{"id":46558,"date":"2023-05-22T10:30:34","date_gmt":"2023-05-22T09:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ratedpeople.com\/blog\/?p=46558"},"modified":"2024-05-13T10:23:23","modified_gmt":"2024-05-13T09:23:23","slug":"is-your-home-summer-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ratedpeople.com\/blog\/is-your-home-summer-ready","title":{"rendered":"Is your home summer ready?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With National BBQ Week around the corner, homeowners around the UK are preparing their gardens for a summer of outdoor entertainment. From fire pits to outdoor kitchens and pergolas, there has never been a better time to turn your garden into the perfect place to host a barbecue party with friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you revamp your garden, keep reading to find out what this year\u2019s top summer garden trends are. On a budget? Don\u2019t stress, we have you covered with a range of different options, from DIY friendly, budget garden features to higher-end options too. And when you\u2019re ready to get started, simply post a job and speak to a skilled tradesperson in your local area.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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1. Fire pits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Human beings have been gathering around fires for hundreds of thousands of years. It’s no surprise then that with over 701.8 million views on TikTok, fire pits are as popular as ever. Clearly, homeowners want a simple way to keep the BBQ festivities going after the sun has gone down. And what better way to do that than with a cosy outdoor fire pit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a fire pit, you can\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Keep warm.<\/strong> Let\u2019s face it, we live in the UK. This means even summer evenings can get chilly. An outdoor heater is a great way to make your garden accessible all year round. Add comfy seating and use your outdoor fire pit as a warm, after-hours spot, so you can keep the party going long into the night!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Cook. <\/strong>Why not kill two birds with one stone? By getting a fire pit with integrated grill features, you can do your cooking and grilling all in one place. And if you don\u2019t need it for a BBQ day, they\u2019re still great fun for roasting marshmallows\u2026<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Entertain.<\/strong> Garden fire pits are great for hosting outdoor movie nights and dinner parties. Place a table nearby (or get a fire pit table that combines the two together) to put down all the food and plates, then gather your guests around the fire. Want to watch a film under the stars whilst keeping warm by your fire pit? All you need is a projector and you\u2019ll be good to go!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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    Fire pits are great at creating a calm and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for hosting gatherings. However, which you end up getting will depend on your personal preferences and your budget. To help you decide, we\u2019ve put together a handy table using the top criteria for fire pits:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Fire pit type<\/strong><\/td>Affordable<\/td>Easy to use<\/td>Easy to clean<\/td>Easy to move<\/td>Good heat output<\/td><\/tr>
    Wood-burning<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2716<\/td>\u2716<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
    Gas<\/td>\u2716<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2716<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr>
    Gel Fuel<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2716<\/td><\/tr>
    Electric<\/td>\u2716<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2716<\/td><\/tr>
    Portable<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td>\u2714<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Generally, wood-burning fire pits and gel fuel fire pits are cheaper to buy up-front since you don\u2019t have to spend extra money on electrical installation costs. However, you will then have to account for the cost of fuel, since you\u2019ll have to periodically have to buy wood or fuel canisters for your pit. You might want to check out log stores and online websites to get a sense of prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    On the other hand, electric and gas fire pits cost more to have installed, and often require a professional since you\u2019ll need a gas line connection or other electrical components. If you do need the help of an expert, speak to a skilled electrician or gas heating engineer to get started!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    FIND AN ELECTRICIAN<\/font><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    FIND A HEATING ENGINEER<\/font><\/a><\/center><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    How do you build a fire pit on a budget?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re on a budget and don\u2019t want to buy an outdoor fire pit, why not make your own? A basic fire pit is relatively easy and cheap to make, and could be a fun weekend project to get stuck into before summer begins! You’ll need clay bricks (which cost less than \u00a32 each!) and some cement, as well as a few other things. Are you going to make a round fire pit or a square fire pit?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    2. Outdoor kitchens<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Simply put, few things offer a ‘wow factor’ like outdoor kitchens do. Imagine hosting a BBQ in your garden this summer, and having all the kitchen supplies you need right there and ready to use…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    According to our data, outdoor cooking areas are a top 20 home improvement homeowners are planning on spending money on this year! No wonder they’re so popular on TikTok, where they’ve been viewed over 285.8 million times.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Outdoor kitchens are definitely one of this year’s top trends, and are great if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n