How To Stay Cool When Hosting Outside This Summer – 6 Expert Tips for Enjoying the Outdoors, Even on the Hottest Days of the Year
Hot summer days are inevitable. With these expert recommendations in mind, you and your guests can enjoy the outdoors without feeling uncomfortable
Outdoor hosting is one of the best ways to enjoy the summertime. Whether it's brunch on the patio, an afternoon pool party, or a moonlit, al fresco dinner, nothing can ruin the mood of a day spent outdoors – well, except soaring temperatures. So how do you and your guests keep cool when hosting outside in the summer?
We spoke to hosting experts who shared their practical and creative approaches to staying cool and adding shade while spending time outside this season. Below, find their tips so you can enjoy hosting outdoors – no matter the temperature.
Dining outside is one of the best ways to enjoy the summer season, especially if you employ the following tips to keep you and your guests cool.
Whether you're prepping a small backyard for summer hosting or you're gearing up your large outdoor living room for an evening get-together, these six hosting tips can ensure a summer full of refreshingly cool outdoor parties.
1. Create Spots of Shade
Serena and Lily's Teak Market Umbrella is large in size, which means it'll create a substantial amount of shade on your patio.
It's always a good idea to have some shaded areas in your backyard. Even if you love soaking up the sun, some guests might prefer to relax in the shade. And on hot days, a shady zone can make your patio feel so much cooler.
Hosting expert Julianna McIntosh says that shaded areas are a must. 'I recommend using large umbrellas or pop-up tents to provide ample cover. Setting up comfortable seating areas under the shade with cozy cushions and fans can help guests stay cool and relaxed,’ she explains.
Things like outdoor umbrellas, small gazebos, and even tall plants can create shade in your outdoor space. And the more shading elements you have, the more outdoor space you'll be able to enjoy on a hot summer day.
Bring some trend-driven style to your backyard with this umbrella. Between its light blue color and its chic, scalloped edges, it'll make your patio feel like a 5-star resort.
Shade sails are such a clever way to provide shade because they don't take up too much floor space. You can hook two sides of this shade to an exterior wall and the third to a tree, pergola post, or anything else of the right height. Plus, it'll provide so much shade underneath.
Small patios still need shady spaces. This half umbrella makes that possible. Because of its clever design, it can stand flush against an exterior wall while providing a shady area underneath.
2. Encourage a Flow Between Indoors and Out
While the sun is still hot, host your guests inside your home. But once it sets and the temperature feels much cooler, take the party outside to blend indoor and outdoor hosting.
If a shady space is not enough, you could combine indoor and outdoor hosting by starting the party inside and then transitioning outdoors once it's cool enough, author and entertainment expert Dawna Pitts recommends.
‘I live in very sunny Paradise Valley, Arizona, so oftentimes I hold the 'mingling hour' (the beginning forty-five minutes to an hour) inside, and then, after the sun has set enough, I love taking the party outside for comfortable dining without the sun beating down,’ she shares.
Keep exterior doors open so guests can quickly move from outside back in, and vice versa. Just make sure to use a screen door or a magnetic screen to keep unwanted pests from finding their way inside.
After hosting an outdoor party, the last thing you want is to come inside and find swarms of bugs flying around because the patio door was left open. Make sure that doesn't happen by installing this convenient magnetic screen. This way, you can keep the door open, guests can move freely, and bugs won't find their way inside.
If you want to create a chic and romantic look on your patio, consider installing outdoor curtains. This set of two can effortlessly blow in the breeze on a summer day. It'll allow you to enjoy sitting outdoors while creating privacy on your patio. These curtains will certainly play a big role in blending indoor and outdoor living.
Create a stylish transition between your interiors and your patio with this macrame curtain. I'd hang it above the door on the inside of your home so that it's not completely exposed to the outdoor elements, but it can still tie into the decor scheme of your patio.
3. Plan a Summer Menu With Intention
Center your menu around the season by choosing meals that are served cool and feature summer-specific foods. As for the drinks, you can never go wrong with any version of a spritz.
A summer party calls for a seasonally appropriate menu and what you serve can make all the difference to keep guests cool. Rather than serving heavy, hot dishes and strong drinks, opt for light meals, seasonal accoutrements, and cold, refreshing cocktails.
According to luxury event planner Cassie LaMere, there are so many creative drinks to serve when hosting outdoors in the summertime. 'Serve beverages in mint julep cups with shaved ice that hold onto their cooling effect even in peak heat, or have glassware in a freezer so it presents frosted,' she suggests. It helps to set up an outdoor drink station, too, or at least a few chic ice buckets – this way, you don't have to run back inside to make another round.
As for the food, you can never go wrong with fish as the main course (grilled halibut is always a winner for an elevated but easy dish). That said, there are so many other summer foods that are worth serving at your party – like sliced fruit, melon and prosciutto platters, or cold pasta salads.
