Get Organized for a Backyard Barbecue!

Sunny and warm days are ahead, which means optimal weather for a backyard barbecue with your household. To make sure you aren’t caught unawares the next sunny day that comes, take the time now to set up your outdoor entertaining and most importantly, your barbecue!

Uncover Patio Furniture

Pull out your patio from its winter storage area – whether it is in your garage, shed, or still outside under patio covers. Determine where you will place your furniture and consider the location carefully. For example, where do you get the most sun exposure, and at what time of day? How close is the furniture and entertaining space to the house? When hosting barbecues, it is more convenient to be near the house to easily move food and drinks in and out. Once you’ve decided on your location, place the furniture to create the perfect eating and relaxing area.

Clean, Clean, Clean

No matter how carefully items are stored, there will likely still be some dust and grime to clean off your outdoor furniture and décor. Take some time to spray and wipe everything down so you can eat and visit on clean and fresh smelling furniture. If you have cushions stored separately, make sure they’re given a quick airing and pat down to remove any dust that has accumulated.

Of course, it’s important to make sure the star of the show is also thoroughly cleaned and ready for the main event. Before you fire up the grill for the first time, make sure it has had a good clean and scrub. You can check out this guide from Popular Mechanics on how you can properly clean your barbecue before use.

Inspect Your Items

Check to make sure all your furniture and décor are in working order. Any cushions that need replacing or lights that are burnt out? Need more charcoal or smoke chips, or a replacement brush for the barbecue? Take inventory of what items you may have around the house and in outdoor storage to see what else might need restocking before the barbecue and outdoor season begins in earnest.

Enjoy for the Season

Once you’ve finished inspecting and replaced any materials that were damaged or used up last season, you can look forward to enjoying your outdoor space for the rest of the season! To keep your outdoor space organized and in working order for the rest of the spring and summer season, implement some practical and easy-to-find storage placements for items you won’t need outside all the time. For example, outdoor cushions and décor might only be needed when the space is in use, so if you have furniture with built-in storage, plan for where to keep items in the interim. You can also designate a space in your backyard shed, garage, or spare storage space in your home that is easy to access whenever you’re ready to go outside. If you have separate outdoor dining accessories, consider keeping them in a kitchen cupboard or drawer so they are all together and in easy reach of the backyard or patio.

Finally, don’t forget to keep your eye on the weather forecast for the next perfect barbecue day!

Organize your yard for outdoor entertaining

Social distance outdoors with a smile! By organizing your backyard right, you can safely enjoy the warm summer weather from the comfort of your own yard.

After you’ve cleared clutter from your yard, it’s important to plan a functional space that stays organized and allows you to enjoy the great outdoors. Especially at a time when social distancing is essential, you can create a space that also allows for safe entertaining.

Having designated sitting and play areas can increase the usability of your yard and maintain organization because each space has a purpose and its own storage solutions. This way, each member of your family can also enjoy the yard without getting in the way or having to move items around before use.

Organization is much more than just a one-time project. Setting up the right space in your backyard can help you make sure it stays that way. An important part of any outdoor space is seating. Set-up a space that is large enough to accommodate whatever furniture you have, whether it’s a lounge set or outdoor table. Having extra room for additional seating if needed is also a good idea. Make sure that enough space can between the seats so people can maintain proper distance if necessary. 

Storage solutions, whether it is an ottoman and/or shelving unit, should also be placed practically in this area and easy to access when items need to be put away. Seat covers, cushions, and other entertaining items need to have a safe and weather-protected place to be stored when they aren’t in use, and it is more functional to have a dedicated storage place close to where they are used.

While backyard sports and activities can take place throughout a yard, make sure that your storage space for toys and other gardening tools is close enough to access but out of the way enough that it doesn’t get in the way when the backyard is in use. The shed or storage cabinet should be easy for everyone in your family to access so toys and other equipment can be stored easily after they’re used.

 During the summer, make sure you enjoy your time outside by setting up a functional backyard that everyone in your family can use!

Areas to Organize Outside the Home

Now that it seems like the nicer weather is here to stay, why not take the time to get your outdoor areas organized? From your backyard to your garage, there is much to get in order so you can enjoy the warmer season ahead!

Garage

The garage can accumulate a lot of clutter. For many, the garage is a major source of storage and can quickly fill up with everything from outdoor gear to holiday decorations and extra household items. Take some time to go through any boxes, cabinets and shelves in your garage to take stock of what you have. Then, determine that items you actually use and need, and what items are old, damaged, or unused. Also consider whether or not some items might be best stored elsewhere in your home or shed where they are more often used.

When putting items back, be sure to group like items together. For example, keep all the sports equipment together and all the hardware tools together. To maximize available space and keep items orderly, use every available space and get creative. Consider using hooks or pegboards to keep tools neat and easy to access. Labelling items in shelves or containers can also make them easier to find and keep track of, especially for smaller items.

Backyard

Whatever size of backyard you have, there are always a lot of “things” that can accumulate around the yard. Even though it’s an outdoor space, think of your backyard as another room in your home – a place with storage and order. 

Having a shed can be a great way to make sure items like toys and maintenance tools are put away.  You can also consider alternative options like bike racks and outdoor toy chests to prevent these items from cluttering the lawn when they’re not in use. Hoses, sprinklers and watering cans can also be safely stored away when you’re done using them by installing larger hooks or storage cabinets outside your shed or home.

Shed

The shed can be a perfect place to keep items commonly used in your backyard. This will save you the trip of going into your garage or into the house and can keep additional clutter from accumulating in these spaces. Items like gardening tools, outdoor toys, and lawn care equipment can easily be stored in a shed so they organized and easy to grab when needed. Install shelving units, hooks, or cupboards to store items if your shed allows. Many out-of-the-box solutions come with the option of adding adjustable shelving so you can make the space work for your needs. You’ll have a much easier time finding your gardening gloves if they’re hanging from a hook instead of rooting around in boxes or on the floor of the shed.

 Remember to put items away in their proper place when you’re done using them. Don’t just put them down wherever or leave them outside. Make putting items away a regular habit for you and any other family members. Not only will this keep the space organized, but it will also make sure items are protected from getting lost or damaged.

Patio

This area of your backyard comes with its own set of clutter like furniture, accessories, barbecue equipment, decorations, and sometimes more toys. However, there are many different ways to incorporate storage solutions that won’t take up too much space or diminish the overall look of the space. Decorative outdoor shelves can be a great way to display plants and also keep them organized in one area. Look for outdoor furniture and ottomans that double as storage chests or drawers to keep cushions, pillows and towels when not in use.

Although it may be tempting to add decorative pieces to your patio, be careful not to crowd it with unnecessary clutter. A few key pieces are a great way to make a space more inviting, but keep in mind that the more you have, the more you have to buy, clean and store. Just like rooms inside your home, having too many items can take up valuable space on your patio and in your wallet. Instead, utilize the natural beauty of the great outdoors to enhance your space!