Five essentials for outdoor living
Summer is well and truly upon us, but before you can fully relax, check you’re on top of these essential elements for outdoor living.
Summer is well and truly upon us, but before you can fully relax by the backyard barbecue, you might want to check that you’re on top of these essential elements for outdoor living. Here are five factors to have considered to make the great outdoors comfortable for the warmer months ahead.
Furniture
Not so long ago, our outdoor furniture usually comprised a table and chairs with a market umbrella. And maybe a sun lounger by the pool, if we had one.
But that’s not what’s been happening over the past couple of years. Now, we’re all taking a more laid-back approach to outdoor entertaining – literally. Sofas and low tables re-create living rooms outdoors, so we can lounge about in comfort.
In recent years, technology has also improved materials to such an extent that furniture can be left out in the rain, and the materials will dry quickly.
Shade
No outdoor living area is complete without some sort of shade.
Sun umbrellas are the easy option. For several years now, black umbrellas have been de rigueur, but that’s all changing. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing, as fading is a lot more noticeable with a dark colour.
Trends expected this summer include more bright colours and stripes. Mitre 10 also notes a shift to more earthy colour palettes. Light neutral tones are paired with pastel accessories.
Fabric quality is a key consideration if you don’t want your umbrella to fade quickly – more expensive fabrics will have better UV resistance. And the more ribs an umbrella has, the more flexible it will be in the wind, and the longer it will last.
Bug control
In some places, screened porches are considered a virtual necessity. Considering the hot, wet, bugbeset summer New Zealanders commonly experience, is it time we get on board with the idea too?
Just imagine the freedom of dining with friends on a breezy late summer evening minus that horrid mosquito whining that means a new bite is on its way.
If screening is out of the budget, less heroic bug control measures can still prevail.
Tips include removing stagnant water, popular mosquito breeding grounds, and keeping the air moving by switching on a fan.
Otherwise, topical insect repellents – especially those that contain diethyltoluamide (DEET) or picaridin or oil of lemon eucalyptus – are effective.
Barbecue right
Eating and cooking outdoors are one of the boons of the season, so a good barbecue is essential. The only decision remaining is which to choose? These days, charcoal burners are defined by their high technology and are almost as much in demand as gas.
Some people swear that you get extra flavour with the smoke from charcoal and wood chips. But ceramic barbecues also have the advantage of retaining heat, so they can become really hot or can be used as a slow cooker, for meals such as pulled pork or brisket.
Modern gas barbecues all come with hoods, which were once only seen on expensive models. Now they are available in a wide range of styles and prices.
New barbecues also have another advantage over older models – maintenance is a lot easier. Most modern barbecues have stainless steel grills that simply wipe clean. Charcoal burners have a high residual heat, so they can operate like a selfcleaning oven – residue can be wiped away. And the fully glazed exteriors of ceramic barbecues are rust free and easy to keep clean.
Shower outdoors
You’re eating, drinking and relaxing outside? Why not extend the camping-at-home experience by showering outdoors as well?
An outdoor shower has the added benefit of allowing you to rinse off sand or mud.
Some handy people might consider a DIY project to truly make it their own.