copyright 2021 Art of Living, Prima Media Inc/Maria Liberati
Hosting outdoor parties is one of the most fun ways to spend summer nights. But creating the perfect setting for a dinner party takes consideration. Starting with these tips can help you transform your outdoor space into a perfect party location.
Get the Right Furniture
One of the most important ways to ensure that your backyard is a great place for dinner parties is to get the right furniture. As you think about the dinner parties you anticipate throwing, ask yourself if you would prefer to be equipped to host large or medium-sized groups. If you want to host smaller groups, Unilock recommends that you lean towards more comfortable outdoor sectionals and furniture that facilitate intimate conversations. If you plan to have large groups, you might want to purchase a couple different temporary plastic tables with plastic chairs to put up and take down for each party. In general, color, style, and function should be considered.
Set the Mood
While having the right furniture for your type of entertaining is important, it’s also important to set the mood. If you don’t enjoy your outdoor setting, it’s unlikely you or your guests are going to want to hang out there for any space of time anyway. There are a variety of ways you can amp up your backyard’s entertaining potential. According to Emerald Green Lawncare, a fireplace or pit creates an ambiance in your backyard for night gatherings and gives you a more central location for your guests to gather around to chat. You can also add to the mood with music, scents, and decorative foliage.
Install Fun Lighting
In addition to setting the mood, it’s important to choose the right kind of lighting for your outdoor deck area. Making sure you have interesting lighting will help this outdoor space be great for entertaining well into the night—some of the prime time for hanging out with friends and family. Depending on how your yard is currently set up, The Pioneer Woman recommends adding bistro lights, which add a soft glow and bring ambience to any yard. Other options include flickering flameless candles, solar deck lights, and even floating pool lights!
As you work to create the perfect backyard entertaining space, don’t stress yourself out too much. Ultimately, if you have the right people, you’ll have a great party. And making even a few small changes to your outdoor space will add enough new interest to make your friends want to return again and again for a party.
Read this next: How to Make a Bright Summer Corn Dip
For more recipes get your copy of the Gourmand World Award Winning book The Basic Art of Italian Cooking: Holidays and Special Occasions-2nd editions
