Is your Outdoor Space ready for Summer?

Now's the time to get crackin'!

I can see it now. The temperature is about 84 degrees, the sun is out, and there are scattered fluffy white clouds. I’m sitting in my antique, refinished rocking chair with a cup of lemonade made straight from the lemons growing a few feet from my porch. Half a dozen friends are scattered about my yard picking fresh produce, swimming in the pool, playing badminton, and doing whatever else their hearts desire. As evening falls, the fire pit is stoked into flames and the long strand of Edison bulbs compensate for places the fire light cannot reach.

Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Well, that’s because it is. In reality, I’m standing on a sorry-excuse-for-a-porch looking out at an overgrown back lawn with nothing but a concrete storm shelter to catch the eye. The lack of privacy fences leaves little to our neighbors’ imaginations and even less to our idea of an oasis.

But fear not! There is still time to make my own private island of a backyard before summer is here. Below are the top five things I’m aiming for in my summer staycation destination, as well as some links to a variety of options.

Hannah’s top five things necessary for prime outdoor summer vibes:

1. Adequate lighting

a. Edison bulbs

b. Lanterns

c. Candles

2. Potted plants (ones that keep bugs away!)

a. Marigolds

b. Mint

c. Lavender

d. Citronella grass

3. Plenty of seating options

a. Stackable chairs