Backyard party ideas made stylish and simple.

Photo by Vincent Keiman on Unsplash

Garden party diva

You like to bring people together in a timeless fashion. For you, it’s all about connecting with friends and family in a beautiful setting. Your garden is impeccable.

Someplace comfy your guests can sit and enjoy each other’s company is non-negotiable. To create the classic garden party look, think wicker chairs with extra plush cushions. Love seats also lend themselves to more intimate conversations, while multiple seating areas scattered about your garden let people mingle throughout the party.

Your lighting should create an ambience that is relaxing and unobtrusive. Paper lanterns and battery-operated flameless candles are safe and set the right mood. String twinkle lights in your trees or shrubs for a little extra magic when the sun starts to set.

What’s a party without food? Nothing says “garden party” like tea sandwiches and lemonade. Simple yet beautiful fare is usually on the menu. Refreshments should be light and avoid ingredients that might spoil in warm weather.

With a garden party, entertainment typically revolves around quality time with your guests, no elaborate games or stages necessary. You’ll definitely want some music though. The Spruce recommends creating a playlist beforehand that lasts at least three hours. Set it and forget it.

Bonus Tip: You have a gorgeous garden. Use it to your advantage when decorating with your own flowers to create table arrangements.
 

Smart home host

You want to devote time to your guests, not the logistics that can be automated with technology. For you, the great outdoors is even greater with some of the comforts of a modern high-tech life.

It doesn’t matter how cushy the chairs are if the summer heat is unbearably hot. Provide guests with some high-tech shade that also lets them charge their phones. A USB umbrella is for you.

Get smart with your lighting and make it automated. Invest in outdoor smart plugs so that lights, or anything else you plug in, can be controlled with a smartphone. Don’t forget to make sure your lights are intended for outdoor use, or if you’re using them near a fountain or pool, water-resistant at the very least. If you’re worried about your WiFi being strong enough to work outside, consider a mesh system or signal extender, which help you stay connected over longer distances and through walls and other obstacles.

We’re not sure what’s on the full menu, but we know it will include some kind of meat cooked to perfection when you can use a Bluetooth grill thermometer. But first, start the party on the right foot with a smart propane detector so you don’t run out of fuel partway through meal prep, and stay smart even after the last guests leave. Grillbots, according to Constellation, are ideal for easy cleaning.

Entertainment is where you’re really going to shine, Smart Home Host. Smart speakers are an obvious choice. Don’t rule out a pop-up outdoor movie theater. HGTV has some cost-effective tips for turning your backyard into an entertainment destination for all your friends.

Bonus Tip: When setting up your smart yard, think about creating scenes that will make your party hosting duties even easier. With a single push of a button or voice command – “Alexa, start the party” – you can initiate a chain reaction that turns on outdoor lights, adjusts indoor lighting, turns up the music and signals to your guests that it’s time to have some fun.
 

Creator of calm

You prefer small gatherings over raucous fetes. When you spend time outside, it’s to unwind and find some peace of mind. How you achieve that peace is a unique expression of you.

There is no one-size-fits-all template for creating a calming backyard escape. Some of our favorite ideas though, include cozy hide-away nooks for relaxing or a hammock. Extra points if the hammock is a doublewide so you can share with someone special. Another, albeit slightly more elaborate, seating option is to create an arbor with privacy curtains. Furnish it with comfortable chairs and a bistro table.

Good Housekeeping suggests these origami string lights to softly illuminate a backyard oasis. We also like the idea of citronella candles because nothing ruins a calming evening like a bug that won’t stop buzzing and biting around your ankles.

We thought long and hard about what to serve at your gathering. Should it simply be water flavored with citrus or cucumber to create a spa-like vibe? Or maybe some wine to relax after a long week? Maybe it’s your favorite comfort food. Whatever the answer, we recommend keeping it simple. When all you want to do is unwind, the last thing you should worry about is hauling out loads of dishes and cutlery.

Bonus Tip: Blues, purples and other cool colors are said to inspire relaxation. Consider planting flowers in that color family in your garden.
 

Social butterfly

The more the merrier is your party anthem. Sometimes you plan your outdoor gatherings, sometimes they just unfold spontaneously. Your parties are known for their lively fun, good friends and delicious food.

If you never know who – or how many – will show up, you need lawn furniture that can be moved and stored easily. Think light-weight and foldable. It’s also the perfect excuse to show off a more eclectic style flare. No one will mind if the chairs don’t match, especially if you clearly did it on purpose. If you take your backyard entertaining seriously and have a built-in bar or outdoor kitchen, quality bar stools are a must.

When it comes to lighting, two words: Tiki. Torches.

Sure, you can do burgers and beers, but with all these friends piling in for what they know will be an epic night, why not make it a potluck? Variety is the spice of life, and you’ll get plenty of it when everyone brings their favorite picnic dish. When the sun goes down, get the fire pit blazing because you’ve got s’mores to make.

You can take a few cues from the smart home host and bring out your smart speakers and don’t forget to investigate waterproof options for pool- or lake-side fun. But don’t be afraid to keep it old school, too. Classic barbecue yard games or even a simple deck of cards will always be popular options for whiling away the night.

Bonus Tip: People are ducking in the house to use the bathroom or running to the kitchen to grab the ketchup. Keep your home secure, even with so many people coming and going. Schlage smart locks work great on any kind of entryway, including a back patio, so consider installing this stylish smart solution where you gather most often. A smart lock not only looks great to your guests, but it also works great for you. After a night of revelry, never wonder if you locked up before you went to bed. Check your deadbolt’s status from anywhere, lock it using your smartphone and more.
 

Making your home welcoming and throwing the party of the season takes more than buying a bag of ice and pack of hot dogs. Regardless of your style, it takes just a bit of planning and a few simple home updates to turn yourself into an entertaining pro. Share how you do outdoor entertaining on Facebook or Instagram.