From ensuring you have plenty of comfortable seating to using elevated (and eco-friendly) disposable dishes and flatware, there are some entertaining essentials to keep in mind when you host an outdoor summer gathering.

Here, we take a look at the essentials to have in place to ensure your event is a smashing success. From lighting and seating to a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, here’s how to create the perfect outdoor space for any type of gathering.

Take a Seat

Whether you have a cool and shady patio, a spacious yard, or a concrete pool deck, providing comfortable seating options for your guests is a must. If you’re going for a cushioned seating experience, look for all-weather fabric that won’t fade in the sun. Sunbrella is a popular option that is known for its durability against the elements and its wide catalog of colors and patterns.

Another stylish and durable seating option for your guests is Adirondack chairs. Created by Thomas Lee way back in 1903, these are the result of Lee’s pursuit to create the “perfect outdoor chair.” Look for solid wood chairs that are all-weather-treated, and they’ll last for years to come. These seats add a touch of New England elegance to any outdoor entertaining design.

Create Spaces

When it comes to furniture set-ups, think about your event and the mood you’re looking to strike. If you want to encourage intimate conversation in smaller groups, consider a loveseat opposite two armchairs. If you hope to invite larger group interaction, a large sectional (with plenty of throw pillows!) surrounding a firepit fits the bill. Or perhaps it’s just you and your significant other outdoors for the evening, in which case snuggling up on a cozy swing bed may be what’s ideal.

Get the Lights

When the sun goes down, keep the party going with some stylish lighting. From twinkle lights to solar-powered walkway lights, options abound to create the ideal ambiance. Sconce lights offer a moodier vibe, while overhead and pendant lights create more direct lighting—perfect for playing board games or reading on the patio. Think about your outdoor space and how you envision its use, and then add lights where they’ll bring the most impact.

Stylish Accents

If you plan to host guests to watch a big sporting event, then ensure the action never stops by installing a big-screen TV in your outdoor space, complete with quality sound components. In the heat of summer, a ceiling fan is a must to keep the air circulating. Alternatively, if your outdoor entertaining carries over into the fall, an outdoor fireplace, fire pit or heater is a must. And don’t forget to keep a basket of throw blankets available for cool nights. Again, think about your most common entertaining scenarios, and put yourself in your guests’ shoes. By anticipating everything they may want or need, you’ll ensure they’ll never want or need for anything.

Get Cooking in the Outdoor Kitchen

Perhaps the most sought-after and well-used feature of any outdoor entertaining space is a well-appointed outdoor kitchen. Ensure you have all the essentials that will save you from making trips back and forth into the kitchen. An outdoor-grade refrigerator is essential for storing grilling items and prepared side dishes. A beverage cooler will keep the drinks perfectly chilled. A grill is a given—be it charcoal, gas, or electric. And don’t forget the convenience an outdoor sink and dishwasher bring.

Keep the party going all year round by creating the perfect outdoor gathering space. By implementing a few simple design features and investing in the perfect outdoor kitchen, your home will be the one everyone gravitates to. When you’re ready to start planning your outdoor kitchen design, the experts at Appliance Gallery are standing by.