How to Set Up Your Backyard for Easy Summer Entertaining
These 10 ideas add ambiance to an outdoor space and make parties more fun for you and your guests
Nothing beats the long, warm evenings of summer when you want to have friends over for a meal outside. If you’re getting ready for the outdoor entertaining season, a little effort — like hanging some cafe-style globe lights or investing in a movable fire pit — goes a long way toward sprucing up your backyard.
If you’re planning on playing host, take a look at these 10 ideas to help prep your yard in advance and keep things simple on the day of an event. Come party time, you can enjoy the evenings just as much as your guests.
If you’re planning on playing host, take a look at these 10 ideas to help prep your yard in advance and keep things simple on the day of an event. Come party time, you can enjoy the evenings just as much as your guests.
2. Sort Out Additional Seating Now
To avoid scrambling for extra chairs on the day of a party, take an assessment of your seating options and fill in or borrow as necessary. Look for lightweight chairs that can easily be moved from the house, or consider low outdoor walls that can double as seats.
If you plan on entertaining more people than your seating can accommodate, purchase a stack of inexpensive folding chairs (that are easy to store) to have on hand. Alternatively, get a couple of bar tables to keep guests more mobile.
To avoid scrambling for extra chairs on the day of a party, take an assessment of your seating options and fill in or borrow as necessary. Look for lightweight chairs that can easily be moved from the house, or consider low outdoor walls that can double as seats.
If you plan on entertaining more people than your seating can accommodate, purchase a stack of inexpensive folding chairs (that are easy to store) to have on hand. Alternatively, get a couple of bar tables to keep guests more mobile.
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3. Throw Some Shade
Investing in a proper shade structure, shade sail or vine-covered trellis can up the comfort of your backyard entertaining area for summer gatherings. The sliding shade sail pictured here is great for controlling just how much sun or shade you’d like, as the shade fabric can slide across the wires to expose or cover certain areas.
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Investing in a proper shade structure, shade sail or vine-covered trellis can up the comfort of your backyard entertaining area for summer gatherings. The sliding shade sail pictured here is great for controlling just how much sun or shade you’d like, as the shade fabric can slide across the wires to expose or cover certain areas.
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If this isn’t the year to invest in a year-round setup, plan on picking up a few good-size umbrellas to cast pools of shade over a sunny patio. Consider moving outdoor dining furniture under the leafy canopy of an existing mature tree, if you have one, for a pop-up eating area.
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4. String up Twinkle Lights
Instantly transform an outdoor space into one that feels ready for a party by hanging some cafe-style lights. Although the cheap string light kits can be used in a pinch, you’re better off investing in one or two strands of commercial-grade outdoor patio lights that are waterproof, much more durable and can be used year after year.
Bulbs and cords are often sold separately for commercial-grade lights. Pick up a few extra bulbs now and you’ll be set for summer.
Learn how to hang outdoor string lights
Instantly transform an outdoor space into one that feels ready for a party by hanging some cafe-style lights. Although the cheap string light kits can be used in a pinch, you’re better off investing in one or two strands of commercial-grade outdoor patio lights that are waterproof, much more durable and can be used year after year.
Bulbs and cords are often sold separately for commercial-grade lights. Pick up a few extra bulbs now and you’ll be set for summer.
Learn how to hang outdoor string lights
5. Try an Outdoor Rug
Outdoor rugs can make any outdoor eating area feel more finished, and they conveniently hide decks or outdoor flooring that you didn’t have time to clean. Plus, many outdoor rugs feel great under bare feet and make sitting on the ground with a few poufs a lot more inviting. Look for outdoor rugs made of recycled plastic, nylon or polyester that are water-resistant and easy to hose down for a quick cleanup.
Outdoor rugs can make any outdoor eating area feel more finished, and they conveniently hide decks or outdoor flooring that you didn’t have time to clean. Plus, many outdoor rugs feel great under bare feet and make sitting on the ground with a few poufs a lot more inviting. Look for outdoor rugs made of recycled plastic, nylon or polyester that are water-resistant and easy to hose down for a quick cleanup.
6. Keep Summer Menus Simple
With produce at its peak, simple ingredients like vine-ripened tomatoes can quickly be elevated to dinner-party ready with a drizzle of olive oil and some salt and torn basil leaves. Spend less time in the kitchen by centering menus around dishes that can be quickly prepared or thrown on the grill in the backyard.
Stock your pantry now with staples like crackers to serve with cheese, olives and chips for appetizers, and stash a few cartons of ice cream in the freezer for an easy dessert for a crowd.
With produce at its peak, simple ingredients like vine-ripened tomatoes can quickly be elevated to dinner-party ready with a drizzle of olive oil and some salt and torn basil leaves. Spend less time in the kitchen by centering menus around dishes that can be quickly prepared or thrown on the grill in the backyard.
