Ideas for outdoor entertaining: Your 10-Step Guide
There’s nothing better than entertaining outdoors. Being able to host your family and friends in the sunshine is a good way to make the most of the weather, and it gives you a chance to show off your beautiful backyard space. In this article, ideas for outdoor entertaining is there for you.
There’s something feel-good about entertaining outdoors. Being outside puts everyone in a great mood, plus you’ve got the option of cooking up a storm on the grill. Throw in some good music, and you have the foundations for an entertaining party to remember.
It’s normal to find hosting stressful – there’s a lot to do to make sure your guests have a good time. But whether it’s your first bash or your 100th, there’s always something new you can learn to make hosting a little easier.
Take a look at your 10-step guide to successful outdoor entertaining and start planning your next get together.
1. Clear up your backyard
Before you start planning a sunshine soirée, you need to make sure your backyard is ready for guests. Keeping your outdoor space neat and organized takes time and regular maintenance, so if you haven’t stayed on top of the garden chores, be prepared to work hard to get your space back in shape. There are some easy tips you can follow to clean up your yard to make it guest-friendly.
A clear up of your backyard is also a good time to identify any areas in need of repairs or extra work, to spot pests and other problems that need resolving as soon as possible. Take care of the things on your list so that you can host knowing your outdoor space is in the best shape it can be.
2. Get your space ready for entertaining
Now comes the fun part! Here’s where you get to make your backyard the perfect entertainment spot. If there’s something holding you back from making the most of your yard right now, then it’s time to make some changes.
Create different zones
When it comes to designing the perfect outdoor space, you should try embracing the art of garden zoning. This helps you make the most out of your space and create different areas that can be used for dining, relaxing, play and more.
Consider where different areas hit the sun during the day to help inform your decision. Different flooring options such as turf, patio tiles and decking can help you separate your different garden zones.
Creating zones in your garden will give you the chance to get creative with your styling. Take a look at some unique garden design ideas to give you inspiration for your own.
Add some shelter
There are a lot of great reasons to add a sheltered space to your backyard. You’ll be able to provide some shade from the sun when it’s at its hottest, and you’ll be able to keep yourself and your guests dry in the rain, too. Some shelter, like a pergola, can also give you somewhere to add some lighting to help you make the most of your setup after dark.
Impress with your own outdoor bar or kitchen
If you really want to impress with your backyard, why not build an outdoor bar or kitchen? You’ll find a lot of amazing outdoor kitchen ideas to give you some ideas. While you might think this idea is an expensive one, you could actually go down the DIY route and enjoy building something incredible yourself as a fun home project.
Invest in a hot tub for extra fun
A hot tub is another fun investment for your garden, and you can be sure you’ll get a lot of use out of it! They’re more affordable than ever, and could be the perfect item to complete your outdoor space.
3. Make sure you have enough seating
If you want to create an inviting and relaxed atmosphere, you’re going to need plenty of outdoor seating. Modern outdoor furniture is beautiful, bringing the inside, outside, so that you can really embrace the spirit of outdoor living.
You’ll want to choose a variety of seating, including couches, loungers and dining seating. Comfy cushions will make the perfect addition and are available in a lot of colors to help you find ones that fit in with your theme. Get tips from an outdoor cushion buying guide to help you choose the best cushions for your furniture. They’re designed to be water-resistant, so you won’t have to worry about them getting ruined due to a shower or two.
4. Prepare for all weather
Speaking of showers, a bit of rain shouldn’t have to spoil your fun. Being prepared for all weather will make sure your guests have a great time no matter what. If you can’t continue with the shelter you have available, have a plan B to move the party inside if you need to.
But it’s not just rain you need to prepare for, as too much sun can be a problem too. Provide plenty of cover for your guests, including umbrellas, while having plenty of water and ice available can help keep your guests cool when things heat up.
If things take a chilly turn, it will help to have some blankets to hand that your guests can cuddle up under and enjoy. A patio heater or a fire pit is also a great investment to help you enjoy your garden if the air gets colder.
5. Create the perfect summer menu
Tasty food is a must for any party, and if you’re going to be hosting outdoors, you’ve got a lot of delicious choices to impress your guests with. You could do a cook-out and serve up burgers and hot dogs on the grill, or you could get a pizza oven and serve up some firewood pizzas.
There are also some easy summer party food ideas you can make in under 30 minutes, giving you plenty of ideas for finger foods that your guests can snack on throughout the day.
6. Get ready with some games
While some parties will get going on their own, you can’t beat a good party game! Check out some DIY backyard party games that people of all ages can get involved in. Games make good icebreakers and can help everyone get to know each other better, ready to make the most of the party.
7. Keep your guests safe
You want your guests to have a great time, so it’s important that you keep them as safe as you can. Make sure you have plenty of sunblock to hand to help people prevent sunburn, especially any kids who are at the party. You should also make sure that there is enough water to keep everyone hydrated, especially if they’re going to be drinking alcohol too.
If you have a pool, make sure you stay sober and responsible so that you can help in the event of an accident. Someone needs to be responsible on the day to make sure all of your guests stay safe, and your home stays intact too.
8. Be organized to make planning easier
Planning any party can be a lot of work, but you can make it easier on yourself by getting organized in advance. Put a date in the calendar and work backwards to plan out everything you need to do. If there is food you can make in advance and freeze, do it when you’ve got some free time to save you a job later on.
9. Respect your neighbors (or invite them along!)
Parties only happen once in a while, but you’re going to be living in your neighborhood for a long time. With that in mind, give some thought to your neighbors when you’re planning a party. Try to give them some advance warning if you can, and consider inviting them if it’s not an intimate occasion!
Keep the noise down, especially after dark, and make sure your guests park their cars sensibly. You don’t want to have a visit from the police spoiling your fun! If a neighbor comes over to complain, be polite and reasonable – most disputes can be solved with an apology and a promise to limit the disturbance.
Being a good neighbor means being considerate and respectful, so try your best to have your fun without ruining theirs.
10. Remember to enjoy it!
When you’re hosting a party, you can focus so much on making sure your guests have a good time that you forget to have fun yourself. And what’s fun about throwing a party if you’re not going to enjoy it?
Prepare as much as you can, and try to share hosting responsibilities with other members of your household. You’ll probably be nervous at the beginning, but you’ll soon relax when you realize that everyone is having a great time!
An outdoor party is an incredible way to spend time with your friends and family. Not only will you get the chance to make the most of your stylish outdoor space, but you’ll get to show people that you really know how to throw a party too! Follow the steps above to help you plan a successful event that will make people start a countdown for the next one!
