Parties, Pilates, and Campfires, Oh My: 3 Ways to Use Your Deck This Summer

You wake up, peek through your eyelids, and catch sight of a few rays of light. You quickly jump up, rush to the window, push it open, and are flooded with the fresh scent of summer. You hear birds chirping and your heart catches in your chest-your favorite season is finally here.

With summer right around the corner, now is the perfect time to plan for upcoming outdoor activities and events. Grab your bathing suit, some suntan lotion, and head to your deck so you can lounge away the day and plan three different ways you can use your outdoor space this summer season.

1. Host a Party

Summer provides the perfect opportunity to gather your friends, neighbors, and family together to celebrate the warmest season of the year. Follow these tips to host one of the most memorable outdoor parties on your deck.

Keep Stress Levels Low and Plan in Advance

Don’t wait until the last minute to start planning your party. Make several lists (guest list, shopping list, and to-do list), invite friends to get involved, and split up responsibilities to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Wow Guests with Creative Décor

To some guests, décor is as important as what’s on the dinner menu. Set the mood with the following backyard accessories:

  • Lanterns
  • String lights
  • Tiki torches
  • Plants and flowers

You can also add a little personality with artwork. Buy a few canvases and some paint at the craft store and invite your kids to let their creative juices flow onto a blank canvas.

Satisfy Taste Buds with Delicious Grub

It’s not a party without food. What’s on the menu? Consider the following:

  • Steaks
  • Tacos
  • Fish
  • Grilled pizza

Plan the menu well in advance so you can stock up on all the right ingredients before it’s time to party.

Quench Thirst with Unforgettable Drinks

If there’s one thing to splurge on, it’s drinks. Load your fridge with all sorts of beverages, including the following:

  • Soda
  • Juice
  • Alcohol

Keep your guests happy and the mood light with a Moscow Mule. This cocktail includes:

  • Ginger beer
  • Vodka
  • Lime

First, mix together two parts ginger beer with one part vodka. Add lime to taste.

Set the Mood with Music

Prevent awkward silences with music that will please the entire crowd. Create a playlist with the following songs:

  • “I Started a Joke” by the Bee Gees
  • “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye” by Roberta Flack
  • “Born Too Late” by Dent May
  • “Paris 1919” by John Cale
  • “You Do Something to Me” by Leo Reisman & His Orchestra

If you want music to dance along to at your party, browse through dance playlists on iTunes or Spotify so you can keep your guests entertained at your outdoor deck party.

2. Get in Shape

Summer is bathing suit season. Use your deck as an outdoor gym and stay in shape with a combination of the following exercises:

  • Yoga
  • Pilates
  • Barre
  • Zumba

If you don’t want to do exercises on your deck surface, invest in a yoga mat to avoid splinters.

3. Camp Out

If the great outdoors are calling your name, you can heed its call in the comfort of your own backyard. Use these tips to transform your deck into the perfect outdoor campground.

Create a Campout Atmosphere

First, clean your deck so you don’t have to worry about loose nails, loose floorboards, broken lights, or spider webs during your camping extravaganza. Once you’ve swept, mopped, and dusted, gather the following items:

  • Pillows
  • Blankets
  • Sleeping bags
  • Fire pit (small grill)

Set up the bedding away from the fire to ensure your family stays safe during your campout.

Create a Campout Menu

Excite your kids with a menu full of campout essentials, including the following:

  • Hotdogs, buns, and condiments (mix it up with onions, barbeque sauce, jalapenos, and banana peppers) Corn on the cob (don’t forget the butter, salt, or pepper)
  • Tin foil dinners (stay full on meat, potatoes, onions, peppers, and any other vegetables)
  • S’mores (it’s not a campout without plenty of marshmallows, chocolate, and graham crackers)

You can always add an extra layer of sweet delight to s’mores with a dab of caramel or peanut butter.

Create a Campout Game Plan

When it comes time to campout on the deck with your kids, throw away any notion of bedtime. Instead, stay up late and stay entertained with one-or all-of the following activities:

  • Star gazing
  • Charades
  • Singing
  • Storytelling

Take time to create a campout game plan so you can create fun and lasting memories for your entire family.

Whether you want to host a party, get in shape, or camp out, your deck offers the perfect outdoor space for you to stay entertained all summer long. Use these tips to amp up your summer entertainment. If you want to give your deck a makeover before summer arrives, contact your local deck contractors today.

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