outdoor kitchen Archives - Capehart Landscape and Design

Summer is in full swing, and with the warmer temps and longer daylight hours, it’s hard not to get into the festive party spirit! Have you already called on Capehart to design your outdoor kitchen and lighting? We may be a bit biased, but we think those outdoor living areas are the perfect spot for summer entertaining! Below are a few simple tips for hosting your perfect summertime bash—al fresco!

Crunch the Numbers

This may seem like a no-brainer, but keep track of how many people you invite, and make sure you have plenty of…well, everything for them. It wouldn’t do to run out of food halfway through the buffet line. Nor would it be terribly comfortable for anyone if ¾ of your guests have to eat standing up because you didn’t drag out enough chairs.

Stick with Classic Recipes

Don’t stress out when it comes to cooking. Pick a handful of easy recipes that can be prepped in advance—more time to enjoy the company of your guests! And there’s really no need to reinvent the wheel: corn on the cob, hamburgers, and hotdogs are always a hit. Maybe break out some fancy condiments and sides to give the meal a twist of your very own.

Keep the Drinks Coming

This is the time to bust out those summery, fruity punch cocktails! Make up a big batch beforehand and make the cups readily available to allow guests to come back for more whenever they’re ready. For some extra fun, cut up some fresh watermelon, then turn the husk into a punch keg!

Prepare for Pests

Hot, sticky Indiana summers unfortunately bring along the ubiquitous mosquitoes. Keep them at bay by first ridding the area of any standing water. A few days before your shindig, empty out any flower pots, rain gutters, or kiddie pools to remove their breeding grounds. On the day of, set up a table full of bug wipes for your guests to use. You may even want to plug in a couple fans to blow the suckers right out of the yard.

Don’t Forget the Music

Set the mood with a bumping summer playlist that’s long enough to last the duration of your party (or several hours, at least). Stick to classic, upbeat crowd-pleasers to put everyone in a good mood. Spread 3 or 4 speakers around the party area—more speakers means you don’t have to turn the volume up so high and run the risk of blasting out your guests’ eardrums.

Provide Entertainment

Did you invite families with kids? Have plenty of activities to keep them entertained and out of the grown-ups’ way. Slip ’n’ slides are great for this. And classic yard games like cornhole, lawn darts, and horseshoes tend to be a hit with kids and adults, alike.

Don’t Forget Dessert

S’mores are always a good choice—especially if a bonfire features in your party plans. Another idea we love is an ice cream sundae bar! The perfect and most delicious way to cool off on a sweltering summer evening.

Keep Cool and Party On

Did we mention those hot, sticky Indiana summers…? Consider setting up cooling stations around your patio and yard—cheap paper or plastic handheld fans work wonders. Or roll up some washcloths and throw them in an icy, water-filled cooler. Your guests will thank you, we promise.

Happy barbecuing!

Summer is almost upon us! With graduation celebrations, July 4th, and Labor Day coming up, we’re looking forward to pool parties, barbeques, and all sorts of fun in the sun.

Nothing turns a yard or patio into a truly delightful living space better than the addition of an outdoor kitchen—it’s one of our most requested summer projects! And we’re not just talking about cobbling a patch of ground for the grill, either (though, we can do that, too). Have you ever considered how much more enjoyable your summer life would be with a fully loaded, alfresco canteen? Here are just a few advantages of adding an outdoor kitchen to your home:

Expand Your Living Space

In the warmer weather months, our backyards tend to become an extension of our living areas. Who wants to be cooped up inside, when the sun is shining and the birds are chirping and all the flowers are in bloom? This doesn’t just have to be confined to lounging around, either. Relocate your kitchen outside, and you can soak up every single ounce of nature the day has to offer. Prep, cook, and eat the food on the patio…then sit back and relax with a cool beverage while you watch the sun set. The only time you’ll need to come inside is bedtime. And if you have a hammock, well…maybe not even then!

Great for Entertaining

Have you ever noticed how dinner guests always pack themselves into the kitchen while you’re trying to prepare the food? It can be tiresome on the best of days, but in the midst of a summer heatwave, it’s positively stifling! Bring the kitchen into the great wide open, and you have plenty of room to let your guests spread out and socialize—with plenty of breathing room for everyone.

Increase Property Value

An outdoor living space and kitchen is an investment, but one that will pay off in spades. It looks great, is relatively low maintenance, and essentially adds an entire room onto your house! Whether you intend to put your home on the market or stay put for years to come, this popular renovation is a surefire way to increase the value and appeal of your home.

Is your outdoor home ready for the summer? At Capehart Landscape & Design, we have the experience and skills needed to transform your outdoor dreams into a reality. Browse through our past projects to see for yourself what we can do. Then give us a call to get started!