Back in the day, a good outdoor entertaining set up was a BBQ and a kiddie pool, but times have changed a lot since then. While BBQs and kiddie pools most definitely still have their place, outdoor entertaining has become a lot more elaborate, with a whole realm of toys and gadgets. If you feel like you’re ready to take your outdoor entertaining to the next level, try incorporating some of the following into your backyard setup.
Heaters
Mobile outdoor heaters are making it so that it’s still worth having guests over for an outdoor event, even though it may be a little cooler outside. A prominent feature in outdoor areas across the hospitality sector, mobile heaters have become a fantastic way to get more use out of your outdoor entertainment areas at home. If your crowd are more the outdoorsy types, getting a nice fire pit put in might be a better option, so you can let your guests show off their wood chopping skills and have your heating provided the old fashioned way.
Lighting
While it’s no longer a new idea, motion-sensor lighting is starting to become a bigger feature in outdoor entertaining, allowing you to creatively light every part of your front or back yard. Mobile and flexible lighting systems give you a far greater scope for your entertaining, and significantly increase the size of the area you have to entertain in. Lighting can play a crucial role in having your place look amazing, so whether you get a gobo or just something to light your pathway, creative lighting is the way to go when it comes to outdoor entertainment.
Control
As the idea of home automation systems has begun to take hold, we’ve seen an integration of security and entertainment system elements, such as sound, lighting, heating, etc. You can even have your CCTV streaming via your laptop by the pool; this allows you to know when your friends arrive, ascertain who it is and buzz them in.
Projector
If you have an awesome outdoor entertaining area and at least one large flat surface at your place, you can hold your own outdoor video screenings with a LCD projector. Lightweight and affordable LCD projectors have made it easy for people to be able to extend their living rooms all the way to the back fence. Having the projector set up outside will also give you another TV option if people are already watching the plasma TV inside.
Retractable roof
Sometimes a dinner party is just too important to risk having it ruined by poor weather, so rather than have to move your plans inside, having a retractable roof can provide your event with cover, whether you end up needing it or not. No doubt inspired by the great sporting venues, this handy outdoor entertaining feature will take the worry out of any of your outdoor events.
Humans will always get together to socialise; we are social creatures, after all. However, the look of our gatherings has changed considerably over time, with some now embracing a far more sophisticated style of socialising and home entertainment. Your outdoor entertainment areas can often be some of the nicest parts of your property, so having a few extra special features and home appliances added will make your place the perfect year-round entertainment venue.
Beyond Barbecues — Advanced Outdoor Entertaining is a post from: Price Pirate
