics.com.
The right awning will not only
shield your party from the
bright summer sun, but will also
keep your guests dry during any
surprise showers.

5. All-weather entertainment
systems will make a perfect
addition for your new outdoor
space. Look for compact
subwoofers or satellite speakers
that can be strategically hidden
throughout your yard so the music
follows guests wherever they are.
A sound system is a must for
parties, but movie buffs may want
to consider an outdoor television
or projector screen to host
screening nights for friends.

6. Ditch uncomfortable patio chairs
and outfit your new space with
versatile seating. Aim to mimic
the comfort of an indoor living
room, and look for cushioned
benches, chaise lounges, and
even all-weather couches. When
selecting new pieces, be sure to
find the right outdoor fabric,
such as stain-resistant,
waterproof, and fade-resistant
fabrics like those sold by
OutdoorFabrics.com. They offer
outdoor furniture fabrics in a
variety of colors and prints to
make any space look great.

7. If you love hosting dinner parties
in your home, use an outdoor grill
to enjoy al fresco dining in the
warm weather months.
Traditional charcoal grills work
just fine, but a built-in grill makes
a great addition for the right
space. You can also get extra
fancy and impress your guests
with a meat smoker, or even an
outdoor pizza oven!
Fire pits are another great way to
enhance your outdoor
entertainment space. Do-it-
yourself kits are available at home
improvement centers, or you can
keep things simple with a ready-
to-buy fire pit like a chiminea.

8. Expand your current living
space with the addition of
drapes or French doors. For
example, use a set of curtains
to connect an indoor living
room with an exterior patio.
Bridging the two spaces will
invite guests to wander
between, and create an
indoor-outdoor entertaining
area that your friends are
sure to love.

9. When the sun begins to set on
your afternoon gathering, use
outdoor lighting to extend the
party into nighttime. Lighting is a
great way to add flair to an
outdoor space, and there are
countless options:
• Try adding lights to
landscaping or walkways for a
warm glow that will also help
your guests walk safely from
place to place.
• Use lanterns or torches to
create an intimate atmosphere
for dinner parties.
• Solar lights are another
popular option for taking a
party from day to night.

10. Outdoor Fabrics offer
awnings, cushions, drapes,
and pillows that are meant to
withstand inclement weather.
They are purveyors of easy-
to-clean, stain-resistant
outdoor furniture fabrics that
keep your entertaining space
looking great year-round.
For more info, visit
www.outdoorfabrics.com or
call 1-800-640-3539.

11. Summary
Use these tips to transform your backyard into
an inviting entertainment space. Use lighting, a
quality sound system, lush plants, and
comfortable seating with outdoor fabrics to
create a quality entertainment area your friends
will love.