There still may be a chill in the air, but it’s time to start thinking about outdoor dining and entertaining. With Easter and other spring events right around the corner, many people are planning to host family and pals outdoors as the weather permits. Or even brave the elements, with a little help from outdoor heaters, fire tables and perhaps an outdoor throw blanket or two. Read on for the latest and greatest in outdoor dining, including tips for getting your patio ready for early spring entertaining and set-up to continue the party all (extended) season long.

Save the Date

Due to issues with the supply chain that have carried into 2021 as a result of the pandemic, it’s recommended to order patio furniture and outdoor accessories early this year. In particular for custom order furniture, it’s important to order soon so you don’t miss out on the early season entertaining, as lead times are expected to fall anywhere between four and twelve weeks.

Dining at a Distance

Now more than ever, we’re relying on outdoor dining as a way to spend time with family and friends. Many are investing in larger dining sets that allow space for entertaining and more room to distance, as needed. If space is a concern, consider an outdoor extension table. These versatile dining tables suit everyday open-air dining needs, and can easily be opened up to accommodate guests. Make sure to have sufficient seating available to allow your guests a comfortable spot at the table. High quality outdoor folding chairs and stackable chairs can be used when entertaining and stored away when not. Plus, they work great for picnics and camping when you decide to hit the road.

Back to outdoor dining at our homes—some are investing in multiple dining sets for the same area, perhaps a large dining set paired with a smaller dining set or a chat height dining group. These set-ups allow two households to dine in proximity without sharing a table; or they simply add some variety to the evening. Picture a dinner around a large dining set, and moving to a cozy chat set for drinks and dessert.

Comfort is Key

More and more this year, we’re seeing classic outdoor seating enhanced with the comfort of outdoor cushions. Quality outdoor cushions bring a lot more than good looks to the party. (Though today’s outdoor fabrics are trend-setters in sophisticated light colors, as well as greys, greens and blues, and with some melon, orange and rust tones bringing warmth to the offering.) The better and best outdoor cushions are built with durable and easy-to-clean fabric, from industry leaders like Sunbrella™, and quality materials—such as seat cushions cores of deep foam and back cushions of poly-fiber. These pieces are designed to bring some of the comfort that is found on quality indoor furnishings to your outdoor living spaces.

Further, some people are adding or switching altogether from outdoor dining and balcony sets to chat and seating collections. Still supporting casual meals, with plates on laps and drinks set on a stylish end table, these outdoor seating collections allow comfortable conversation well into the evening.

Fire Up the Grill (Big Green Egg)

Whether centering a celebration on a more formal outdoor meal with family friends, or enjoying a casual cookout with someone in your pod, home cooking has become a staple, hobby and form of entertainment in itself over the last year. This isn’t expected to change as more meals move outdoors, and many are investing in their outdoor cooking set-ups and tools accordingly. The Big Green Egg stands alone as the most versatile barbecue or outdoor cooking grill for family and friends. Easy start and easy temperature control features make the Big Green Egg a solid investment for novice to advanced home chefs. With a host of EGGcessories for grilling, baking, roasting or smoking, your backyard is set to be the next neighbor place-to-be, so start taking reservations!

Fire Tables

Fire tables and fire table sets continue to be a hot commodity in 2021, as people resume spending more outdoor time at their own homes, and invest in outdoor furniture accordingly. This year, we’re seeing large fire chat sets, such as a set that includes six comfy chat chairs with a fire table. Fire table outdoor seating groups with a sofa, multiple lounge chairs and/or a loveseat set around a large, often-rectangular fire table are also popular for accommodating guests with space to spare.

Summing, and Sunning, it Up

If there’s a theme in outdoor entertaining this year, it’s that furniture and accessories are geared more and more towards increased comfort that is suited to increased time outdoors. Whether it’s focused on having the accommodations for folks to spread out, or making sure that the seating they spread out on is designed for comfort, people are rethinking outdoor entertaining and their outdoor furniture set-ups.

The push to extend the outdoor living season makes items like patio heaters, once used primarily by commercial restaurants, widespread in private patio and deck settings. As we move towards the warmer months, the more time spent outdoors will also translate to the need for better sun protection. Larger and multiple patio umbrellas are becoming more prevalent as the need for shade solutions is a priority. Finally, protective patio furniture covers have become more standard as a way to protect patio furniture investments, and also make sure these pieces are ready for use as soon as foul weather clears.