More than any other season, summer is the best time to loosen up in the open air and bask in the comfortable evenings that are a relief from the day’s heat. Parties are even more fun in the lower temperatures of the evening hours. It’s a time for loved ones to gather and enjoy a stress-free time together. There are creative ideas to turn your patio into a perfect party place without going over budget. Here are some tips to help you make the most out of the summer evenings to come.

Organize the area. Space is the focus here, so take the time to go through the garden tools, garbage, and miscellaneous stuff that’s scattered in your back yard. A cabinet with doors, a tool rack, or a large storage bin are all great ways to hide the clutter and keep what you need nearby. Once the space has been cleared and you have extra space, get out the lawnmower, cut the grass and edge it to create a manicured and professional look. A landscaped yard gives the impression of order and organization and is key to any party area.

After cleaning out the clutter, establish where everyone will sit. If you don’t have patio furniture, consider buying some at a rummage sale or discount vendor and fixing it up yourself with some new cushions and repainting with some rust-repelling spray paint. You can get much more value for your money of furniture for only a few dollars and then transform it to look like you bought it from an expensive design store. If you don’t have a shaded top in your backyard, consider leasing or purchasing a garden gazebo to make shade for your guests. They are like having a new room outside and have paneled doors that easily open up and make for an inviting area to sit. They can also serve to keep the bugs out if you choose to serve the food inside the gazebo tent.

Food and drinks are some of the best parts of outdoor get-togethers. Lemonade with frozen cubes of strawberry puree is a great way to add a flavorful twist to plain lemonade. You can also freeze lemonade into cubes and serve it with ice-cold fruit-flavored soda for a tart and tangy secret ingredient!

As the night comes in, the flying insects come out, so consider buying the best repellent you can find to make your evening last even longer. They can really eliminate or repel the pesky bugs and improve your outdoor environment for you and your guests. Moreover, if you don’t have one already, you can purchase an outdoor fire pit or fire bowl for about $150-$160 from a local discount store. Use a search engine to look for classified ads by people looking to get rid of their outdoor items in good condition, because they’re moving or redecorating. This is a perfect way to get anything you need for much less than if you’d bought it at a retail store. As a suggestion, try stringing some lights outside to make your party really shine!