Sundecks, shade sails, summer BBQs and mango mess; there’s nowhere quite like Queensland in Summer! And with the festive season now upon us, families are heading outside to make the most of the perfect weather and opportunity to entertain.
At Hallmark Homes, our floorplans are thoughtfully designed to seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living, perfect for the Queensland lifestyle. So, here are a few tips on how to prepare the ultimate alfresco entertaining experience for your family and friends this summer.
Create a cohesive theme when decorating your outdoor area to add to its uniqueness and visual appeal. Select something that suits both your home’s natural setting and the type of occasion you are hosting. For relaxed poolside entertaining, try a fun tropical-inspired concept with on-trend palm print cushions, brightly coloured tableware, and cocktail umbrellas. Or, pair it back to blend in with the outdoors by sticking to soft green and earthy tones. You can always integrate touches of gold (like glassware, napkins, or candles) to lift the sense of luxury.
Your choice of outdoor furniture should balance style with comfort and functionality. Invest in quality weather-resistant tables, chairs and lounges to ensure they are suitable for Queensland’s elements- heat, sun, rain and wind. Test them out, if possible, to ensure seating is supportive and comfortable enough for those long lazy lunches (and consider having a few chair pads or cushions on hand for guests). Whilst you always want to have an adequate amount of outdoor seating, avoid cluttering decks and patios so everyone can move around with ease.
Beautifully landscaped and maintained garden spaces make an irresistible first impression. Whether they feature natives, sub-tropical greenery, or vibrant florals, the natural setting will enhance your outdoor entertaining experience. Be sure to make the right choice of plant for its intended position- full sun, part sun or shaded. And keep them healthy with quality soil, plenty of water and fertiliser. Consider integrating stylish potted plants, and if you are short on space, hanging planters and vertical gardens are a great option.
Use mood and feature lighting to transform the ambiance of your outdoor entertaining space. Once the dazzling Christmas tree lights have been retired for the season, try introducing some soft string or fairy lights, flickering candles and elegant lanterns. As day turns into night, these will enhance the area, encouraging guests to stay on. Plus, dimmer lights will be far less likely to attract pesky insects than your home’s bright integrated LEDs or fluorescents. A choice of beautifully fragranced Citronella candles are available to help create fresh, bug-free spaces.
Creating an all-weather alfresco space means that your entertaining plans can always go ahead, regardless of what Queensland’s climate has in store. Fully covered decks and terraces are perfect and able to be installed on most budgets, but there are plenty of other options to enhance your outdoor lifestyle. From integrated, marine-grade cantilever umbrellas, to retractable sunshades and louvers, all provide protection from the elements. These will be especially important if your outdoor area faces west and is exposed to the hot afternoon sun (even though this aspect offers the most breathtaking sunsets)! Ceiling fans or cooling towers will also increase the airflow and comfort of your space on hot days.
Let’s face it, entertaining is all about the food! While fully equipped outdoor kitchens are a great home addition, not everyone has the space or budget to accommodate them. Queenslanders love their portable Webber and gas BBQs. Just be sure to position them carefully (taking into account wind direction and ventilation) so as not to smoke out your guests! Other popular items including stone pizza ovens and firepits can really elevate the family feast. Keep chilled drinks handy with a stylish bar cart or ice-filled coolers; and don’t forget the unbreakable glassware, especially when kids are around!
If you are a passionate entertainer and interested in how to further enhance your outdoor lifestyle, please take the time to explore our three home design collections, Luma, Nest, and Eden. Or, visit a Hallmark Homes display centre to discuss your home-building goals with an experienced consultant.
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