The sun is shining, the patio is refreshed, and your out-of-office is on—your space is perfectly primed for outdoor entertaining. As we drift into the season of al fresco dining, it’s worth making the most of every moment we can spend outside. Summer often goes by so quickly, and that’s why I so deeply love the art of outdoor entertaining! It’s the best way of celebrating all that summer brings and a wonderful way of bringing together your favorite people.
That being said, I know hosting can be a little stressful. Trying to visualize everything you need, let alone put together a tablescape outside, takes effort. I’m fully here to help on this front! As a long-time fan of outdoor entertaining, I wanted to put together a guide for you so you can enjoy eating meals outside and spending time with the people you care about most. Ahead, you’ll find general advice for running outdoor gatherings smoothly, as well as my favorite furniture and hosting staples for creating a lovely atmosphere.
Tips for Outdoor Entertaining
Whether you’re hosting a graduation party, entertaining new friends, hosting a large summer bash, or an intimate dinner, these tips will best support you as you plan and on the day!
Treat your outdoor events like indoor ones.
When you entertain outside, it’s always a nice idea to give it the same attention and care as your indoor gatherings. Take time to clean your deck, patio, porch, or whichever area you’re hosting. And give yourself ample time to decorate and design a layout that works for you. If it’s just a morning latte with your best friend, create a cozy and comfortable set-up with cushioned seats, an accessible table, shade if necessary, nibbles, and mugs that are easy to use outside. For bigger events, think about a well-designed tablescape, activities to do, and where everything will go… which leads me to the next point.
Create zones for guests.
Designating zones in your outdoor spaces reflects a layout similar to your interiors, and gives guests options. Some may want to just relax with a drink in hand. Have comfortable chairs or loungers available for them or a quiet area on your patio. Have an area for kids’ food and games if little ones or teens will be joining. Make the games/sports area clear for kids and adults interested in running around. It’s also smart to consider both exposed and shaded areas for your friends and family to sit based on their comfort levels.
Get dietary requirements and requests in early.
There is nothing more stressful than getting a last-minute request you can’t cater to or when someone mentions an allergy in passing. Keep people comfortable and protect your own peace of mind by asking for all of this up front. This will help you then design a menu, plan out drinks, or determine what’s worth purchasing.
Consider timing and temperature.
No one ever sets out to host a gathering without considering the forecast, but we can’t control what ends up happening. There are ways to feel extra prepared, though! Have an umbrella to keep hot sun rays out. Consider an awning or a porch space you can move into if a drizzle starts or a breeze picks up. Have movable heaters and soft throw blankets in a basket that guests can gravitate towards if the temperature dips. You may want a fire pit going if it’s an evening get-together. Consider the possibilities and you won’t feel caught out in most cases!
Choose a theme and opt for simple.
A central theme can be helpful so you don’t buy too much food or drinks or struggle to figure out what to prepare. It’s also great if guests ask what to bring, and you can share the theme with them for inspiration. This is also a guiding light for designing your outdoor space and tablescape and determining what plates and items to use. I also recommend selecting a simple menu.
Bring food and drinks out last.
This might seem like a no-brainer, but oftentimes, in order to prepare and feel ready before people arrive, it can be tempting to set everything out in advance. This unfortunately doesn’t work as well outdoors. Inside, you have control over the indoor temperature, ovens, hot plates, and a fridge to keep everything fresh. Outside, the elements, bugs, and fluctuating temperatures make this difficult. I recommend assigning someone to help you bring everything out a few minutes prior, or even better, task your family with carrying out the dishes for you when it’s time to eat!
Build in time for you to enjoy your event.
So often as the host, you spend all your time preparing, serving, cleaning, and running around! While that is part of hosting, I think it’s extremely important that you get a chance to enjoy your efforts and the company around you. Life is too short not to have special moments with friends and family; the dishes can wait! If you feel overwhelmed, don’t go it alone. Delegate tasks to your partner, kids, or friends. People often want to help (but might need a little direction)!
Outdoor Entertaining Essentials
Part of feeling good about hosting outdoors comes down to the items you have. While it’s perfectly possible to grab the paper plates and call it good, having essentials that make you happy and make entertaining easier are worth the investment. It makes each occasion feel special, even if it’s a casual coffee date or a laidback potluck.
Shop some of my favorite outdoor dining items below, then keep scrolling to discover all you need for hosting outdoors, plus categorized essentials!
Outdoor Furniture
Let’s start with the foundations. You can’t host without tables and chairs or areas for you and your guests to chat, share food, and unwind. If you’re on a budget for upgrading your patio, deck, or porch, I recommend just a few basics. Consider a dining table and chairs (or at least a bistro table and chairs), then two more comfortable chairs or loungers for sitting. If you have a bigger budget, I’d consider an outdoor couch, a large dining table and chairs, and several options for seating, whether that’s sun chairs, loungers, big cushy chairs, poufs, or floor cushions.
Building out from that, consider side tables and ottomans that double as storage. Benches are also handy, especially those with hidden compartments. Umbrellas or shades are another staple, in my opinion, as this allows guests to choose between sun and cover. Lastly, think about rolling carts or outdoor consoles that make it easier to hold food or support you if you’re grilling or cooking outdoors.
Outdoor Plates, Glassware, and Cutlery
Yes, arguably, your outdoor furniture is the most important part of outdoor entertaining. However, I will say that nothing brings magic to outdoor gatherings like the plates, serverware, glassware, and other tablescape touches. Aesthetically, these details are responsible for carrying the theme and bringing an instant infusion of color and texture to your table without requiring immense effort. Functionally? They provide so much, of course!
Outside of plates, bowls, silverware, and glassware, think about other useful pieces that make hosting and eating outside simpler. Placemats and tablecloths keep furniture clean while giving your table style. Pitchers, serving platters and bowls, and drink dispensers offer ways of beautifully plating your food and serving drinks. Citronella candles keep pests away and add an ambient glow. Don’t forget washable (but pretty) napkins either!
Outdoor Decor
Decor is the cherry on top of a lovely outdoor entertaining set-up. Once you have furniture in place and everything needed for serving and making guests comfortable, decor adds those details that make your outdoor spaces feel just as inviting as your interiors. Though some people might see these as “extras,” I see them as a vital part of your outdoor spaces and an extension of your home. I also think spending a little time sourcing outdoor decor and putting part of your budget towards it is worth it. These pieces will last you for years, and they’re easy to rearrange, move around, and build upon.
As far as my favorite outdoor decor goes, I think there are three great categories to focus on first: Textiles, lighting, and plants. Soft weatherproof furnishings like rugs, pillows, cushions, and blankets boost your guests’ comfort when sitting, standing, and walking around. They also add color and dimension to couches, chairs, and tables. Lighting is essential, too, not only to see when the evening settles around you but to really set the tone. Consider string or fairy lights, lanterns, solar orbs, and candles. Lastly, plants are a must. They make you feel like you’re truly within nature, even if you’re sitting up high on a deck. They too add color and texture, and there are so many planters for all design tastes.