After putting so much thought into the menu itself, don't forget to set the table with the same level of intention. This decorative platter can help you serve your summer dishes in style, and since it's made of melamine, it's perfectly safe for outdoor use.
Name cards are such a special touch to add to a tablescape. When hosting outdoors this summer, keep your guests' name cards in place with these adorable clam shell holders.
Give your guests glasses as tasteful as the cocktails you've prepared. These six feature a unique green pattern, and since they're acrylic, they're extra safe for outdoor use. No need to worry about broken glasses here.
4. Incorporate Cooling Devices
If you don't have a covered porch to provide shade, consider adding some portable cooling units to your patio, like an outdoor-safe fan or misters.
Sometimes, shade is simply not enough to keep you cool while outside – especially when the summer heat surpasses 90 degrees. That's why it's a good idea to incorporate cooling units or devices into your backyard's design scheme.
If you have a covered porch, consider installing an outdoor ceiling fan to circulate air, and if you don't have a covered space, opt for a standing fan instead. If you live in a very hot climate, consider installing misters – or wire-like devices that can spray water around your patio to keep you and your guests extra cool and comfortable.
Not every standing fan is meant for outdoor use. But this model from Dreo can handle outdoor conditions. It features adjustable airflow levels as well as misting capabilities to keep you and your guests cool. As a bonus, this fan can connect to an app on your smartphone to operate.
If you have a covered patio, consider installing an outdoor ceiling fan in the space to create extra comfort on hot days. With its aerodynamic blades, this fan can move air effectively – keeping your patio cool and breezy.
This 75ft mister is easy to install on your patio. All you need to do is secure it to a water source to operate. I'd recommends stringing it along a patio railing for maximum cooling effect, but you can mount this mister in any way you see fit for your home.
5. Use a Light Color Scheme
It's always a good idea to use light colors to keep cool in the summertime. These white cushioned outdoor dining chairs from Lulu and Georgia will give your guests a soft place to sit that won't feel scorching hot.
Light colors just make sense for outdoor summer hosting. These shades absorb less heat than darker colors do, and they can even trick your brain into feeling cooler, too.
According to our editor Jennifer Ebert, 'a lighter color scheme can completely transform how an outdoor space feels during the summer months.' She recommends utilizing a soft summer color palette of whites, warm neutrals, and pale natural tones to make patio seating areas feel fresh and more comfortable for summer hosting. 'Beyond the practical benefits, these airy hues also create a relaxed, timeless backdrop that enhances the feeling of being outdoors,' Jennifer continues.
Decor aside, you can even recommend that guests dress in light colors to help them feel even cooler as they enjoy time outside at your house.
Create a picturesque poolside scheme with a few of these towels from Serena and Lily. Its soft white and blue stripe pattern is so chic for summer, and because of these light colors, this towel won't absorb too much heat when laid flat.
There's nothing worse than stepping onto your patio barefoot and scorching the bottom of your foot because the ground is so hot. Eliminate that issue by incorporating a light-colored rug. This one is natural in color, meaning it won't look dirty in a high-traffic outdoor setting. Plus, its texture will provide softness underfoot.
Outdoor pillows can instantly elevate your patio and make it look more stylized for summertime. To trick your brain into feeling cooler, consider adding light-colored pillows on your outdoor sofa, like this one from McGee & Co. Its off-white base, green and blue stripes, and floral motifs look so elegant.
6. Appeal to All of the Senses
Line your outdoor tablescape with fresh flowers that don't only look inviting, but smell inviting, too.
Another way you can make your outdoor space feel cooler in the summer is by tapping into all of the senses. According to hosting expert Cassie LaMere, this is a key element in hosting a successful gathering. Since we've covered sight, taste, and touch, that leaves scent and sound.
'Saltwater or eucalyptus scents are refreshing and soothing,’ Cassie suggests in terms of scent. And while you can definitely buy a candle to emit a refreshing summer scent, consider planting fragrant summer flowers that will immerse your garden in cooling, fresh fragrances.
In terms of sound, Cassie suggests playing peaceful music to set the mood. 'Keep the playlist soothing with ocean waves or yacht rock; both will transport you to on-the-water instant chill vibes,' she says.
With notes of olive leaf and lemon grass, this candle will fill your patio with an inviting smell. It's not too strong, but not too dull either – just the right amount of scent to intrigue your guests.
Play some light music when hosting outside with this outdoor-proof speaker. Designed with a clip, it's easily portable, and it's waterproof, too. With this speaker, you can enjoy up to 12 hours of music.
Sitting outside is so much more enjoyable when you don't have to worry about bugs. This candle can help – it's designed to be bug repellent and features notes of tomato and basil. As a bonus, its rattan-wrapped exterior is so chic.
Hosting an outdoor event in the summer doesn't have to be a sweltering ordeal. Keeping you and your guests cool is simple when you follow these six tips – no matter what the mercury reads. With thoughtful preparation and creative touches, your outdoor summer party is sure to be a success.
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