I received a call the other day from a neighbor of mine who was in a panic.  Having a three month old baby, I thought she needed motherly advice.  As it turns out, the problem was much worse.  Her hubby had invited the family for a weekend barbeque….a mere 3 days away.

I should tell you that my neighbor and I share a fence, and looking out my window it wasn’t hard to understand her dilemma.  The patio was there, along with a plastic table, 4 chairs, a barbeque, two side tables, and 2 big bags of dirt.

Not exactly what I would call entertainment-ready. I know some of you are already thinking, “does Ginger live near me?  Does she see my patio or deck?” No, I don’t, but I do feel your pain.

So if you’re in a BBQ mood, here are 5 easy ways to transform your deck or patio so you can be outdoor entertainment ready:

  1. Clean – I mean, really clean….remove all furniture before you start. Sweep and power wash the deck.  Restain the deck if it needs it.  Sweep, and power wash the patio, removing all debris, and/or weeds around an in the patio (in the cracks). Next, clean your grill…yes, all of it, even the lava rocks.  When your mother-in-law says she’s checking the hamburgers, don’t believe it for a second.
  2. Invest in an outdoor carpet – They are available at all Target, Home Depot and Lowe’s stores.  The carpets come in an array of designs, are under $100 depending on the size, and are easy to clean. This one item really does wonders for an old, cracked patio or old weather worn deck by framing the space.
  3. Patio Furniture – Here’s where you can really get inventive! First, wash the furniture.  Already, the furniture looks better. Inspect the chairs…is your set the ‘used to be white’ PVC plastic?  If so, you have a few choices, depending on your budget.  You can replace the chairs with new ones relatively easy..again, Target, Walmart, Lowe’s and Home Depot have a great selection.  You can also use your dining room chairs, and cover them with fabric (just for the day). Use a colorful table cloth. Get inventive. I’ve also asked guests to ‘byoc’ (bring your own chair..this is a real ice breaker when you have guests that don’t know one another).
  4. Flowers/Plants – Shop your house…I know there’s a silk ficus plant somewhere just waiting to be brought outside.  Or, while you’re at the home improvement center, choose a few sun-loving plants, like geraniums or petunias.  If you have more shade, choose from a variety of impatiens, which come in may colors.  Clay pots are inexpensive and always look great!  Buy starter plants like basil, rosemary, or oregano and make a nice table arrangement.
  5. Use the good Chinet – Paper plates, the upscale kind. Or melamine plastic plates, along with colorful napkins and cutlery. This insures that you will have a great time, enjoy the food and the guests, and clean up will be a snap!

Another added benefit is that now you will want to spend more time outdoors!

Here’s to Brilliant BBQs!

All best wishes,

Ginger