Stock your pantry now with staples like crackers to serve with cheese, olives and chips for appetizers, and stash a few cartons of ice cream in the freezer for an easy dessert for a crowd.
7. Put Together an Outdoor Drink Cart
Get guests out of the kitchen and invite them to serve themselves by setting up a low-key outdoor bar cart. Get your ducks in a row now by picking up a proper cart or, even easier, by finding a small table you can repurpose for the season or for a specific event.
Leave room for a cooler nearby and sort out a jug to hold ice. If you’re prepping for a party, buy basics — like sparkling water, shelf-stable juices, soda and wine — or ask guests to bring something to share.
Bonus: Come up with a signature cocktail. Simplify your grocery list by offering one signature punch or cocktail and having other basics on hand for guests to help themselves. If you have fruits, herbs or other cocktail ingredients growing in the garden, consider centering around an ingredient you know you’ll have on hand all summer, like mint for mojitos or berries for a fruity punch.
Get guests out of the kitchen and invite them to serve themselves by setting up a low-key outdoor bar cart. Get your ducks in a row now by picking up a proper cart or, even easier, by finding a small table you can repurpose for the season or for a specific event.
Leave room for a cooler nearby and sort out a jug to hold ice. If you’re prepping for a party, buy basics — like sparkling water, shelf-stable juices, soda and wine — or ask guests to bring something to share.
Bonus: Come up with a signature cocktail. Simplify your grocery list by offering one signature punch or cocktail and having other basics on hand for guests to help themselves. If you have fruits, herbs or other cocktail ingredients growing in the garden, consider centering around an ingredient you know you’ll have on hand all summer, like mint for mojitos or berries for a fruity punch.
8. Recruit a Helper or Two
If you’re hosting an event, ask a few friends to come by early and help with setup or food prep. Tasks like harvesting salad greens, moving furniture outside, setting the table or hanging up a string of pennants can be quickly accomplished with a few extra hands.
If you’re hosting an event, ask a few friends to come by early and help with setup or food prep. Tasks like harvesting salad greens, moving furniture outside, setting the table or hanging up a string of pennants can be quickly accomplished with a few extra hands.
9. Combat Mosquitoes
Nobody wants to deal with summer’s less-than-welcome guests at an outdoor party. To decrease the number of mosquitoes on your property, eliminate their breeding grounds by overturning any containers with stagnant water in your backyard, such as flower pots, saucers or buckets. Change water in birdbaths frequently (at least twice a week) and make sure water in water features recirculates.
Beyond prevention, take steps to reduce the annoyance caused by mosquitoes by taking one or more of the following steps: Invest in an outdoor fan (mosquitoes don’t like moving air), screen in an outdoor porch or pergola, stock up on citronella candles and have some mosquito repellent on hand.
How to Keep Bugs Away While You Enjoy the Outdoors
Nobody wants to deal with summer’s less-than-welcome guests at an outdoor party. To decrease the number of mosquitoes on your property, eliminate their breeding grounds by overturning any containers with stagnant water in your backyard, such as flower pots, saucers or buckets. Change water in birdbaths frequently (at least twice a week) and make sure water in water features recirculates.
Beyond prevention, take steps to reduce the annoyance caused by mosquitoes by taking one or more of the following steps: Invest in an outdoor fan (mosquitoes don’t like moving air), screen in an outdoor porch or pergola, stock up on citronella candles and have some mosquito repellent on hand.
How to Keep Bugs Away While You Enjoy the Outdoors
10. Plan for Cool Evenings
Keep it cozy outside after dark with sources of warmth and light. Have a couple of warm throw blankets on hand for draping over shoulders or invest in a movable fire pit or outdoor heaters.
There are lightweight movable fire pits on the market that are available in more environmentally friendly smoke-free configurations.
Keep it cozy outside after dark with sources of warmth and light. Have a couple of warm throw blankets on hand for draping over shoulders or invest in a movable fire pit or outdoor heaters.
There are lightweight movable fire pits on the market that are available in more environmentally friendly smoke-free configurations.
Tell us: How are you getting ready for hosting outdoors? What are you already doing to enjoy eating outside? Share in the Comments.
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Read other stories about landscape design
Browse landscape photos for inspiration
Find a home pro for your project
Shop for outdoor products
Give outdoor surfaces and furniture a good wash to start and you’ll only need to touch up things later on. Power wash surfaces like decks or patios, or — to conserve water — sweep floors and use a bucket of water with a scrub brush to spot-treat where needed. If decks require refinishing, get it done now. Rake gravel patios smooth and pick up a few fresh bags of gravel to fill in bare spots. Wipe down outdoor furniture and make note of any pieces that need care. Tackle tasks such as oiling teak chairs or replacing cushions that need it.