Prepare your patio for outdoor parties
The ideal place to celebrate warm weather is often in your own backyard — on your patio, deck or sunroom. Patio parties offer the best of easy living in a relaxed atmosphere, whether you are hosting a cocktail party, birthday party, tea, bridal or baby shower, or graduation. With more people enjoying outdoor entertaining, indoors and out are being brought together in unprecedented ways — making backyard parties more sophisticated than ever.
Today, it's common to extend the comfort and luxury of your home outside onto the deck or patio. Lavish barbecue grills and outdoor kitchen islands complete with refrigerators, wet bars and portable sinks allow elegant entertaining in your backyard oasis. But patio fixups need not break the bank. A little planning and creativity can go a long way toward making your patio a private paradise. The trick is to decorate an outside space with the same planning as a home interior.
First, think color. Cool warm- weather decorating colors include fresh, clean garden hues and gentle greens evolving toward soft blues, as well as warm neutrals contrasted with striking metallic hues. With this in mind, transform your stained or faded plastic patio furniture with a simple can of spray paint.
Krylon Fusion is a new spray paint especially for plastic that transforms ordinary plastic lawn furniture into tasteful and attractive home decor. Use it to unify outdoor living spaces by color-coordinating patio pots, hanging baskets, vinyl shutters and more. It adheres directly to plastic with no sanding or priming required. Available in 32 colors, including gentle neutrals and beautiful satin and metallic shimmer shades, Fusion lets party hosts put away the scrub brush and easily bring new life to old plastic.
Use versatile neutrals such as Satin Almond and Satin Khaki to coordinate with exterior siding or popular interior home decorator shades, or more colorful choices such as Honeydew, Spring Grass, Sunbeam, Fairytale Pink or Red Pepper to add charm, romance or a splash of color to outdoor living. You'll find that with just the push of a button, you can quickly create a more inviting space for outdoor entertaining.
Next, consider your floor plan. Flowing yet cozy seating encourages both mingling and intimate conversation. Patio furniture can be easily arranged — and rearranged — with conversation in mind. To define space and add drama to seating areas, consider temporarily bringing your favorite Oriental rugs outdoors, or purchasing colorful hook rugs that complement your decorating scheme. Use lush greenery or flowering plants overflowing from strategically placed planters to further shape seating areas exactly as you would indoors.
Once you know your seating plan, you can add elegance and comfort by accessorizing with cushions, occasional pillows and cloth napkins paired with disposable plates and tableware. For serving, be sure to pull out a few colorful china pieces and silver serving utensils. If you're going to spray the area for insects, do so before guests arrive and food is served. And remember to illuminate the night using simple candle centerpieces, luminaries, and white Christmas lights.
Add plenty of ice, cool drinks, music and friends and you're on your way to an afternoon or evening of opulent outdoor fun. For more home decorating ideas, visit the Krylon Web site at www.krylon.com.