Here are our picks for grilling gadgets, functional wares, and weatherproof décor items that will get your outdoor space in tip-top condition for a season of alfresco entertaining.

Bar on wheels

Roll West Elm’s retro Jardine Bar Cart out at your next patio party and you will become the instant centre of attention. Or just tuck it into the corner of your pint-sized Vancouver condo balcony and rotate the decorations and drink options: vintage spritzers, conch shells, Champagne on ice, votive candles, Mexican glass, potted flowers, neatly rolled linen napkins… We love this compact, practical number crafted from sustainably harvested, weather-resistant tropical hardwood that looks weathered but chic. It’s on sale for $239 (regular $299) at 2947 Granville Street or online.

> Janet Smith

Punchy pillow

Add a vibrant punch to your outdoor décor with Pottery Barn’s (2600 Granville Street) embroidered pillows ($80.50). The whimsical cushions are adorned with stitchings of some of your favourite childhood animals—deer, peacocks, wolves—and drenched in bright hues like fuchsia and kelly green. The water-resistant fabric is perfect for Vancouver’s unpredictable forecasts and resists fading and stubborn stains.

> Lucy Lau

Handy roaster

Barbecue season will soon be in full swing. And if drumsticks are on your must-grill list, try Outset’s chicken drumstick roaster ($25) that will take away the hassle of constantly flipping your meat. The nonstick contraption can roast up to 16 drumsticks at once. Use it in the oven once the weather cools down. Find it at Chapters Indigo stores or online.

> Tammy Kwan

Cooling bucket

What’s worse than not having a drink in hand under the summer sun? Having to down a warm can of soda or glass of wine. Keep your beverages cool with OXO’s steel ice and wine bucket, which comes with a pair of tongs, on sale for $55.98 (regular $69.98). The ice bucket has an insulated double wall that can maintain ice-cold temperatures, while a grid at the bottom of the bucket separates melted ice from the solid cubes. Its stainless-steel exterior coupled with the matching pair of tongs will blend in easily with your other patio-perfect décor. The clear and flip-top lid opens and closes easily. Find it at select Ming Wo store locations or online.

> Tammy Kwan

Chic shade

Outdoor umbrellas get a much-needed update with CB2’s (1277 Robson Street) high-contrast Eclipse umbrella shade (on sale for $67). The chic screen breaks all the rules of your typical outdoor shelter, trading in a solid colour for a black-and-white stripe and the rounded shape for an out-of-the-box square. The curved frame can be easily adjusted to various heights and angles, so you can hang alfresco from early morning to sunset in comfort. Just try not to stare at the hypnotic pattern for too long, or you may find yourself spending a little more time outside than needed.

> Lucy Lau

Grill helper

We’ve all had it happen: you’re happily barbecuing away, and then when it comes time to lift the turkey burger or salmon fillet off the grill, it falls apart. Now aspiring Bobby Flays can try out Cookina’s Barbecue Reusable Grilling Sheet, which basically turns your grill into a nonstick surface—it’s no waste, and you’ll still get those essential grill marks. Just set a sheet from the black roll across the cooking area and place food on the sheet. Then wash the sheet and reuse it. Find it for $14.99 at select Canadian Tire, Home Depot, and RONA stores.

> Janet Smith