Feeling ready for summer?
Summer is a great time of year to gather together friends and family members, whether it is for a summer barbecue or drinks party – or both! The season also spoils us with long sunny evenings sat in the garden and, for those with families, it can provide hours of fun for the kids.
We may not be guaranteed endless hours of sun here in Northern Ireland, but when it does decide to make an appearance, the great outdoors is the spot for many of us. With warmer days ahead (here’s hoping), here’s five items that should be in every home come summertime.
5 Great Household Items for Summer
1) Lawnmower
It’s easy to neglect an overgrown lawn during the duller parts of the year but come summer, a trimmed lawn is crucial and necessitates a reliable lawnmower that will last for years to come. From petrol, to electrical to battery, there is plenty to choose from when it comes to mowers. Just be sure you invest in a mower that is right for your needs and will stand the test of time.
If you have a small garden then an electric mower is probably a nice fit, but if you’ve a larger garden, you’ll need to invest in a more durable mower, possibly even a ride-on, to ensure you can cut your grass and have time to enjoy it all at the same time.
2) Ice-cream Maker
Summer is all about injecting a bit of fun into your household and an ice-cream maker is bound to get everyone excited. It might seem indulgent but most ice-cream models are in fact reasonably priced, including those from Kenwood, Magimix and Andrew James. Plus, it is hard to resist homemade ice-cream on demand, right?!
3) Music Speakers
A speaker system is the ultimate household item when doing any sort of hosting, and will provide excellent sound for any alfresco dining or when doing chores in the garden during summer. Sonos or Bose speaker systems are known for providing great quality sound and connect to your phone device so you can control music from any part of your home. You can find a great guide on recommended speaker systems here.
4) Barbecue
No summer is quite complete without a BBQ and if you are not yet the owner of a barbecue then it is important to choose the right one for your home. You can either choose a gas or charcoal barbecue and many will argue a good case for both. One advantage of having a charcoal barbecue is the authentic taste that comes from burning your food on a charcoal grill, however, a gas barbecue is known for being easier and quicker to cook with. To help you decide which barbecue is right for you visit Which.co.uk.
5) Garden Hose
A garden hose will keep any beloved flowers or plants from withering over summer and is especially useful for larger gardens, where hauling watering cans from one corner of the garden to another is really not ideal. What’s more, a garden hose will double as a great tool for filling up the paddling pool and turning the garden into a mini water park on a hot summer’s day.
What’s Your Must Have Summer Appliance?
Have we missed your favourite summer appliance, whether it’s for the home or garden? Let us know your must have summer appliance and share your tips for living smarter during the summer over on our Facebook and Twitter page using #SmarterLiving, and we’ll share the best ones.