Entertain with Ease in the Great Outdoors

Posted on May 3, 2021 under IDC Profile

As the days get longer and the weather warms, outdoor entertaining beckons homeowners to their backyards to indulge. As glorious as a warm, breezy evening can be, there are many upgrades that can make any outdoor affair more enjoyable. Showrooms at the Indiana Design Center have many options to choose from to enhance your outdoor living experience this spring and summer.

Made for Shade

After a long winter, the feeling of light and warmth is luxurious. Perhaps even more luxurious than spring sunlight is the ability to dim it when it gets too intense. Retractable shades provide the option to shield your guests from insects and glare. Design professionals at Drapery Street can customize shades to the specifications of your home, offering various opacities and fabrics, UV protection and options to motorize.

“Adding shades to sunrooms and patios can transform the room while still preserving the view,” says Erika Reimer of Drapery Street.

Outdoor shades from Hunter Douglas can be adjusted for the desired function (sun, wind and bug protection) while maintaining a great view. Photo: Hunter Douglas.

Just Add Ambience

Music is a central component of any gathering, and quality integrated speakers are essential to a backyard setup. Strategically placing speakers contributes to your overall home aesthetic by blending into the scenery, and homeowners can create a soothing ambience for their guests by automating the technology to control volume and music selection.

“We have a large selection of speakers to choose from, as well as the technology to operate them seamlessly,” says Jason Barth of The Premier Group.

Outdoor sound systems from the Sonance Landscape series are elegantly placed throughout the area for premium sound coverage and minimal visibility. Photo: submitted by The Premier Group.

For the Grill Master

Creating an inviting outdoor event always involves food. A luxury outdoor kitchen is the ultimate level of comfort, offering powerful cooking ability, refrigeration and ventilation in addition to extensive prep space. Freestanding grills are another high-end option that is convenient in a multi-use environment as well.

“An outdoor kitchen or grill is just like an indoor kitchen; guests tend to gather where the host is getting food ready. We offer lots of options to create that environment,” says Brian Adams of Godby Hearth & Home.

The luxury and conveniences of an indoor kitchen can also be enjoyed outdoors, as in this kitchen with the pictured 42” Twin Eagles grill. Photo: Twin Eagles.

IDC showroom professionals can bring you up to speed on the latest outdoor entertainment offerings and professionals like those at Surroundings by Natureworks+ have the design expertise to help you design an incredible outdoor living space.