Now that the weather has warmed up, outdoor spaces are begging to be filled again. Whether you use the space for a happy hour with friends (an aperitif), throwing a dinner party or just to relax, outdoor spaces can be the ultimate backdrop for a good time.
Here are some great ways to create a perfect outdoor space for happy hour, dinner parties and relaxation:
Aperitif
Put a rug down and it’s like an indoor living room, but outside! Which naturally makes it way better. Hanging lanterns is another great idea when entertaining outdoors, as happy hour tends to go past dark.
You don’t need to have a big table with lots of seating to have a successful outdoor aperitif. All you really need is a little table like the one above to put some snacks and drinks on. As for seating, don’t be afraid to get creative! Big pillows, wooden chairs, comfy chairs like the ones above – as long as people can sit while they eat, it’ll be a success.
A center table like the one above works perfectly to put a couple appetizers on. It also acts as a focal point for everyone to gather around.
Dinner Party
Instead of having one big table to put all the food on and have people sit around, consider making a buffet table like the one above and letting people chose where to sit while they eat. This makes it a little more informal, letting people snack, chat, drink and eat at their leisure.
If you don’t have space on your deck or patio for a table – don’t stress! A table on the grass is a fun, casual way to throw a dinner party. And look how fantastic and romantic it looks!
Here’s a more casual dinner party setup, which can be just as fun! Creating a close setting like this makes the dinner more intimate, which always sparks great conversations.
Relaxation
All you need for a relaxing outdoor space is something to sit on, a big pillow and some lighting if you plan on staying outside after dusk. The outdoor space above is absolutely perfect for winding down with a book.
Sure, these swings overlooking the water are a dream, but they’d be almost as cool anywhere! Imagine a sunset swing with a glass of wine after a long day. I can’t think of anything more relaxing!
Plants are the most relaxation-inducing accessories of all, and since succulents are really in right now (see my blog post from last month, Five Reasons Terrariums are a Spring Must-Have), why not use them to jazz up your relaxing outdoor space?
Outdoor spaces are the ultimate places for entertainment, but they’re amazing for relaxation as well. And you don’t need a different space for aperitif, dinner parties or for cuddling up with a good book – just a few tweaks here and there and you can use the same space in all three ways.
What kind of outdoor entertaining do you do? What are your tricks to make it the perfect place to entertain?