1. Keep the bugs away. There is nothing worse than mosquitoes or black flies forcing you to take your party inside. This cute patio lantern repels bugs in a 15X15 area. It’s noise free, portable and there is no open flame so it can be left unattended.

2. Add some cool lighting. A lot of deck entertaining is done at night so it’s essential to have proper lighting. Save energy by using solar lighting to light your deck. Check out these great solar tiki torch lights. They charge in the sun and last 8-10 hours from one day’s sunlight.

3. Keep your deck in good shape. A freshly cleaned and stained deck is far more inviting for your guests than a gray, dull deck. More importantly, staining and sealing your deck each year will prolong its life and save you money in the long run as you won’t have to replace or repair your deck as often.

4. Upgrade your deck furniture. You want your guests to be comfortable. Too often our outdoor furniture is uncomfortable because it has to be weather resistant. Consider a comfy outdoor sofa or loveseat for your deck. Outdoor furniture tends to be expensive, but you can find some great deals online if you shop around a bit.

5. Enjoy your music outdoors. Good entertaining goes hand in hand with good music. Bring your music outdoors with this indoor/outdoor wireless speaker system from Brookstone. It hooks right up to your MP3 player for easy access to your favorite tunes.

6. Check your grill. Summer entertaining always involves grilling up something yummy. Keeping the house cool by cooking outdoors is a good idea, guests or not. Given the grill is a staple throughout the summer; it may be worth investing in a new or upgraded one. Good Housekeeping has put together a wonderful review of grills ranging from $100 to $1,000.

7. Don’t forget the flowers! Nothing makes your deck look more beautiful than some pretty deck flower boxes or pots. If you have limited space on your deck, purchase some flower boxes to keep them off the deck floor. SimplyPlanters.com has a great selection of railing and deck planter boxes to choose from.

Karen Lawes is owner of CostOwl.com, a site dedicated to providing cost information on a variety of purchases, focusing on home improvement topics.