Food seems to taste better outdoors, and fresh air and nature make many of us happy. If you agree, you may want to turn your outdoor living space into an entertainment hub, where you can share wonderful food and appreciate nature with friends in York and State College, PA.

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1. A Fire Table

Fire brings people together almost magically. When you combine fire and food, you have the winning combination. Fire tables marry the joys of sharing a meal with friends, with the wonder of a dynamic centerpiece of flames. Fire tables are similar to fire pits in that they can accommodate a fairly large group around them. However, they feature a much broader capstone where you can easily fit a full place setting and beverages.

Fire tables can be virtually any height, from fire pit height to bar height—in fact, if your patio space is small, a fire table can do double duty as a fire feature and dining table. They are fueled by gas to prevent smoke getting in people’s eyes, and the use of gas (natural gas or propane) enables you to place a fire table conveniently and safely within a shelter structure such as a pergola or pavilion.

2. A Shelter Structure

Unless you want your gatherings to be at the mercy of the weather, a shelter structure is a must. If your outdoor entertaining season coincides with the dog days of summer, you could opt for a pergola, which will offer protection from the hot summer sun. The open rafters allow for plenty of air circulation, which can make an outdoor kitchen much more pleasant on a hot day.

If you want to extend your outdoor entertaining season into the cooler months, you could opt for a pavilion. Like a pergola, a pavilion features open sides. However, it has a solid roof, which will shelter the space from rain and even snow.

Size restrictions are rarely an issue for permanent outdoor structures. A larger pergola or pavilion could shelter an outdoor kitchen and dining space, as well as a lounge area. Add a fire table within its perimeter if you have the space. If your shelter structure is smaller, you could install an outdoor fireplace along one side for a cozy living room feel that still offers plenty of space within the structure.

3. A Water Feature

To block out the sounds of the outside world—and beautify your outdoor living space—look no further than a water feature. Whether it’s a small bubbling water fountain or a majestic faux waterfall, the sounds of water provide a soothing atmosphere and white noise that can cancel out traffic and other annoying sounds.

Water features can be any size, to fit any space. If you’re really short on space, you could install a water wall that allows water to cascade down a vertical surface to a catch pond below: This structure could even double as a privacy screen.

4. Zoned Lighting and Audio

Expecting a single speaker or two to provide the right volume for your entire outdoor entertaining space is like expecting a single light bulb to perfectly illuminate the entire backyard. A better approach for outdoor lighting and audio is to take a zoned approach where multiple speakers and specifically designed light fixtures are placed strategically throughout the landscape to give each zone the perfect ambience—enough lighting for the job, and sound that is neither too quiet nor too loud.

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