Contenido patrocinado
How to Create a Glorious Outdoor Space for Summer Gatherings
A designer shares ways to make your alfresco areas party-perfect
Contenido patrocinado
Summer calls for outdoor entertaining. Flower-scented brunches with friends and family. Casual afternoons spent barbecuing and lounging around the pool. Balmy soirees under the stars. Whatever the occasion, the secret is a well-considered design that lets your style shine and invites guests to linger. “The furniture, colors, food and lighting should reflect your personality and show how you like to have fun,” designer Daren Powell says. “It’s really about creating spaces where people can enjoy themselves.”
1. Mix and Match for Size
Some of your events might be intimate, while others might include the whole neighborhood. The key is to take both into account. “Start by making a family room area, where people can sit around, talk, open presents,” says Powell, who owns his eponymous firm in Rancho Mirage, California. “That will provide a focus for the backyard and accommodate a larger party too.” He advises anchoring this space with a sectional, or a sofa and chairs, set around a coffee table or fire pit.
Add other areas for flexible use. Settle a cafe table and chairs under trees, line chaises by the pool or tuck a bench next to a rose arbor. These intimate groupings add appeal for parties of all sizes. “You want places where even at big parties, people can have private conversations or sit by themselves,” Powell says.
Some of your events might be intimate, while others might include the whole neighborhood. The key is to take both into account. “Start by making a family room area, where people can sit around, talk, open presents,” says Powell, who owns his eponymous firm in Rancho Mirage, California. “That will provide a focus for the backyard and accommodate a larger party too.” He advises anchoring this space with a sectional, or a sofa and chairs, set around a coffee table or fire pit.
Add other areas for flexible use. Settle a cafe table and chairs under trees, line chaises by the pool or tuck a bench next to a rose arbor. These intimate groupings add appeal for parties of all sizes. “You want places where even at big parties, people can have private conversations or sit by themselves,” Powell says.
2. Fine-Tune Food and Refreshments
Parties need food, whether it’s finger food, a full-on barbecue or a fancy buffet. Start with a grill, and then install a mini fridge to keep ingredients cool. Since drinks are also essential at any gathering, especially in summer, Powell recommends a bar cart. “They’re wonderful to wheel around and put anywhere,” he says. An ice bucket makes for a nice accent.
Decide where to put the delicious dishes you plan to serve. “Large tables are great for setting up food, while bar tables work well for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails,” Powell says. An outdoor dining set is great for dinner parties, while side tables next to sofas and chairs work well for more casual or sprawling events. Storage containers can do double duty as tables if their tops are flat.
Parties need food, whether it’s finger food, a full-on barbecue or a fancy buffet. Start with a grill, and then install a mini fridge to keep ingredients cool. Since drinks are also essential at any gathering, especially in summer, Powell recommends a bar cart. “They’re wonderful to wheel around and put anywhere,” he says. An ice bucket makes for a nice accent.
Decide where to put the delicious dishes you plan to serve. “Large tables are great for setting up food, while bar tables work well for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails,” Powell says. An outdoor dining set is great for dinner parties, while side tables next to sofas and chairs work well for more casual or sprawling events. Storage containers can do double duty as tables if their tops are flat.
3. Cue the Entertainment
Powell likes putting a TV near the grill or bar stools, so people can watch sports where they naturally cluster to chat with the chef. Projection screens can be viewed from the lawn or the pool, and they make a fun feature for birthdays if you play a family slideshow, Powell says. Hide built-in speakers in plantings or rock walls to play music or sounds of nature.
Powell also likes old-fashioned options. “Mount a swing to a tree or put a hammock in its own little area,” he says, for guests who want to unplug and relax.
Powell likes putting a TV near the grill or bar stools, so people can watch sports where they naturally cluster to chat with the chef. Projection screens can be viewed from the lawn or the pool, and they make a fun feature for birthdays if you play a family slideshow, Powell says. Hide built-in speakers in plantings or rock walls to play music or sounds of nature.
Powell also likes old-fashioned options. “Mount a swing to a tree or put a hammock in its own little area,” he says, for guests who want to unplug and relax.
4. Take the Weather Into Account
Prepare for summer showers by placing waterproof umbrellas over a few chairs or a small dining set. A larger table can be set in a gazebo so you can entertain outside even when clouds gather. These coverings also work well as shade structures to help prevent glare and sunburn.
Powell recommends having a fire table or fire pit to warm things up when evenings get chilly. “They also create ambiance,” he says, “and you can use them to make s’mores.” Since fire pits come in different heights, shapes and materials, it’s easy to find one that works well with any arrangement.
Prepare for summer showers by placing waterproof umbrellas over a few chairs or a small dining set. A larger table can be set in a gazebo so you can entertain outside even when clouds gather. These coverings also work well as shade structures to help prevent glare and sunburn.
Powell recommends having a fire table or fire pit to warm things up when evenings get chilly. “They also create ambiance,” he says, “and you can use them to make s’mores.” Since fire pits come in different heights, shapes and materials, it’s easy to find one that works well with any arrangement.
5. Perk Up the Space With Decor
Once you set the stage with furniture, splash in some vibrant accents. “Colors can really help bring the whole look together,” Powell says. “Add pillows, a rug, blankets and towels as the icing on the cake.” He also likes to include strings of LED lights, both to accentuate spaces and to create a romantic effect. Try changing accents based on the theme of the party, choosing the palette based on a sports team, holiday or college.
Whatever you do, remember that “at the end of the day, everything can be moved around,” Powell says. “If you have the right pieces, you can get really creative for your parties.”
More: For more outdoor entertaining ideas, visit GDFStudio’s Houzz profile.
Tell us: What are some of your favorite tips for fabulous summer gatherings? Let us know in the Comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Once you set the stage with furniture, splash in some vibrant accents. “Colors can really help bring the whole look together,” Powell says. “Add pillows, a rug, blankets and towels as the icing on the cake.” He also likes to include strings of LED lights, both to accentuate spaces and to create a romantic effect. Try changing accents based on the theme of the party, choosing the palette based on a sports team, holiday or college.
Whatever you do, remember that “at the end of the day, everything can be moved around,” Powell says. “If you have the right pieces, you can get really creative for your parties.”
More: For more outdoor entertaining ideas, visit GDFStudio’s Houzz profile.
Tell us: What are some of your favorite tips for fabulous summer gatherings? Let us know in the Comments.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
I love this modern seating set with fire pit.
Outdoor activities and wet weather do not go together. Where I live, when it rains, more often than not, it pours. Umbrellas don't provide enough protection and are not stable in winds. A sitting area, especially with cushions, has to have a roof. In fact, I prefer a covered porch attached to the house over a pergola for wet days.
Outdoor activities and mosquitos and hornets do not mix well. We are building a screen porch for eating outside. The bears in our area will destroy an outdoor kitchen, so it either has to be bear proof, or portable.