Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and then the holiday entertaining season is truly upon us. This time of year is usually filled with planning, parties, and people……lots of people. And, the struggle of where to comfortably entertain all of those people is real. After all, not everyone has a home layout that makes engaging and entertaining guests easy. But, there is a solution. A perk of living in the South during the fall is that having a warm day for Thanksgiving is not unusual. So, why not take advantage of this warm weather and plan to have your Thanksgiving spread outside in your outdoor space- be it a patio, a porch, a pergola, or an outside kitchen.

Tips and Tricks for Easy Outdoor Holiday Entertaining:

If you have never attempted to host a Thanksgiving feast outdoors, then the very thought might seem a bit daunting. After all, it might sound like a great deal of work. Fortunately, holiday entertaining outdoors is not nearly as challenging as it might sound – especially if you know a few tricks and tips.

Let’s get started.

• Plan for your pets. You may not be bothered by your pets running around your Thanksgiving spread, but this might not hold true for everyone. If possible, have a place in your home where your pets can chill out during your Thanksgiving feast.
• Plan a menu that can be prepared in advance or, if doable, in an outside kitchen or on the grill. You might even want to think beyond the traditional Thanksgiving meal and have some fun. Some ideas for sides include corn on the cob, garlic bread, grilled zucchini, veggie skewers, rice, stuffed Portobello mushrooms.
• Consider Firepits: Just because living in Georgia often means great weather for Thanksgiving, it doesn’t mean it always happens. Consider having a fire pit or chimenea ready to use, in the event it is a cooler day.
• Dinnerware. Choose dinnerware that is sturdy, but easy to clean up. Whether you opt for disposable pieces (saves time on washing dishes!) or you prefer an eclectic setup made up of flea market finds, your tableware is a great way to add color and personality to your outdoor holiday entertaining.
• Be flexible with the seating. Unlike a fancy dinner with place cards and formal sedating, hosting Thanksgiving outdoors can be laid back and relaxed.
• Think about the lighting. If you anticipate eating later in the day then be sure your outdoor space is well lit. Be it strings of white lighting, flameless candles, or even table lamps – you don’t want to eat in the dark.
• Have a plan B. Just because the weather is usually warm enough for an outdoor Thanksgiving feast, that doesn’t mean it always is. Be sure you have a backup plan in the event of cold or wet weather.

Holiday entertaining outside is a great way to enjoy the day – and without feeling claustrophobic in a crowded room. Use these tips to make your Thanksgiving event a wonderful day that is talked about for months (and perhaps years) to come. And, if your current landscape doesn’t offer an outdoor entertainment feature, don’t despair. Give the Outdoor Makeover & Construction team a call today. We can design a space for you so that outdoor entertainment can be done in the future. Call now.

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Outdoor lighting is a must have for any well-designed landscape. It’s not just there for aesthetics, but provides a number of benefits, the most obvious being to see better at night. But when it comes to deciding what types of landscape lighting will work best with your yard’s design, it can be a bit overwhelming to make decisions – unless you have a good understanding of the types of outdoor lighting available. In choosing outdoor lighting it is important to note that there are three main types – motion sensors/flood lights used for security measures, landscape lighting spotlights (aka accent lighting) is perfect for walkways and paths, and spotlights. Each of these types have several subgroups, so working with an outdoor lighting team provides a better understanding how they all work together.

• Flood Lights These are ideal for a pool or entertainment area as it allows you to enjoy the fun long after the sun goes down. However, they are frequently used in parking areas or with yards where the need to improve security means chasing away the dark corners. When implemented for security purposes, many homeowners opt for those which are motion activated. When looking at motion sensor lights, most homeowners opt for those which can be set on a timer or either those that work on solar energy. These lights can typically be mounted to the walls of a home, as well as along paths, or an outdoor building.
• Landscape Lights If you have a landscape that is especially delightful and you want to enjoy it to its fullest at any time of day, then landscape lighting is the way to go! These types of lights come in array of shapes and sizes, and may be solar powered, connected into the power source of your home or set up on a separate system. Landscape lights are the perfect way to accent statuary or architectural design, add extra light to a garden path or brighten an entry way. Some common types of landscape lighting include outdoor sconces that are mounted to the side of the home, stand-alone lanterns, mounted barn lights, bulk head lights, or even string lights that may trail the underside of a railing. They are available in contemporary, traditional, coastal, rustic, country, cottage, industrial and many other design styles so there is sure to be outdoor lights that match your style and architecture.
• Spotlights These are perfect for brightening a region of your landscape. They differ from flood lights as they are designed to illuminate a specific space in the landscape – be it the front door or a water feature. The beam is typically focused on a particular spot, and can be mounted at any level, making them a great addition to security lights. As landscape design pros, the Outdoor Makeover and Construction team knows the benefits of each type of outdoor lighting and is skilled at implementing them in a way to enhance your landscape. We will assess your landscape and create a custom look that works all year around so you can fully enjoy each Georgia season. Give us a call today at 404.587.5656 to get started on your landscape paradise.

The post Types of Outdoor Lighting for Your Georgia Landscape appeared first on Outdoor Makeover & Living Spaces.