Party-Ready Outdoor Spaces
Set the Scene
No matter how small your outdoor space — hard to believe but this is actually a carport — make it pop with paper lanterns, table linens and fresh flowers in look-at-me shades. Set up a beverage station so guests can help themselves and add cushions or pillows to chairs; comfortable furniture will invite guests to sit a spell. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn
Bring the Indoors Out
No patio furniture? No worries! Weather permitting, bring your dining table, chairs, china, glasses and utensils outdoors to turn your fête into a fine-dining experience. Guests will appreciate the extra effort and your carefully-prepared meal will look (and taste) much better served on china instead of a flimsy, disposable plate. Design by One Charming Party; photography by Nicole Hill Gerulat
Freshen Up Tired Surfaces
Turn a worn deck into a colorful outdoor room with a few coats of paint and coordinating draperies made from weather-resistant fabric. To ensure a lasting painted finish, first sand the deck to create a smooth surface then coat with exterior deck or porch paint which is specifically formulated to withstand foot traffic and weather. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn.
Pick a Palette
The same rule of three (main colors, that is) that applies to selecting an indoor color scheme also works when planning an outdoor party. Choose three main colors to create a theme then carry those colors throughout with accessories like napkins, plates, place cards, paper pom-poms, pennants or balloons. Design by Kim Stoegbauer.
Construct a DIY Buffet in a Snap
If you’re short on surfaces for serving guests, try this designers’ go-to trick: lay a hollow-core door or thick piece of plywood over evenly-spaced sawhorses, cover with fabric and voila — a beautiful buffet table with plenty of serving space that can be broken down again and stored when the party’s over. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn.
Make a Splash
Pool parties are a great way to cool off on a hot day, but ensuring that everyone enjoys themselves without overdoing it can require a bit of planning ahead. Guests may forget to bring pool necessities like a towel, sunscreen, goggles and ear plugs, so it’s best to have several on hand along with plenty of iced beverages so partygoers don’t become dehydrated from too much fun in the sun. Image courtesy of Oxford Garden.
Salad on the Fly
Designer Jamie Durie created this outdoor dining room for a California couple who were eager to combine two passions: gardening and entertaining. A pergola provides shade and gives this outdoor space a secluded feel while a wall covered in edible-plant-filled pouches puts fresh veggies within easy reach so guests can help themselves.
Set Up a Favors Table
Thank guests for coming and send them off with a souvenir by stocking a fabric-covered outdoor table with an assortment of small gifts and sweets. Place the table near the backyard’s exit so guests will be sure to grab a keepsake as they leave. Design by Manvi Drona Hidalgo.
By H. Camille Smith
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