Seeing as how the weather is still pleasant in most places across the US, you have a few more weeks to enjoy some outdoor picnics and make the most of the weather and your beautiful patio.

You can plan and set up your own picnic quite easily, using a few staples and must-have patio picnic essentials. Get your hands on the following, and you can plan the best picnic in your own backyard:

A patio picnic table and stools or chairs

There’s no picnic without a picnic table, stools or chairs! You absolutely need some great patio furniture to ensure that you have a comfortable place to sit, eat, and relax, or even just to serve food. They have complete sets with tables and seating options included, and they offer standalone tables and single chairs, depending on what you need. If you already have a patio, there’s no harm in investing in some great quality patio furniture that you can use for several years, and there’s nothing better than PatioHQ’s poly-lumber furniture, which is made of recycled plastic.

Patio picnic tables and chairs are a great long-term investment because they’re going to last you for several years, and you will definitely get a lot of use out of them, even on regular days.

Plates, utensils, and other sturdy cutlery

In addition to having the right furniture, you should also have the right cutlery and utensils for eating and drinking. If the picnic is in your own backyard, you can just use everyday items, but you can also get reusable picnic utensils. This includes plates, forks, spoons, knives, and cups as your most basic items, and they’re a good way to keep your porcelain or glass items safe. Clean up everything you have and place it outside on your table, so it’s ready for use.

A white, 4-seat patio picnic table with matching stools

A selection of delicious snacks and food

Of course, what’s a picnic without your favorite food, snacks, and munchables? There are so many different options for great picnic food that you can serve on your favorite patio table, including potato chips, sandwiches, diced or sliced fruit, salads, and so much more. Additionally, a great way to enjoy the outdoors is with a BBQ, so you can also grill burger patties, hotdogs, and other yummy foods to serve up at your picnic.

A great tip is to serve food and snack options based on the season or weather, such as pies or turkey sandwiches in fall, watermelon salads and BBQ in the summer, cheese and grazing boards in spring, and warm food like stews in winter.

Some drinks to keep you cool–or warm

And speaking of seasons, you also want to have drinks that complement the weather. So that means serving cool drinks to keep you cool in the summer and warm drinks to keep you toasty in the fall and winter. You can’t have a picnic without some delicious drinks like lemonade, iced teas, mojitos, beer, or even wine and champagne if you’re feeling a little fancy. Serve your drinks on a small round patio table such as this for easier access and elevation and to make it easier to pour your own drink during the day.

Portable speakers for some great music

Lastly, another great use of your picnic patio table is for music. Place a portable speaker on your patio table or even stool, and play your favorite tunes and songs in the background for some fun. You definitely need some entertainment options, and portable speakers are the easiest, most convenient one–plus, they can easily be placed on your patio furniture.

PatioHQ has some of the most well-designed, aesthetic, and functional patio furniture for homeowners. You can invest in patio seats, lounge chairs, dining tables, and complete furniture sets that are ideal for your outdoor spaces. Visit their website to view their special range of patio furniture today.

About the Author

Felicity G. is a home decorator and designer with extensive experience in outdoor spaces and home exteriors. She shares tips, advice, and ideas that many homeowners can try on their own and helps them upgrade their homes on a budget.