It’s party time! Specifically, it’s backyard party time. If you’re new to backyard entertaining, you may have some questions, like, how can you move people from inside to out? How can you create a garden space that’s enjoyable and adds ease to your entertaining? 

Create a Seamless Transition

The outdoors won’t be nearly as inviting if it’s difficult to access. Instead, create a seamless transition from a sunroom or living room into the outdoor living space. Make sure that you have a place to put shoes if you take them off indoors, and transition the decor slowly, making it visually obvious that the two spaces are connected. You can easily make a deck or patio feel like a living room extension. For instance, your outdoor furniture can echo your indoor furniture, or you can have similar rugs on your patio and in your living room.

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Develop Outdoor Rooms

If you have a large expanse of lawn and not much else, it can be a challenge for guests to feel at home in your space. Instead, turn that lawn into outdoor rooms. Each room is a smaller garden space that feels a little separate from the others. You can use the following garden structures to define your rooms: 

• Pathways 
• Arbors 
• Awnings 
• Seating areas 
• Fire pits
• Water features 
• Different types of plants 

You can also create a dining room for a dinner party, gathering people together around an outdoor table. Freshome suggests that “The meal and conversation are easily shared in this family-style setting,” and everyone can talk with each other.  

Create an Outdoor Cooking and Eating Area 

An outdoor cooking area is a natural in the warm summer months. Add a designated barbeque area, and consider adding amenities such as a backyard sink as well. Add a counter for serving and storage for items that you might need, such as tongs. Around your barbeque area, plant fragrant and useful herbs for cooking. 

If bugs such as wasps detract from peoples’ enjoyment of backyard dining, the Family Handyman suggests adding a screen house where people can enjoy the outdoors and escape the bugs while eating.

Add a Sense of Warmth 

As the nights grow cooler at the end of the summer, it’s tempting to just move the party indoors. However, you can make the outdoors warm and cozy as well. Add lights to trees and walkways, and install a gas or wood fire so that people can gather around it as the nights grow cooler. Place boxes next to seating: these can double as a storage area for pillows and blankets and a side table for cups and plates.

Protect People From the Weather 

If a shower threatens your dinner party or it’s very hot to entertain on your deck during the afternoon sun, make sure that you have installed an awning for protection. Also consider how slippery your deck gets after a rain or a heavy dew: add non-slip decking or anti-slip oils, paints, and stains. Make sure that you install a gutter guard so that water from your home is directed away from your deck, rather than onto it. 

At Harry Helmet, we’re experts in home transformation. We want you to create a home that’s easy to maintain and easy to enjoy. Learn more about gutter guards, awnings, and roofing: schedule a free estimate today.

Written by Del Thebaud