Garden party idea: 20 Best Garden Party Ideas

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14

Set Up a Floral Arranging Statoion

Cheetah Is the New Black

Set up a station for guests to arrange their own bouquets. This will give them something to bring home and remember the party by.

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15

Set Up A Lemonade Bar

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When life gives you lemons, make a DIY lemonade bar. This one is adults only, but if there’s kiddos around, skip the spirits.

Get the tutorial at Sugar and Charm.

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16

Deck Out Your Bar Cart

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If you don’t have a full outdoor bar, wheel out a bar cart. Once you’ve piled on all the necessary ingredients, deck it out with pretty barware and plants.

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17

Soak Grapes In Prosecco

Ethan Calabrese

Prosecco is always a good idea. Set out a bowl of these and watch them disappear, almost instantly.

Get the recipe from Delish.

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18

Turn It Into A Tea Party

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A garden is the ultimate setting for a tea party. Serve mini pastries, scones, and plenty of finger sandwiches.

See more at Sugar and Charm.

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19

Fire Up the Grill

Cheetah Is the New Black

What garden party is complete without a little barbecuing? It’s easy, quick, and delicious. If you want to keep things casual (or you just don’t want to have to set a table), opt for skewers.

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20

Light a Fire

Nicole Franzen

If you want to keep the party going after the sun goes down and the air starts to get crisper, just move over to a fire pit. This warm conversation pit will keep the party going into the wee hours. Don’t worry if you don’t have one already—there are tones of affordable portable options out there.

38 garden party ideas to set the scene for outdoor celebrations

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Get ready to welcome guests into a beautifully styled space with our garden party ideas. Elevating your garden into a party playground for everyone to enjoy can be as big a job, or involve as few touches as you desire.

 Choose a garden party theme or colour to add decorative touches, maybe echo the colours of surrounding flowering shrubs and plants. Adding tablecloths, seat cushions and napkins are all great garden party ideas and they’ll help to reflect your chosen colour palette and unify your outdoor space. Draped fabric looks pretty for summer garden ideas for parties and will give extra protection from the sun if the weather is too hot to handle.

Extend your theme into other areas by stringing up large brightly coloured paper pompoms or other garden party decorations such as bunting. Flowers in the same shade add well-thought-out detail.

‘Our gardens and outdoor spaces have increasingly become the preferred destination for gathering with family and friends, so make sure your setting is ready to host,’ advises Emmie Brookman, Creative Director, Silver Mushroom. ‘It doesn’t have to be as extravagant as a pergola, but comfortable furniture and a good BBQ should be at the top of your list.’

Get set with our garden party ideas that will help you celebrate the warmer months this summer. 

‘For a romantic, bohemian vibe, add lanterns, twinkly lights, and blankets,’ suggests Patrick Bridge, chief operations officer, Harbour Lifestyle. ‘Sources of heat, such as firepits, heaters and tabletop fires allow you to enjoy your garden comfortably when the temperature outside is less than appealing. 

‘Plus, installing these impressive displays enhances the aesthetic of your garden, and also provides lighting for those evenings when you just don’t want to go back inside yet.’

1. Decorate your table with flowers

(Image credit: Future PLC )

You’ve got your linen tablecloth, beautifully folded napkins, lighting in situ and nibbles at the ready. It’s time to add colour and life to your table setting. 

Even if your table is small it’s worth placing a vase or two on the table, if there’s not much room then opt for narrow and tall, it will take up less space but still give your table a colourful lift. And if you have flowers growing in your garden then cut them especially. 

2. Opt for a Moroccan theme

(Image credit: Raj Tent Club)

Create a central focal point with a themed tent. Weather permitting, you can keep it up for most of the summer and even sleep out during the warmer evenings.

‘A decorative tent is a practical yet elegant way to create a multi-purpose outdoor living space that can be left up throughout the warmer months,’ says Nicky Marks, founder, Raj Tent Club. 

‘From a sumptuous shaded lounging area to a dramatic setting for drinks or dining, personalise the look and feel using draped fabrics, garlands, lanterns, tea lights and layers of cushions for comfort. Hang pictures or mirrors from the tent frame, and use indoor furniture, be it vintage or modern, to put your stamp on the space.’

3. Embrace table settings

(Image credit: The White Company)

Often, it’s the small details that mean the most, and adding a styled touch like a beautifully folded napkin for a touch of foliage will make your guests feel special.

