Pitch up a winning terrace
The 2018 World Cup is nearly here so now’s the time to get your patio and lawn ready to host some football party action. Here’s how to be a winner...
With the first matches kicking off in a little over a week, World Cup fever is about to take hold of the nation. So why not make the 2018 competition special with a party in your garden?
If the weather’s nice, it’s the perfect place to cheer on your team and play a little footie with your friends and family.
And with the time difference between Ireland and Russia, the latest kick-offs are at 7pm – perfect for a balmy evening’s entertainment.
All you need to do is create an outdoor lounge area and you’ll be all set.
STEP 1: THE LAWN
Before or after the match there are sure to be a few guests who want a kickabout themselves.
Make sure your lawn is ready for action by cutting the grass and setting up makeshift goalposts at either end.
If the weather has been dry recently, give your lawn a watering the day before to ensure it looks green and healthy. You can also use Miracle-gro Patch Magic grass seed to repair any bald spots.
STEP 2: THE PATIO
If you’re hosting friends in the garden, you want your patio in tip-top condition.
Make it look great by removing any rogue weeds and giving the slabs a jet wash. Jet washes can be hired to blast away residual dirt and grime if you don’t have one of your own.
Alternatively, if your patio really is looking worse for the wear, or you don’t have one already, you might want to think about a new one.
Patios are no longer just for functionality. More and more they are being used to create a low-maintenance element of gardens with raised beds, seating and water features all tying in to create a unique and beautiful outdoor space.
You can also try porcelain paving if you’re tired of battling to keep concrete or stone slabs clean.
Porcelain paving looks just like the real deal but is completely frost and algae resistant, meaning it stays looking clean and new for much longer than natural stone. Check out Pavestone.co.uk for some inspirational visuals.
STEP 3: OUTDOOR LOUNGE
It goes without saying that you’ll need a screen outdoors to watch the big games. If the weather is fine, then you can easily just move your house telly outside for each match.
You just need to ensure you have a sturdy base for the TV and you can
In nice weather it’s the perfect place to cheer on your team
buy an extension aerial from most electrical goods stores or online if your lead isn’t long enough. You can also buy or hire projectors and outdoor screens to recreate match-day atmosphere in your garden.
Outdoor sofas and armchairs are a fantastic alternative to boring, brittle plastic chairs of old. They will keep your guests comfy and be a fantastic addition to your garden for the rest of the summer. You can even get waterproof cushions that don’t need bringing inside when it rains – perfect for the Irish climate.
A good brand is Hartman, which has a wide range of items that might work for your garden. See www.hartmanuk. com for inspiration.
STEP 4: FINAL TOUCHES
String up lights and lanterns for some extra atmosphere and decorate your space with a few flags or bunting to support your team.
You might want to provide blankets for guests to stay warm in the evening, plus lots of cushions for your outdoor furniture.
A pop-up gazebo is also a good idea in case of rain. Outdoor heating solutions such as fire pits, chimeneas and patio heaters are also perfect as the temperature drops later in the evening. Keep the catering simple and fill large bowls with crisps and snacks or fire up the BBQ for some laid-back hot dogs and burgers served in napkins.
Don’t forget to fill a large cooler box with ice to stash all your drinks out on the patio.
That’ll save you from having to keep popping back indoors and missing that spectacular penalty!