Throwing a backyard BBQ gives you the chance to spend some quality time with friends and family. To throw the best BBQ, you need to take some time to prepare your yard and make plans for the food and any events. The more planning you put in, the better your party will be.
Create a Cooking Station
The heart of any BBQ is of course the food, so you want to put a lot of effort into setting up where you’re cooking. At a BBQ, you want to still be involved with your guests while you’re cooking. An outdoor grill is a great way for you to mingle and cook. You should also have stations set up for drinks and snacks for people to munch on while they wait for the main dish. Of course, you can also take things up a notch by installing an outdoor kitchen. This gives you all the amenities you need to prepare and cook a meal while you’re outside.
Provide Space for Everyone
At your BBQ, you want to make sure everyone is comfortable. You need to provide enough space for everyone invited. There should be tables and chairs available for when people eat. You also want to have some seating spread out around your yard. This makes it easier for people to wander around and spread out. Having a variety of seating options is good. You can have some benches, comfy chairs, ottomans, and more.
Have Your Patio Covered
Having a patio is already a great first step. It creates a designated place for your guests to be and it acts as an extension of your indoor space. To take things further, you should have a cover for your patio. A cover protects from inclement weather and provides shade from the sun. You can get a temporary cover for your patio such as sun sails or a retractable awning. You can also install a more permanent patio cover. A louvered cover is a great option. This is a mechanized cover made up of slats that can open or close depending on your current needs.
Put Up Lighting
The best kinds of parties are those that extend into the evening. However, you have to plan for this to make it enjoyable for your guests. Putting up lighting makes it easy to transition to nighttime. You have a lot of options for lighting you can put up. String lights are a fun option to have around your patio. They provide plenty of light and a lovely ambiance. If you have any paths or walkways in your backyard, small garden lights that illuminate the ground are a nice touch. You should also have lights on any outdoor stairs you have so you don’t have any accidents. Lighting can also be used to accent your backyard. Spotlights around trees or shrubs can highlight the features of your yard.
Set Up Some Yard Games
You’ve provided food and you’ve provided a relaxing environment. Now, you need to provide some entertainment. Setting up yard games gives your guests something to do while they wait for food or after they’ve finished eating. Yard games are great for small children, but they’re also just as fun for adults. Examples of fun yard games include cornhole, spike ball, and giant tic tac toe.
There’s a lot you can do to create the perfect backyard BBQ. Setting the mood with the right decor and environment and providing both food and entertainment make the perfect party. Plan ahead for your next party.
Installing a cover for your patio can make it easier to enjoy your backyard in all kinds of weather. Click here to see what options are available at VW Fence.