Tips for Creating a Perfect Outdoor Entertaining Area

What are the elements that make up the perfect outdoor entertaining area?  How do you create a cozy, beautiful, stay-cation worthy setting? In this post I’ll share with you some designer tips and the essential items you need to create an amazing backyard entertaining area.

1. Comfortable Seating Area

There’s nothing better than relaxing on a comfortable outdoor lounge chair with a good book in one hand and a cold drink in the other.  And the same is true for your guests – they will love to gather around in a comfortable seating area on your back deck or patio. Arrange your seating just like you would in your family room to encourage relaxed conversation  Use plenty of outdoor pillows and provide throw blankets to keep everyone warm during chilly evenings.

Here are some beautiful and inviting outdoor seating examples.

Source: Pottery Barn

Source: Pottery Barn

Shop for Outdoor Seating

2. Fire & Candlelight

An outdoor fire in the evening is so mesmerizing – it just draws people in like moths.  Fire or candlelight is absolutely essential to creating a relaxing ambiance for your outdoor entertaining area.  We have a gas fire pit that we use liberally during the summer months.  Not only does it create the perfect mood, but it keeps us warm and is perfect for making s’mores (which we do quite often at our backyard parties). If a fire pit is a bit too much for you, then consider a tabletop fire pit or an arrangement of candles in lanterns or mason jars to set the right mood.

Source: Pottery Barn

Shop for Firepits & Candlelight

3. Outdoor String Lighting

Have you ever been to an outdoor evening wedding and noticed all the beautiful outdoor string lights?  String lighting creates an incredible ambiance outside.  A single string of lights can create an elegant setting for a backyard dinner party, or give just enough light to keep the party going late into the night. 

Shop for Outdoor String Lights

4. Outdoor Decor

This is the fun part!  Choose a theme or a color palette you love, and buy lots of outdoor pillows and accessories to spruce up your backyard.  Think of your backyard as an extension of your living space, and decorate away!  The trick is to create visual interest in your outdoor entertaining area with color, pattern, and interesting textures.

With the addition of some wall decor or art, a boring outside wall can become an instant topic of conversation. Hanging outdoor curtains around a pergola or covered porch can be a beautiful way to elevate your space.  Using a brightly colored set of pillows will add excitement to your seating area.  An indoor/outdoor rug under your seating area can help define the area, while adding color and pattern, and creating the feeling of a true outdoor living space.

Source: Pottery Barn

Source: Pottery Barn

Shop for Outdoor Decor

5. Backyard Games

Lawn bowling, horseshoes, bocce ball, ladder ball, bean bag toss, volleyball, badminton…there are so many great outdoor games that are quick, fun, and easy to learn.  Of course, not every backyard party is suitable for lawn games, but it can be a fun diversion for adults and kids alike at a casual BBQ. If you want to create the ultimate outdoor entertaining area, be sure to have some outdoor games on hand. One of our favorites is Sinkhole Washers…a variation of a classic washer toss game that is easy to play, yet challenging enough to keep things interesting.

Source: Sinkhole Washers

6. Spruce up Your Planters

If your backyard is anything like mine, by the end of winter you have beautiful planters with ugly, dead plants in them.  Bring a little life back into your yard with some new plants and colorful flowers before your next outdoor gathering.  Have fun mixing a variety of plants with complementary colors and textures.  Use planters in all different shapes, sizes, and colors to liven up a dull yard.

Source: HGTV

Source: Pottery Barn

Shop for Planters

7. Add Shade with a Gazebo or Pergola

If your backyard is lacking shade, your guests will truly appreciate the ability to escape harsh rays on a hot sunny day. A gazebo or pergola is a great way to add a shady oasis to your outdoor entertaining area. But more that that, gazebos and pergolas add major wow factor to your yard, and can be used to define a cozy outdoor dining or lounging space your guests will love.

Source: Wayfair

Source: Wayfair

Shop Gazebos & Pergolas

So there you have it! By following the 7 tips listed above, you are sure to have a more beautiful and comfortable outdoor entertaining area that both you and your guests will love spending time in.