7 Tips to Get Your Home Ready for Summer Hosting

By:

When summer hits, you know it instantly. Suddenly, weekends are filled with backyard dinners, and neighbors stopping by for “just a minute” turns into two hours on the patio. If you love to entertain this season, now is the perfect time to get your home ready for summer hosting. Even just a few thoughtful updates can make your exterior feel guest-ready without a complete overhaul.

Here are just 7 tips to prep your home for a summer full of outdoor fun.

1. Start With an Exterior Refresh

Before you add anything new, start by cleaning up what’s already there.

Winter and spring can be harsh on your outdoor spaces. Between pollen, dirt, leaves, and other general buildup, your once-beautiful exterior can be left feeling tired. A simple clean and refresh can make your outdoor space feel much more inviting.

To start getting ready for summer, focus on a few tasks like:

  • Washing siding and windows
  • Sweeping patios and walkways
  • Cleaning outdoor furniture
  • Refreshing mulch and landscaping beds
  • Power washing hardscaping surfaces

This step alone can make a difference. You may realize your patio doesn’t actually need a full replacement, it just needs to be brought back to life after surviving winter.

Transitional home with nice porch ready for summer hosting, designed by b&b.

2. Create Comfortable Seating Areas

The best hosting spaces are the ones that encourage you to stay for a while. 

Your outdoor seating doesn’t need to be elaborate, but it does need to be comfortable. Think about how guests naturally gather and arrange furniture to support conversation, rather than just filling space. 

Consider natural gathering spaces such as group chairs around a fire pit, or smaller conversation zones with side tables for drinks and plates. For added comfort, you can add layered outdoor cushions and pillows wherever they fit. 

With the right layout, even smaller spaces can still feel welcoming!

3. Make a Statement With Outdoor Lighting

Lighting may not be at the top of your list when prepping your home for summer hosting, but we think it should be! Good lighting extends the usability of your outdoor space, creating a more inviting atmosphere after sunset. And really, what doesn’t look better with warm lighting?

Layer different types of lighting for the best effect, such as:

  • String lights for ambiance
  • Path lights for safety
  • Wall sconces near entries
  • Accent lighting around landscaping or patios

Remember, you want soft, welcoming light. Not gas station parking lot at 3am light. If you want some recommendations, Visual Comfort has some great options that fit any home style!

4. Refresh Your Front Entry 

The summer vibe starts before guests even reach the backyard. 

Your front entry sets the tone for the entire experience, so small updates here can go a long way. Details like fresh planters or a seasonal wreath can instantly get your home ready for summer. 

Consider updating your doormat, repainting your front door, and refreshing your house numbers as well. Though these little things seem small, they make your entire exterior feel cohesive and polished. 

A virtual rendering of a home backyard by brick&batten.

5. Make Your Landscaping Feel Lush

Note, the key word here is “lush,” not “overgrown.” There’s a fine line between beautifully natural and “the landscape is winning.” 

Summer landscaping should feel healthy and layered without becoming chaotic. Trim overgrown shrubs, edge planting beds, and fill in any sparse areas as needed. Adding some seasonal flowers or ornamental grasses can also add some movement and color to the yard without a complete redesign. 

You want your landscaping to complement the space, not swallow it. 

Ranch home with tiled patio.

6. Remember Shade

If you want people to enjoy your outdoor space during sunny afternoons, you need shade. You can pick from a variety of sources for shade, including:

These elements not only improve comfort, but also make your spaces fully usable all day long. After all, there’s nothing worse than slowly melting into a patio chair at 2pm. 

7. Don’t Forget Outdoor Meals

You don’t need anything formal for outdoor dining, but you do need it to be thoughtful! A sturdy table, comfy seating, and good lighting are usually enough to create a solid space for people to gather around and dine. If space is limited, even a smaller bistro setup can work well.

To get your home ready for summer hosting, think about how food and beverages will move through the space. Do you have enough surface area? Are guests constantly moving through tight areas?

You don’t need a full outdoor kitchen and built-in sound system to create a great atmosphere. Unless you want them, of course!

Ranch home with fire pit virtually created by brick&batten.

Final Thoughts: Get Your Home Ready for Summer Fun

You don’t need a massive renovation to get your home ready for summer hosting. A few thoughtful updates and comfortable gathering spaces, and your exterior will feel brand new. 

Ready to reimagine your exterior for summer? If you’re thinking about larger exterior updates before hosting season is in full swing, we’re here to help. Partner with us today, and we’ll guide you through the process to design the exterior of your dreams. 

Author

Alexis Bishop is a professional writer and journalist based in East Tennessee. As a writer for over a decade, she has created content on a wide variety of topics ranging from tech to healthcare for small businesses. As a journalist, she primarily follows the latest music and entertainment trends and has written for publications like WUOT, K FUSE, and Teen Vogue.  Outside of writing, Alexis has worked as a secondary science teacher and a professional development consultant in higher education. She is also a homeowner passionate about home design and regularly finds herself DIYing throughout her house on the weekends. 

Schedule a Complimentary Call