OUTDOOR ENTERTAINING

spaces add warm-weather flair

When spring rapidly transforms into summer, it’s time to think about how to get your home ready for ample time spent entertaining outdoors.

If your home has a porch, pool or patio, there’s no reason to put these projects off any longer. Whether you’re updating or starting from scratch to add a new feature, outdoor entertainment spaces will keep friends and family running over to your house this summer.

“All of these outdoor entertaining features are great options for families living in Houston and Texas,” said John Gillette, president of Craftsmanship by John, and a member and past president of the Greater Houston Builders Association Remodelers Council.

Ask nearly anyone what their favorite part of outdoor gatherings is and most are in agreement that it’s the food. Consider adding a summer kitchen or a small building or shed next to the house to be used as kitchen for cookouts in warm weather.

“Summer or outdoor kitchens are great for great for barbecues in a climate like Houston’s,” Gillette said. “Covered or uncovered, these outdoor spaces are used quite a bit in the hotter months.”

Covered patios also are a popular and low-expense feature that offer refuge from the summer heat with food, drinks and conversation.

When the evenings start to cool down a bit, a fire pit, or a hole dug into the ground or freestanding, hollow, metal container to contain an outdoor fire, is also a popular feature for an al fresco hangout. This inexpensive feature isn’t all that complicated to build. You can simply add a grill top and a protective cover for easy cooking. Similarly, an outdoor pizza oven is sure to make you the star of the block, Gillette said. Lastly, any Houstonian or Texan knows that you can’t go wrong with hosting a party if you’ve got a pool or

Outdoor entertainment spaces will keep friends and family running over to your house this summer.

spa. Water features such as fountains and garden designs tie in with pools, as they add a serene ambience that gives way to a meditation area, making it easy to skip the yoga retreat in favor of a relaxation sanctuary in your own backyard.

Loggias, or galleries with one or more open side, are also growing in popularity. These open-sided extensions commonly form a part of a house with one side open to the garden.

For more home remodeling tips and project ideas, visit www.ghba.org.

“Covered or uncovered, these outdoor spaces are used quite a bit in the hotter months.” – John Gillette, president of Craftsmanship by John