It’s Wednesday! Summer time means spending more time outside, and where better to do it from the comfort of your own home? Take the time outside during these sunny days to relax and have fun in the sun! Read on below for the top 3 must have patio items and furniture!

Seating

If we had to limit ourselves to just 3 items to have at a patio, the number one most essential feature of a friendly porch or patio is SEATING. If you don’t have a place to sit and rest, the chances you will want to stay for any prolonged period of time is zero. Using multiple sofas in a block creates the feel of an entire outdoor room and would be a great place to entertain.  Even if space is limited, smaller conversation areas with single chairs is still an option!

Shade

In the summer months, even in cooler climates like here in Vancouver, the direct sun of midday can be overwhelming and unpleasant! Therefore, the patio or porch should have some source of shade. Creating a shady spot on your patio can be as easy as installing sun umbrellas or even sun shades. Of course if you want a more permanent solution, a pergola, awning for roof structure is another idea!

Sound

If your home is located in an urban or even suburban area, you may hear a lot of background noise when using your patio. A great way to cancel out the sounds of neighbors and traffic is with a sound feature. Installing outdoor speakers allows you to pipe any sounds or music you want into your backyard. Speakers can be installed into the ground or mounted on your home, fence, or pergola, or they can be even completely disguised!