Throwing an outdoor party is the perfect way to make the most of any spring or summer night. Moving the celebration from indoors to outdoor cuts down on clean-up while allowing you to use nature’s beauty as the backdrop for your best outdoor party ideas. There’s a little more to the outdoor party than just setting up some folding chairs and tables.

Of course, making sure you have a backup plan in case of inclement weather is the key to throwing the perfect outdoor party. But aside from securing that secondary location, you can use our tips to create a cozy backyard gathering for 5 or 50 guests.

You can start with the theme. Fun themes guide your outdoor party without feeling too restrictive or old-fashioned. Knowing whether you’d like to throw an outdoor barbecue, host a baby shower, plan a pool party, or just get together for a relaxed get-together determines what your guests need to bring. Try to note any dress code suggestions or requirements, such as casual shoes or sunscreen. If bugs might be an issue, either recommend that guests bring their own repellents or provide a few different products with varying formulas. Try insect netting hung under a pop-up canopy, or at least over the food before it’s served. Don’t forget that comfortable-yet-stylishpatio furniture, or at least comfy temporary seating for all your guests.

Illuminate Your Backyard Party at Night

Lighting sets the mood for any party, but it’s especially important for backyard gatherings. You may need a few bright lights scattered around for food and drink stations, depending on what evening outdoor party ideas you embrace. However, you’ll want to mainly use string lights or fairy lights for mood lighting throughout the rest of the outdoor space. An arbor or gazebo strung with the right twinkling lights can quickly go from ordinary to enchanting without requiring permanent installation. Diffused light at night is also essential for any outdoor cinema party ideas.

Path lighting is recommended for helping guests find their way to the party area and back to the bathroom or parking area as necessary. For brighter lighting to indicate where to come and go, try a few outdoor sconce or pendant lights installed across the backyard and the home’s exterior.Outdoor lightingthat can be dimmed is a great choice for setting the mood outdoors for a party of any kind. With the right lighting, it’s possible to transform an ordinary backyard into a space fit for a fairytale wedding or an anniversary party worthy of a professional photographer.

Grill Out With Your Friends

Cooking for the entire party in the summer usually means grilling. If you want everyone to take charge of their own hot dog roasting or shish kabob grilling, try an openfire pit这对安全的给煤加燃料很有帮助。火坑不仅适合户外烧烤聚会。它们也将户外聚会的时间延长到秋季。对于没有人会忘记的户外生日聚会的想法，投资可靠的燃气户外烧烤设备，尝试一些不同寻常的东西。烤披萨是一个每个人都会惊叹的有趣的技巧，或者你也可以把菠萝、西瓜和柑橘等坚硬的水果混合在一起做成令人兴奋的甜点。

在使用火坑或烧烤时，确保手边有灭火器。有趣的配件，比如主题扑克，硅胶手套，甚至整个烤肉架的设置，都将确保你的夏季派对上总有新东西登场。成为你一直幻想的烧烤大师，在别人来之前先练习一下。别忘了给客人用的玩具，比如特制的S ' more餐叉，可以很容易地吃到微烤的棉花糖。

Find the Perfect Outdoor Seating

Your theme informs your outdoor party decoration ideas, and it also helps you determine how muchoutdoor seatingyou’ll need. Pool parties, dance-offs, and other active gatherings will only need limited seating for about half the guests at any given time. For more sedate events where everyone will sit and eat together, make sure there’s extra seating on hand in case a few visitors bring unexpected guests. Benches and seats made from durable materials like aluminum, rattan, or resin are easy to clean before each party for a fresh look without a lot of work. Make sure to choose cushions with covers designed to withstand the elements so your guests marvel at your outdoor decor every time they drop by.

Speaking of preparing for a party, make sure to clean the cushions and seating each time before guests arrive. The dust and algae that can accumulate on outdoor furniture between uses may stain clothing if it rubs off onto the fabric. Spraying the furniture with a cleaner that’s recommended by the manufacturer and rinsing it off with a water hose should be enough, but you may need to do it a few times each summer if you live in a humid environment. Use a soft-bristled brush on any stubborn deposits.

Chill Your Favorite Party Beverages in a Cooler

许多成年人的户外聚会都涉及酒精，甚至不滴酒不沾的聚会也依赖冷饮来让大家感觉不到热。精心制作的冷藏箱和饮料桶为你提供了存放易拉罐和瓶子的时尚选择，直到它们准备好。Try a rollingbeverage cartfor large parties where dozens of drinks may be needed each hour. A high capacity for ice ensures drinks are cooled quickly when you’re readily restocking. For a fixture that hides in plain sight while pulling double duty as a side table, try a cooler table. Open beverage stands and tubs let guests choose whatever they like and are easily scattered throughout a largeroutdoor space.

Prepare for the party season with a few new pieces of outdoor furniture for your backyard. With tasteful places for chilling beverages and extra seating to accommodate guests, you’ll be ready for whatever the summer throws at you. Even transforming your backyard into a cinema or karaoke bar is well within your grasp with tasteful furnishings and accessories from Ashley.