Hosting For Summer
Hosting for summer begins in the spring. Don’t save all your prepping for summer when kids are getting out of school and you just want to be outside. If motivation is a struggle for you, put a party on the calendar so you have a concrete goal to work towards. In early spring, Teal and Wendy begin preparing for summer by power washing their decks and planting pots with bright flowers. Planting the pots early allows the plants time to reach full bloom by June.
Flowers might not be your thing or match your lifestyle, Wendy suggests visiting your local plant shop to grab some sturdy succulents for pots/planters that need a refresh. Next step would be dusting off your furniture and adding some lighting. LED lights provide visibility for safe walking and a great ambiance. Checkout this hanging lamp from West Elm and this alternative from Rejuvenation.
Outdoor Furniture - If you don’t need new outdoor furniture but want an update, a paint touch up or purging unnecessary pieces could be the refresh you need. That old side table or pillow that’s had its run can be donated and replaced with something durable and fresh. Teal loves CB2 and West Elm for outdoor pillows (more recommendations at the end). To make your pillows last longer, you might consider storing them overnight if nasty weather is on the way, don’t leave them exposed to all weather, fluff n buff them and put in place when guests arrive.
If you are ready for new furniture, this is a great opportunity to invest in durable quality pieces that will last and save you money in the long run. We recommend you start searching for furniture in May, if you stumble upon something you absolutely love, bite the bullet. Outdoor furniture can take a long time to arrive, allow time for ordering, delivery, lead times, etc. before you set the date for your party!
Teal recently upgraded her Costco sectional (which lasted a decade) to pieces that felt more sophisticated. Her criteria were upholstered seats, easy-to-clean weatherproof bases, and removable cushions for easy storage. She settled on these dining chairs and this sofa from West Elm.
Loll Designs - Outdoor Chairs
Another option is Loll Designs. Their pieces are a no brainer for Teal & Wendy. They’re made from recycled plastics like milk jug containers and shampoo bottles, and are all-weather which means you can leave them out all year through the sun, rain and snow. After a springtime power wash, they look good as new. The durability is worth the price! Click here to check out their outdoor chair selection.
Pro Tip - For pieces that are not all weather, purchase covers to protect your furniture to ensure its longevity (remember, the sun can be as damaging as water). Teal bought these covers from Amazon for her dining table and saved a ton of money. They may not fit the table perfectly like the ones sold with the set, but they serve the purpose and helped her wallet. Click here to view Teal’s furniture covers.
Umbrellas - One surefire way to keep your guests, booze/drinks, and food chill is umbrellas. It’s also another opportunity to add character. We suggest going for a black and white striped umbrella to add pattern and interest. Or if stripes aren’t your thing, a bright color. Keep in mind that color will hide weather wear and tear better than white umbrellas. Click here to check out this striped umbrella from Crate & Barrel.
Wendy’s deck featuring a Crate & Barrel umbrella, Loll Designs chairs, and this adorable CB2 white table. The table is no longer available but here is an alternative from Blu Dot, and here is another from Terra!
Decor - Now that your outdoor space has the infrastructure, let’s focus on adding character! Summer is the time to play with color in your decor. What we love about outdoor spaces is they don’t need to match your indoor colors, theme, or style. Teal’s outdoor colors have a totally different vibe from her interior spaces. Take chances outside; go for colors or a style you don’t live with year round.
Since so much of your outdoor space is assumedly green, try bringing in a bright blue, orange, yellow or almost fluorescent pink. Your flower pots might have inspiration colors to play off of. Napkins are a good place to start because they’re low investment and easy to store. Teal loves these darling Lateral Objects napkins for a fun pop!
Wendy’s Summer Table Setting
Wendy’s interior plays with color year round, so she tends to use the same napkins outdoor as she does indoor. However she stacks them on the table differently when hosting in the summer. Instead of doing place settings, she will usually stack the plates, stack the napkins, and stack the cups, etc. and let the gathering be more casual. This gives her an opportunity to mix colors and have more fun with the decor when it’s all stacked together in a grouping.
To curate a light and airy vibe for summer, pull those heavy blankets and throws from the sofa and store them for winter. Aim for a more minimalist approach by clearing away clutter off countertops and tables. Clearing away the clutter makes room for cheery flowers. Trader Joes is a great option for budget friendly flowers. Or even better can’t we support our local farmer? Take a Sunday stroll through your local farmer’s market and checkout the seasonal blooms!
Below are some of our favorite pieces for summer!
These Sunbrella® outdoor pillows are great for a pop of color. Shop them here!
These Crow Canyon serveware are so fun and playful, Wendy loves to mix and match colors. Shop them here!
There is no AC in Wendy’s cabin, so she has a couple different styles of this stylish Vornado fan throughout the home for guests. They also make great white noise for sleeping babies! Her favorite color is the vintage green! Shop the fan here.
How fun is this striped Jungalow pot on the mantel? There are tons of colors if stripes aren’t your thing. Shop them here!
Happy Summer!
Affiliate Disclosure: Teal and Wendy hand pick every product they recommend. Some product links are affiliate and may provide a small kickback to T&S at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate they earn from qualifying purchases.