How to Host the Perfect Garden Party
Words by Emma Hughes
April 19, 2022
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4m
There’s nothing better than hosting a garden get together with family and friends. But, if you really want to impress your guests, there are a few things to consider when prepping your outdoor space for entertaining.
Whether you’re planning BBQs in the sunshine, dinner parties al fresco or late-night drinks, creating a stylish setting can transform your garden into the perfect party oasis.
Discover our top tips to help you make the most of your outdoor space and host the garden gathering of the season.
In this article:
Make room for your guests
No matter what kind of space you’re working with, it’s important to have comfortable seating options to accommodate your guests.
If you have a small garden, multi-functional seats such as stools, folding chairs and ottomans are garden party essentials. They help to save space and look great amongst your garden décor.
Garden lounge sets or day beds are perfect for larger gardens, giving you the luxury of indoor lounging in your beautiful outdoor space.
Or, if you plan to host smaller and intimate gatherings, a cosy corner set is the way to go. Creating a central focus point, comfortable seating will act as an anchor and help draw people together. Take a look at our full list of garden seating ideas for more inspiration.
Upscale your garden furniture
Alfresco Dining
Serving delicious food is always a crowd-pleaser at a summer soiree, but you’ll have to upscale your garden furniture if want to create the ultimate alfresco dining experience.
For effortless style, a traditional oval dining set can create the perfect seating arrangement for hosting dinner parties. If you’re opting for a relaxed look, then why not pair a stylish table with a bench and individual chairs? For more casual gatherings, corner sets with garden coffee tables work well for serving nibbles and buffets.
Drinks & Socialising
Looking to dedicate an area solely to socialising and refreshing drinks? A stylish garden bar set is the perfect choice.
Providing subtle elegance, a bar table with coordinating stools is the perfect place to catch up with friends over a drink or two. Look out for garden sets that also contain ice buckets, so you won’t have to worry about missing a thing once the conversation is flowing.
Get cosy
Imagine your garden as an extension of your home. It’s good to have blankets and throws on hand for when the temperature drops. Not only will they keep out the cold, but accessories also bring a sense of homeliness, texture and warmth. Enhance the effect with plump and decorative cushions – guaranteed to deliver a level of coziness that rivals your living room. Be sure to store your all your outdoor accessories in a storage box to keep them clean and dry all year round.
For sought-after snugness, hanging chairs create a feeling of tranquility and relaxation that offsets the bustle of a busy get-together. Line with soft throws and colourful cushions and you’ll create a cosy nook that feels worlds away from the everyday – perfect for private conversations.
Heat things up
As the night draws in a fire pit provides a chilled out, snug ambience and an extra bit of warmth. A great place to gather around, and perfect for roasting marshmallows over the open flames, fire pits can turn any outdoor event into a magical evening to remember and keep the party going until the early hours.
Set the scene with atmospheric lighting
Don’t underestimate the power of lighting to create the perfect mood for your next garden party. Outdoor lights are a clever way to introduce added atmosphere after dark.
Solar-powered bulb lights are a popular choice for entertaining as they automatically illuminate at dusk. They can be draped along a fence or positioned on a pergola to evoke a warm, intimate ambience.
For a subtle alternative that provides plenty of atmosphere, scatter lanterns around tables, or invest in ground lights to illuminate pathways.
Get creative with garden party decoration ideas
Perhaps one of the most overlooked parts of party prep are the accessories. Not only do accessories give your garden a touch of character, but they also elevate the outdoor experience.
If it’s a special occasion make sure your garden is dressed to impress with thoughtful touches like colorful bunting, a balloon archway and statement blooms. Gorgeous pots and planters can really make the space your own. Or, opt for bold and colourful tableware and cutlery to add that extra vibrancy.
Be prepared come rain or shine
A high-quality pergola offers shelter from unexpected showers while introducing a stylish and contemporary touch to your outdoor space.
Built to withstand wet weather and provide shelter from the soaring temperatures, parasols are another worthy investment to protect your guests (and furniture) from the elements. Plus, they’ll provide much-needed shelter from the sunshine too on those warmer days.
For more garden party ideas, browse our luxurious range of garden furniture online at Barker and Stonehouse.