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Do: Pick the Perfect Spot

Choosing the right spot can truly set the tone for your picnic. Look for a location that balances beauty, comfort, and practicality. A shady grove beneath a tall tree can offer respite from the sun while providing a serene backdrop.

On the other hand, a lakeside stretch or a meadow filled with wildflowers can add to the charm and ambience. Don’t forget to scout for amenities like restrooms or trash bins nearby, especially if you’re planning a longer stay.

Don’t: Forget Comfortable Seating

It’s easy to overlook seating arrangements during the excitement of packing for a picnic, but nothing dampens the mood faster than an uncomfortable or soggy seat. For an added touch of comfort, consider portable chairs or cushions, especially if the picnic will extend over several hours. You might want to avoid sitting directly on damp grass or uneven ground, as it can lead to discomfort and even a little chill.

Do: Pack Easy-To-Eat Items

When it comes to picnic fare, simplicity is key. Finger foods like sandwiches, wraps, fresh fruits, and cut vegetables are crowd favorites for a reason—they’re tasty, portable, and mess-free. Opt for items that won’t spoil quickly, and consider using reusable or compostable containers to make cleanup a breeze.

Bite-sized treats, like cookies or small pastries, are perfect for dessert and add a touch of sweetness without any hassle.

Make sure you pre-prep everything so you can spend more time enjoying the moment and less time fussing with food.

Don’t: Forget Hydration

When prepping all the fun finger food, it’s not uncommon to forget hydration! Consider bringing reusable water bottles or a large insulated dispenser filled with ice-cold water for easy sharing. If plain water feels a little too ordinary, jazz it up with slices of citrus, berries, or cucumbers.

Don’t overlook other thirst-quenching favorites like iced tea, lemonade, or sparkling water. However, avoid sugary drinks that can dehydrate rather than hydrate.

Do: Bring Proper Picnic Gear

No one wants to fumble with a flimsy paper plate or drink warm lemonade. Bringing the right gear can make all the difference between a smooth, enjoyable outing and a frustrating one. Start with a wool blanket to combat splashes and stains—preferably one with a waterproof backing to ward off damp grass or unexpected spills.

Utensils may be easy to forget in the scramble, but they’re essential—think reusable cutlery, a durable set of plates, and unbreakable cups or tumblers.

Don’t forget essentials like a corkscrew or bottle opener, a cutting board for impromptu cheese platters, and napkins or reusable wipes.

With these simple yet essential dos and don’ts for the perfect picnic, you’re ready to create an outdoor adventure filled with laughter, delicious bites, and serene moments under the open sky. So grab your basket, gather your favorite people, and savor the beauty of nature!

The post The Dos and Don’ts for the Perfect Picnic first appeared on Katie T's Home.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read the full disclosure for more information.

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Updated: March 6, 2024

I also ask that you please leave your thoughts in the comment section below. I’m always trying to produce helpful content for my readers, and without knowing what you think, it’s hard to know what you find helpful/not helpful. So please leave your thoughts below!!  

Katie T’s Farmhouse Home Fun Fact #20

Fun fact time! This is a new section I’m including on my blog posts so my readers can get to know me on a personal level!

So, for my 20th fun fact, I want to share that my dream is to have a large garden that would allow me to live off of the land.

I currently rent the house I’m living in, so it doesn’t make sense to invest a ton of time and energy into it now, but when my husband and I are in our forever home that will change!!

The Unique Outdoor Potting Station Idea

Okay, this cart was more than just an outdoor bar cart. Originally it was built to be an outdoor tool cart! My Pepérè was a carpenter and built this cart to wheel around tools like shovels, gardening tools, etc.

Over time it was a lower-priority item to take care of. So, unfortunately, time and weather took its toll on the cart. Luckily for me (and the cart), I recreated it into an outdoor bar cart for my wedding celebration! I have photos of what it looked like in the post here.

Since my wedding celebration, the cart has not been used. I wanted to do something with it and give it a purpose.

So, now that the weather is warm, I decided it would be a great potting station!

Unique Potting Table: The Station

The typical potting bench is what it sounds like, a stationary table with space to repot plants. My potting station is unique because it has wheels and can move!

I have to say, it is a nice feature because it allows me to move the bench wherever I want.

There is an open section in the back half of the cart. When I had it as a bar cart, that was where the coolers went. Luckily for me, it fits storage bins perfectly!

