Summer is the perfect time to spend more time outdoors. However, the bugs and need to keep foods cold can leave you reluctant to enjoy the warm summer evenings.
The good news is there are hacks you can use to make your outdoor dining experience much better. Whether it's using water to keep ants away or salt to keep foods colder, you'll find yourself enjoying your backyard for dining much more often.
Prevent Ants by Putting Your Table Legs in Water
This is such a simple tip that you'll wonder why you never thought of it. To keep ants from taking over your table, place the legs of the table in pans of water (you can use disposable pans). The ants will drown while trying to get to your food. If you want to add even more protection, add peppermint essential oil to the water. Ants hate the smell of the peppermint and will stay away naturally.
Keep Foods Colder with Salt
If you want to keep your foods nice and cold while dining outdoors, create a pan for the dishes of cold foods to set in and fill with ice, water, and salt. The salt will lower the temperature of the water and everything will stay nice and cold for longer. If you want to avoid running back and forth, but want your cold foods to stay at the proper temperature, use this tip.
Place Dryer Sheets Under Your Tablecloth to Ward Off Bugs
Another simple way to ward off bugs is to place dryer sheets under your tablecloth. The smell is a natural deterrent for many bugs and is completely safe for your guests. It will even add a pleasant smell to your dining area. Best of all, you don't have to worry about the chemicals that citronella candles can put off while burning.
Light Up the Area Without All the Wires
Want to add lighting to your dining area without running the wires or dealing with dead batteries? Visit your local thrift store and find some lamps. You can spray paint them any color you like. Remove the cords from the lamps. Next, take solar lights and remove the stakes used to put them in the ground. You can then pop the top part into the socket of the lamp. Set the lamps out in the sun so they can be powered at night. Add the shades at night and you've got gorgeous lighting that can go anywhere.
Create a Drink Area with Concrete Pavers and Pallets
If you want a bar area to place your lemonade or iced tea dispensers on or to just want to create another conversation area, you can stand pallets on their side and then top with concrete pavers to create a quick and easy bar. If you want to make this a permanent addition to your backyard, you can paint the pallets to improve the look and use liquid nail to attach the pavers to the pallets. Otherwise, you can just take down the bar and reassemble at each get together.
Outdoor dining doesn't have to be a hassle. There are so many great hacks you can use that will make your dining experience so much better. What hacks do you like to use? Leave a comment below.
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