DESIGN

If you’re like me, when the weather gets nice, you gaze out your back window and think “man, I wish I spent more time outside” at least three times a week.

If you’re also determined to finally make it happen this summer, read on for four hot tips on making backyard dining a piece of cake.

Let’s live our Emma (1996) / Sideways / To Catch A Thief / Sound of Music fantasies this summer.

One big obstacle that might be keeping you from enjoying the great outdoors is furniture, and more specifically, the fact that furniture gets dirty sitting outside. Certain types of outdoor furniture are much easier to clean than others, which can save you a lot of time and effort when spring rolls around and your chairs have accumulated a winter’s worth of dirt.

Metal and plastic furniture are the easiest to clean, since they can simply be sprayed down with the hose. If your backyard gets dirty quickly even with regular maintenance, you should consider metal or plastic since you might have to clean it more than a couple times per year. Metal is much sturdier and longer lasting than plastic, but does need to be dried if it gets wet to avoid rust.

Wood and wicker outdoor furniture are both stunning, but are harder to clean. You should clean wood and wicker with a damp cloth and be careful to not fully saturate it. Dirt built up in wicker can be cleaned with a very soft toothbrush. Certain types of wood and wicker furniture also should be periodically sealed.

If you’re going to purchase outdoor furniture that comes with cushions, I highly recommend making sure they’re removable and designating a spot to store them. Even outdoor fabric gets grimy pretty quickly. It’s easier to store your cushions and bring them out when you need them than it is to regularly clean them, especially in months when it rains frequently and unpredictably.

Having a set of lightweight, durable, outdoor-friendly dinnerware, glassware, and utensils will make it much easier to pop outside for a meal when it’s nice outside. Unbreakable plates, cups, and utensils made from materials like melamine or acrylic are great for this purpose. Keep a stash of outdoor-friendly napkins, wet wipes, and paper towels handy for quick cleanups. You can also use an unbreakable serving tray to limit your number of trips back to the kitchen.

Did you know they make mini-grills? I personally love to cook but large, complicated grills intimidate me. If you’re interested in flippin’ a few burgers but are hesitant to drop hundreds or thousands of dollars on a huge outdoor appliance, a mini-grill might be a good thing to add to your Memorial Day Sale list.

Last but not least, don’t let bugs keep you from your backyard dining dreams. Citronella candles and torches are both low commitment preventative measures that won’t be harmful to people or pets.

Backyard dining doesn't have to be complicated. If you set yourself up for success and make getting outside as easy as possible, you’ll be soaking up the vitamin D and fresh air in no time.