‘It’s a small thing, but a lovely napkin just makes a table and adds a sense of occasion. You can keep the table informal and fun, I love to add in a piece of seasonal greenery and if it’s a special evening tie on a named place card,’ says Chrissie Rucker OBE, founder, The White Company.  

Founder, The White Company

Chrissie Rucker OBE, started The White Company in 1994, when, unable to find well-designed, beautiful quality white bedlinen that were affordable. Today, it’s one of the UK’s fastest-growing multi-channel retailers and trusted lifestyle brand. 

4. Choose rechargeable table lights

(Image credit: Pooky)

We all love candles and tealights, but for a more bourjois elegant look consider table lamps that are rechargeable – and super stylish to boot. 

‘Our Freya portable lamps which are ideal for taking outdoors when the occasion calls.  A little piece of lighting that will bring a warm twinkle to your patio and pergola areas once restrained by lack of power outlets or cord lengths. With 10 hours of glow time, our portables can be taken anywhere, particularly helpful as evenings draw in or to your garden to bring the party outside,’ suggests Jo Plant, dead of design, Pooky.

5. A perfect rain solution

(Image credit: ILIV)

If the weather forecast is hit and miss then a Plan B is always worth having. Spruce up your garden room ideas with a wild garden theme. Forage branches and weave stems in and around where you can for an authentic feel.

‘Add a table and some chairs along with some soft furnishings to give the space a welcoming feel, it will have a significant impact on the overall feel of any space and will help an area feel inviting – add layers of textiles, such as throws, cushions and curtains to create a comfortable space that guests can enjoy into the evening,’ suggests Debbie Leigh, design manager, ILIV.

‘Botanical designs work well in any garden setting, try combining leafy prints and pretty botanicals in soft greens and pastel tones for a relaxed, informal vibe.’  

6. Take an eco-approach

(Image credit: Talking Tables)

With sustainability at the forefront of our minds, it’s good to source pieces that support this key aspect. 

Talking Tables have a range that features upcycled fabric, plantable seed paper place cards and napkins and plates made from recycled paper. The beauty of this is that you can gift guests the place cards to plant after the event. 

7. Choose benches if space is tight

(Image credit: Neptune )

Small gardens can be challenging when it comes to garden party ideas, but there is one seating solution that you can adopt – benches. 

They take the bulk away and allow more people to sit down than trying to squash chairs in. Use them each side of the table with chairs at each end, make them cosy with seat cushions in pastel shades. 

8. Illuminate from dusk to midnight

(Image credit: Lights4Fun)

Garden lighting ideas, aren’t just functional but can be beautiful too. ‘Weave an enchanting atmosphere throughout your garden party with the classic warmth of traditional festoon lights. Choose from battery, plug in or solar powered options to brighten your outdoor space as you come together and celebrate long into the evening,’ says Lucy Kirk, creative & photography manager, Lights4Fun.

‘Simply swag each string of festoons up above, adorning trees, summerhouses or garden fences, and affix with fishing wire or discreet cable ties to bring an ambient glow to your get-togethers. Complete with colourful solar lanterns hung on surrounding tree branches to add a playful touch, creating the perfect setting for entertaining at home.’

creative & photography manager, Lights4Fun

 Lucy Kirk is the creative & photography manager at Lights4fun, the UK’s leading decorative lighting retailer. Lucy’s mission is to inspire people to create their own moments of magic through beautiful lighting and imaginative styling that spans all seasons.

9. Keep your grass spick and span

(Image credit: Carpetright)

If you’ve got an abundance of garden parties planned but don’t want guests squelching in mud, then opt for artificial grass instead. 

‘Whether you have a small patio or a large garden, artificial grass and its natural, vibrant and life-like appearance allows homeowners to enjoy their outside space, without the hassle of continually maintaining it,’ says Sarah Hooper, grass buyer, Carpetright.  

‘From casual entertaining to formal dining, artificial grass works for the whole family for every occasion – it is even pet friendly so your four-legged friends can enjoy this versatile covering. It is also hygienic and easy to clean so if you have any accidental spills while hosting, they can simply be washed away with water.’ 

10. Organise your furniture layout

(Image credit: Bridgman )

Use a variety of seating arrangements if you’re planning on having a large garden party. 

‘For small gardens and patio areas, opt for multi-functional and practical furniture. A small modular sofa set allows you to dine and relax in one place, while bistro sets and stacking chairs can be easily put away when not in use. Footstools also offer the option of both a place to put your feet up or extra seating that doesn’t take up too much space,’ advises Francesca Hadland, interiors expert, Bridgman.