I planted some veggies and fruit in the storage bins. The cart is convenient because I have the benefits of a potting station and a raised garden bed combined! No more critters eating my plants!

However, if I’d plant in the cart again, I’d give the veggies more room.

I unfortunately overcrowded them, so the peppers never had a chance to grow. The cherry tomatoes did great though!

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Outdoor Potting Station Arched Trellis

I recently bought a grapevine, which needs structural support to climb. Originally, I had it on the ground, but unfortunately, it was dinner for one of the animals. Thankfully, it started to grow back but this emphasized the importance of having it off the ground.

I wanted to make this project as budget-friendly as possible, so I made an arched trellis in the back of the potting bench for the grapevine.

I think for my first time doing something like this, it came out pretty good. I’m considering adding a top piece to the arch, but I haven’t decided yet.

What do you think? Comment below if I should keep the trellis as is or add a piece to the top to make it look like a roof.

Potting Station Essentials

If you have a potting station, you need the essentials! Whether it’s gardening tools, bag, gloves, watering can, or even the plants themselves!

I also have this large bucket to mix soil in. I typically keep it upside down so rain doesn’t get in. Plus, it provides another surface to put things on when I’m not mixing the soil.

Unique Outdoor Potting Station Idea for Gardening and Entertaining

So, there you have it! My unique outdoor potting station idea! Again, comment below if you think I should add the top part to the trellis or not. Thanks!

The post Unique Outdoor Potting Station Idea for Gardening and Entertaining first appeared on Katie T's Home.

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Have a Clean Porch Area

I am so thankful to have a husband who regularly cleans our porch! This makes a huge difference in the home entryway. If your outdoor home entrance is not clean, it will take away from your beautiful decorations!

Add a Mat to Your Front Door

Add a cute mat if you want your front entryway to look inviting! I put mine on this black and white plaid carpet to give the mat a fuller look.

THEODORE MAGNUS Natural Coir Doormat with Non-Slip Backing – 17 x 30 – Outdoor…

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LILI REY 28″x44″ Premium Black and White Checkered Rug, Buffalo Plaid Outdoor Rug, Front Porch…

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If you decide to go in this direction, I highly recommend adding a nonslip rug underneath. The plaid carpet is very slippery on its own. The last thing you want is your guests falling.

Greenery to Upgrade the Curb Appeal

Add some plants to your entrance décor! Be mindful of the amount of sun that your porch gets as well. I bought this vine hydrangea because it can take the sun and shade, which is perfect for my home entryway.

I will eventually plant the hydrangea, but for now, it looks pretty on both sides of the door.

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Add a Sign to the Front Entryway

I bought this sign at Michaels, and I love it so much! I’ve had to move it around a few times to see where I like it the most, but I think it makes the most impact here.

Life Is Better On The Porch Framed Wood Farmhouse Wall Sign (9×18)

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Heart Carpenter Welcome Sign Home Decor Front Door Round Wood Sign Hanging Welcome Sign for Farmhouse porch Wall Pediments…

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Décor on the Front Door

Add some décor to the door! Whether it’s a seasonal wreath or even curtains on the inside. Get creative and make it fit your home décor style.

Deconovo Embroidered Sheer Curtains 84 Inches Long, Rod Pocket Floral White…

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Pinkpum Wreaths for Front Door 20” Eucalyptus Wreath, Spring Summer…

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Additional Entryway Décor to Fill the Void

The second to last tip for your outdoor home entrance décor is to fill the void. I used a watering can, the lantern, and the planters, but the sky’s the limit on what you can do.

Pure Garden Lattice Design Planter Box 2-Pack – 14.75-Inch Decorative Outdoor…

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Watering Can for Indoor Plants, Flower Outdoor House Plants Garden Flower…

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The Smell of Your Home

The final tip in the 7 outdoor home entrance décor tips and tricks is to consider the smell of your home when you first walk in. This will help the feeling of the outdoor entrance décor resonate with your guests.

If you have a home that smells good, like freshly baked cookies or a scented candle, the happiness from the entrance décor will last throughout your journey.

7 Home Entrance Decor Tips and Tricks

I hope you found this post helpful! You can read additional information on how to make your porch feel cozy here. Comment below if you have any other ideas beyond the 7 outdoor home entrance décor tips and tricks in this post. Thanks!

The post 7 Outdoor Home Entrance Décor Tips and Tricks first appeared on Katie T's Home.