With the 4th of July just around the corner and BBQ season in full swing across North America, it's likely that you may be preparing to host some people in your outdoor space! It's also possible that you've had an incredibly busy first half of 2025 and that your outdoor space may need some tidying up. Lucky for you, we've put together this blog of tips and tricks to ensure your outdoor space is ready to go!
Lawn & Garden
Probably the clear and obvious layup here, but for anyone with a lawn, a good backyard cleanup starts with taking care of the yard!
- Rake leaves and pick up loose twigs, branches and leaves
- Mow the grass and trim and edge the borders of the yard for an extra clean look
- Remove weeds and other imperfections from the yard or garden
- Trim trees and bushes to help frame spaces and create a more orderly space
- Check for any pet or wild animal waste and dispose of it properly
Patio & Seating Areas
Regardless of whether or not you have a lawn, it's very likely you have a patio or dedicated space for sitting and gathering. This is a priority area to tidy up!
- Spray down/power wash the patio - a powerful jet of water and a cleaning solution can do wonders for a dirty patio
- Remove leaves, dirty and other natural clutter from seating, tables and the patio itself
- Arrange chairs in desired locations - considering adding cushions for extra comfort
- If you have an outdoor rug, consider using a vacuum or leaf blower to get it looking good as new!
Tables & Fire Features
Next up is making sure your tables and fire features are cleaned up.
- Wipe down dirt and grime from table surfaces
- Considering decorating the table with plants, appetizers, small fire features like our Intrigue Table Top Lantern or other small items
- Ensure fire features have been cleaned (burner pan wiped down, burner ports cleared of debris, table surface wiped down)
- Spray and wipe down glass guards and clean the fire media to ensure safe operation
- Hook up a fresh propane tank and ensure safe and proper fire feature startup - for Outdoor GreatRoom fire tables, you can check out this video to ensure you're starting up your fire feature safely: How To Light an Outdoor Gas Fire Pit Table
Food & Drink
If cooking food is on your agenda, ensure all your appliances are ready for that barbecue-y goodness!
- Scrape and clean grill, pizza ovens, smokers or any other outdoor cooking appliances and ensure proper fuel sources and tools are cleaned and ready for use
- Stock coolers with ice for drinks and cold food items
- Have a dedicated area for food staging - you can never go wrong with buffet style food serving for outdoor events!
Entertainment
Aside from food and fire features, you may elect to entertain your guests in other ways! Here's some miscellaneous cleaning and set up reminders for a variety of outdoor entertaining options!
- Arrange a music or audio setup for a soundtrack that matches your party's vibes
- Set up yard games like bags/corn hole, ladder golf, washer toss, or others!
- If you've got a pool, ensure proper cleaning has been completed and the chemical balance is correct! Keep your pool covered until it's ready for use.
- Games/Contests - if your party has a theme, consider thematic games or contests to engage your guests! Gather and set up the event prior to guest arrival to maximize efficiency so your guests can dive right into the fun!
Safety
Regardless of your planned events and activities, make sure you have proper safety items and precautions in place.
- Create a backup plan for rain or other inclement weather - have a general plan of what to do if the weather may get stormy or rainy. In areas where severe weather like high winds, hail or or tornadoes are possible, be sure you have a dedicated space to take shelter that safely accommodates your guests
- Have a first aid kit at the ready in the event of a minor injury
- You may also considering treating your outdoor space with bug repellents to ensure a more comfortable, bug-free atmosphere for your guests. If you don't plan to treat space, have some bug spray on hand just in case. Though smelly, sprays containing DEET tend to work well, especially for those pesky gnats and mosquitoes. Citronella candles and electronic bug zappers can also prove effective!