Interiors expert and content manager, Bridgman

Francesca Hadland is the Interiors Expert for Bridgman. Since graduating in 2020, she has immersed herself in all things home and garden, working across home staging, luxury furniture and garden design, as well as attending Interior Styling courses at the University of the Arts London. She keeps her pulse on emerging trends to help her in her role as interiors expert and content manager at Bridgman. She is currently transforming her first house just outside of London.

11. Set a theme

(Image credit: Future PLC /Robert Sanderson)

Rather than simply decorating your table, or wherever the focus of your party is, look to your space as a whole. Once you’ve decorated the main event, pull out the main colours, textures and patterns, and replicate these elsewhere. Think outdoor rugs, cushions on other seating zones, and other decorative elements.

‘Don’t let attention to detail go amiss, the same principles apply externally as they do an interior project,’ says Emmie from Silver Mushroom. ‘Your outdoor space should be an extension of your home, so make it comfortable and accessorise the same way you would indoors. Introduce cushions, throws, candles and bowls, after all you can always take them back inside if the weather turns.’

For a true cohesion, match your colour scheme to a statement bloom in your garden.

12. Hang bags of snacks

(Image credit: Future PLC/Graeme Ainscough)

Garden party ideas are all about having a bit of fun. Turn simple snacks into a pretty display with little time or effort needed.

Block print paper bags with summery fruit or floral motifs. Fill with snacks – look to the lighter side, so pretzels, popcorn and so on. Use clothes pegs to hang to string or wire against a wall and you’re done! A sign won’t go amiss, either, so everyone knows to get stuck in. You could also write on allergens, to keep things super safe.

13. Turn your shed into a bar

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

These days, garden sheds are more multi-purpose than ever before. Make yours work harder by upgrading it into an at-home bar.

Create garden bar ideas by cutting in a serving hatch and creating a bar top. This way you can serve drinks from one side, while guests can sit on weatherproof bar stools on the other. Keep the shed a neutral colour  and switch up your bar and glasswear to match the theme of the event at hand.

14. Add atmospheric lighting

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dominic Blackmore)

Instead of electric lighting embrace the flicker of a candle when the sun starts going down. Stick to your garden theme by using terracotta plant pots to hold candles.

Fill the pots with sand or soil and dig in holes for simple tapered candles. It’s not only a pretty and appropriate centrepiece, but it’s a comparatively safe way to enjoy to candlelight thanks to the materials used.

15. Prepare cooling cocktails

(Image credit: Future PLC/Charlotte Tolhurst)

What’s a garden party without a signature cocktail? Choose your favourite mixed tipple and arrange on a rustic tray to offer guests upon arrival. Use seasonal garnishes, like mint or edible flowers, for added impact.

For non-alcohol drinkers, making a mocktail in either the same colour or glass will help them feel included. Don’t do both or things could get confusing!

16. Pretty up your patio

(Image credit: Future PLC/David Brittain)

Whether all you have is a petite patio, or if you have one leading out onto a lawn, this space can be utilised for garden party ideas. If the latter, think of it as being the entranceway into your party, so you really want to try and set the scene for what’s to come.

Either way, layer up bunting, other wall hung decor, your prettiest cushions and outdoors rugs. If it’s the entrance space, include your welcome drinks at this point. If it’s your whole outdoor space, choose slimline outdoor seating ideas so a few guests can rest their feet without using up too much square footage.

17. Get labelling

(Image credit: TBC)

If you’re hosting a meal at your party, there are a lot more variables to take into account. Prevent constantly having to answer questions by making sure everything in your outdoor kitchen or BBQ area is clearly labelled.

Think about what people would most likely be looking for. Cutlery, condiments, glassware and napkins are all prime example. Logs for stocking up the firepit, or ice buckets for cooling drinks are also helpful to signpost.

18. Set up smaller seating areas

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Whitmore)

In every party – indoors or out – it’s a lovely idea to make sure you’re as set up for private conversations as you are group chats. A couple of sets of smaller seating zones provide the opportunity for guests to sit together and talk or flirt the day away.

19. Hang an overhead display

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dobbies)

Suspended flower displays have become the go-to trend for dinner parties and festive gatherings, and now that trend is going outdoors. Fashion a simply wooden frame over your alfresco dining table to hang an array of votives or even potted plants to add a decorative touch to the setting. Tie the lanterns and pots onto the frame using garden twine, to keep the look understated and rustic.

