Outdoor Entertaining: Style Your Space for a Gorgeous Garden Party
Turn your patio into the ideal party spot with our 10 simple ideas
You’ve bought the beers, mowed the lawn and set out some chairs ready for your guests. But something’s missing…
If your garden is lacking in party atmosphere, all is not lost. Armed with simple lighting techniques, a layout plan and some colourful decorations, you can make your outdoor space fit for a celebration in just a couple of hours. These quick and easy ideas will give your party the extra pizzazz you’ve been seeking.
If your garden is lacking in party atmosphere, all is not lost. Armed with simple lighting techniques, a layout plan and some colourful decorations, you can make your outdoor space fit for a celebration in just a couple of hours. These quick and easy ideas will give your party the extra pizzazz you’ve been seeking.
Light the way
If you’re hosting an evening affair, lighting is important. Strike the right balance between light and dark by stringing up multiple, smaller bulbs rather than large lamps. They will spread a soft and – crucially – flattering glow around the garden.
See ways to light your patio
If you’re hosting an evening affair, lighting is important. Strike the right balance between light and dark by stringing up multiple, smaller bulbs rather than large lamps. They will spread a soft and – crucially – flattering glow around the garden.
See ways to light your patio
Create a cool box
When the fridge reaches full capacity, a wooden crate makes a stylish alternative to a bucket for keeping drinks cold. Line yours with a generous sheet of plastic to keep the ice from soaking through the wood as it melts, then stock it up with bottles and cans.
When the fridge reaches full capacity, a wooden crate makes a stylish alternative to a bucket for keeping drinks cold. Line yours with a generous sheet of plastic to keep the ice from soaking through the wood as it melts, then stock it up with bottles and cans.
Colour match
Coordinate the colours of your lights and decorations to create a stylish space. The sprayed top to this table looks great with the hanging paper lanterns and fairy lights, and even matches the exterior of the house.
Coordinate the colours of your lights and decorations to create a stylish space. The sprayed top to this table looks great with the hanging paper lanterns and fairy lights, and even matches the exterior of the house.
Stay hydrated
On hot summer evenings, it’s especially important to top up with water between alcoholic drinks. Pop some slices of lemon and lime in a water dispenser for a tasty – and attractive – thirst quencher.
On hot summer evenings, it’s especially important to top up with water between alcoholic drinks. Pop some slices of lemon and lime in a water dispenser for a tasty – and attractive – thirst quencher.
Work in a cosy spot
Quiet corners like this one let guests escape from the buzz of your party and enjoy some down time. The cushions, soft lighting and bunting make this chill-out spot incredibly inviting.
Check out quick-fixes to pretty up your garden
Quiet corners like this one let guests escape from the buzz of your party and enjoy some down time. The cushions, soft lighting and bunting make this chill-out spot incredibly inviting.
Check out quick-fixes to pretty up your garden
Get creative
Decorate your garden with home-made candle holders for a low-budget lighting solution. For a speedy DIY party idea, simply curl large leaves inside some old jars then fill with water and float tea lights on top, as in this picture.
Decorate your garden with home-made candle holders for a low-budget lighting solution. For a speedy DIY party idea, simply curl large leaves inside some old jars then fill with water and float tea lights on top, as in this picture.
Set the scene
Decide what you’d like your event to be – barbecue, sit-down meal, house party – and decorate accordingly. The hand-drawn menu, lantern-lit steps and tablecloth really set the tone for this cosy dinner party.
Decide what you’d like your event to be – barbecue, sit-down meal, house party – and decorate accordingly. The hand-drawn menu, lantern-lit steps and tablecloth really set the tone for this cosy dinner party.
Show off your best side
If you’re serving dinner, go all out on the table arrangements. A strong colour palette and a couple of centrepieces don’t take long to plan, but will make a big impression on your guests.
If you’re serving dinner, go all out on the table arrangements. A strong colour palette and a couple of centrepieces don’t take long to plan, but will make a big impression on your guests.
Devise a break-out zone
If you’re planning a formal dinner party, make sure you designate an area where guests can relax between courses or with a coffee after the meal. This patio with comfy chairs and soft furnishings is intimate and inviting.
If you’re planning a formal dinner party, make sure you designate an area where guests can relax between courses or with a coffee after the meal. This patio with comfy chairs and soft furnishings is intimate and inviting.
Hang decorations in the trees or bushes in your garden to give the party a carefree, festival feel. Oversized lanterns like these are extra impressive, or you could experiment with streamers or bunting for a low-fuss solution.