About Home: Prepping Outdoor Spaces for Summer Entertaining

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Home From Christina Donnelly, your About Home Editor It's finally warm enough to spend more than 4 minutes outside ... without a giant coat. You know what that means: it's al fresco dining and entertaining season! Get ready for three months of dining outdoors every night, pool parties and consuming more barbecue than you thought was humanly possible. We've got easy, affordable ways to prepare your backyard for an awesome summer of outdoor entertaining, so grab your favorite Hawaiian shirt and get grilling! Outdoor Dining & Entertaining There are few things better than sitting on your deck and eating a giant burger—or black bean burger—and sipping a margarita with your family and friends. Whether you're hosting an outdoor party, shopping for cute, durable outdoor tableware or prepping your backyard for a get-together, we've got smart ways to make entertaining al fresco a total breeze. Stylish Drinkware for the Patio Table The Top 10 Gas Grills Under $250 How to Keep Bugs Away During Outdoor Parties Search Related Topics:  outdoor parties  bbq and grilling recipes  party themes Outdoor Decorating & Accessories During the spring and summer, your outdoor space becomes a true extension of your home. Unless, of course, you're lucky enough to live in a warm climate and you're always enjoying your outdoor spaces! So, why not make your deck, patio or pool look just as stylish and put-together as your interiors? Hanging chairs can give your space a cool, mid-century vibe, pretty light fixtures can create a dramatic focal point and finishing touches—like DIY throw pillows—make the great outdoors just as comfy and cozy as your living room. How to Create a Stylish Outdoor Space Decorating with Outdoor Lights Buying a Patio Umbrella? Read This! Landscaping & Yard Features Warmer weather provides the opportunity to make your neighbors even more jealous of your awesomely designed, perfectly groomed backyard. And luckily, creating and maintaining a beautiful outdoor space isn't as difficult as they—or you!—may think. Planting a few easy-to-grow plants, adding simple features like a DIY garden bench or water fountain and building a totally impressive, DIY deck can turn your outdoor space into the best backyard on the block. Identifying Poison Ivy in the Yard How to Landscape Around Your Pool Are You Overwatering Your Lawn? Search Related Topics:  outdoor patio furniture  dining outdoors  patio and deck accessories Pool Maintenance & Care During the summer, I basically live in my in-laws pool—and if you're lucky enough to have your own pool, I bet you do, too! It's important to keep your pool in tip-top shape by properly cleaning it and checking the water quality because—duh—there's nothing worse than diving headfirst into pool sludge. When you don't have to worry about gross pool scum, you can consider the more important things, like choosing the best pool toys or deciding which swimsuit you're going to wear. How to Open the Pool for Summer The Great Debate: In-Ground Versus Above-Ground Pools Cleaning Your Pool Filter Related Searches Outdoor Patio Ideas Outdoor Slate Tile Outdoor Pavers Concrete Patio Steps Garden Patio Designs Featured Articles An Amazing Laundry Room Update for Under $200 Easy DIY Floral Arrangements for Summer How to Attract Bluebirds to Your Backyard Finding the Right Apartment for You 10 Terrific Tomato Growing Tips Follow About Home on Pinterest!   More from About.com Sign-up for Shareables! An every-morning rundown of the day in history, headlines and trends produced by your pals at About.com. Please sign up it's free (of course), we think you will like it! Want More From About.com Check out our social page tailored to your interest!   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Home newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. If you would like to unsubscribe from all newsletters sent from About.com, please send an email to optout@about.com with "Unsubscribe" as the subject line. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2014 About.com   Advertisement