Must-Haves For Outdoor Entertaining Areas

Friends, we are thisclose to finishing up our outdoor entertaining/fire pit area, and I am sooo excited!! I can't wait to share it with you, and you should be excited too, because not only will you get to see the reveal, there just might be giveaway included too! (Hint, Hint)

I thought while we were finishing up the last of the details, I would create a list of must-haves to make your outdoor entertaining area awesome. This is just my list, I would love to know what is on your must-have list for an outdoor entertaining area, let me know in the comments! 

(This post may contain affiliate links, you can see my full disclosure here.)

First things first, we always have to have music! This Amazon Tap is on my wishlist, if I have my way, it will be on my doorstep soon. I love it's compact size, and you can protect it with a colorful sling protector and add some fun color at the same time!!

Tables for drinks and snacks, and comfortable seating are definitely must-haves. Tables are on constant rotation around our place, we have DIY'd some in the past, we have temporarily moved indoor tables outdoors, we even get super classy once in awhile and just use our coolers as tables.  No need to get hung up on everything being perfectly coordinated, as long as you have a flat spot to put a drink, that's all you need!

I purchased these stackable sling chairs (in green) from Target a couple of years ago, and I really like them a lot. They comfortable for long nights sitting outside chatting, and when you are not using them, they are easy to stack and move out of the way. 

While it may not necessarily be a must-have, fire pits are a super easy way to add some ambiance to your outdoor space, and it helps to extend your outdoor entertaining season by providing warmth on chilly nights. There is an endless variety of styles of fire pits; you can do a simple tabletop version if you are limited on space, there are free-standing fire pits that are easy on the budget, you can DIY one from rocks or stacking bricks, you can even have really cool metal ones custom made.

  

And, if you are going to have a fire pit, you are going to need something to light it with. I just found these HomeRight ElectroLight fire starters, and they look like a definite must-have! Not only for fire pits, but also for grilling too; mine is patiently sitting in it's box, waiting for the fire pit to be finished so I can test it out.

Next up are the finishing touches. No outdoor space is complete without flowers and plants, and bonus points for those plants that also repel mosquitos. Lemon Verbena is the one I plant to help with the mosquitos and I just love the smell of it too! Lemongrass is also a great option as well, and both look great in colorful flower pots around your entertaining area. Using a variety of flowers and DIYing coordinating flower pots is a great way to add color without spending a lot of money. And you change up the colors from year to year to keep your space fun and new!

Lighting is another finishing touch that can really bring an entire space together. Candles and lanterns can add a soft glow and are easy to move from place to place. Another option, that I just love, is golden glow of outdoor string lights. They provide plenty of light, without going overboard, and they set such an inviting mood.

Just seeing all of this makes me so excited to get our outdoor entertaining space all finished up!! I can't wait to sit outside around the fire and just enjoy the new outdoor space. Now, all I need is the temperature in the evenings to not be 90 degrees, and I will be all set!

Planning an outdoor entertaining area of your own? Be sure to save this must-have list to make your space awesome!