20. Pile up comfy cushions

(Image credit: The Range)

When entertaining in the garden one of the most important things to consider is the comfort of you and your guests. Because unlike when you have people over indoors, the garden doesn’t always offer a squidgy sofe to nestle on. You therefore can’t go wrong with a pile of comfy cushions to make any area a comfy seating solution.

Preferably choose cushions in outdoor fabrics to make them weatherproof – or simply be alert to take them all indoors should it rain.

21. Create a cosy grouping around the coffee table

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dobbies)

Moving your outdoor furniture to mirror a living room layout goes a long way to set the scene for a more intimate soiree. Centring your garden sofa and chairs around a coffee table creates an informal laidback feel that will make your guest feel very at home, in an unfamiliar yet familiar setting.

22. Extend a warm welcome

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Scarboro)

We’ve waited long enough, charm garden-party guests at the door with an all-singing, all-dancing display. Make them feel instantly welcomed and ready to party with a jolly greeting on arrival. 

More than just a great way to say welcome,  a message board is ideal to highlight if you’re celebrating an occasion. Write a happy greeting message or  declaration of love for all to see, to set the tone for the garden party. You can transform any surface into a message board with a simple coat of chalkboard paint.

23. Play lawn games

(Image credit: Future PLC/Jon Day)

Garden party games are a fantastic ice breaker and will be a huge hit with guests of all ages. Stick to the classics such as hoopla and skittles and invest in good-quality wooden sets (no-one likes to see bits of lurid plastic dotted about the garden!).

Classic wooden garden party games will look more sophisticated and will last for years to come. Croquet is an absolute garden party must, though the giant tumble tower looks pretty inviting too. Set out comfy deckchairs for spectators.

24. Craft a café style menu board

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

For evening soirées in the garden, put an old chopping board to a new use – as a chic menu board. Use a chalk marker to carefully write out your menu. Unlike on black boards, these pens can’t be wiped off a porous material such as wood, so use a faint pencil mark to give yourself guide lines before you start.

If you would rather not write on the wood, use string to attach a card menu to the board, tying the string around the handle and stand it up for guests to see.

25. Create an instant party vibe with balloons

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Scott)

Nothing says there’s a party quite like simple balloons and bunting! Add a splash of colour to your garden party table by decorating with striking colours. Hang bold bunting and balloons to instantly brightening the occasion. You can even make your own paper bunting, giving you total control over the colour scheme.

26. Stage a play area

(Image credit: Future PLC/Tim Young)

Up the fun factor for the kids by staging a dedicated play area. Place the sandpit, slides and any other kids entertainment in one zone within the garden, so it zones a play area especially for them to enjoy while the adults relax on the outdoor sofas. Add a chalkboard for added fun, even writing a personalised message to welcome play for little ones.

For safety place this area a safe distance from any outdoor cooking areas, but in clear sight of the seating area so parents can keep a watchful eye while they play.

27. Add colour with paper pom poms

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Scarboro)

Deck out your garden party with paper pom pom decorations if you’re bored of bunting. Hang them from trees, beams, washing lines and window frames to create an instant and fuss-free party vibe. You can get crafty and make your own party decorations or buy them if you’re pushed for time. We love these pastel paper honeycomb decorations from Talking Tables. 

And if you’re making your own, use patterned paper to add a vibrant touch, go monochromatic for serious sophistication, or all white or all black for a striking display.

28. Get the party started with a pinata

(Image credit: Future PLC/Mark Scott)

Children – not to mention adults – love to play this fun garden party game. Fill the pinata with sweets and hang from a branch for all ages to take part and enjoy. Assign different areas of your outdoor space to different activities. Create lounging areas for grown ups interspersed with games-themed points for younger party goers and everyone will be happy.

29. Fashion a balloon arch

(Image credit: Ginger Ray)

Throw  a party like a celeb with the addition of a fashionable balloon arch. Whether framing your feating table to used over a garden fence a balloon arch is just the thing to make a big statement for your garden party. Just be sure to keep it out of direct sunlight, because balloons are likely to start bursting under the heat.

Follow our easy steps on How to make a balloon arch  to make a blow-up party backdrop that’s sure to impress your guests.

30. Make quirky plant pot party servers

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Since you’re already in the garden, you might as well make use of the supplies at hand. Plant pots are a quirky but practical way to display garden party cutlery, napkins, straws and more – particularly when you choose dining accessories in complementary colours.

Either use brand new ones or give your existing pots a good scrub and clean – you could even line them with a smaller drinking glass – then add chalkboard sticky labels with charming Alice in Wonderland-style directions.

31. Set out a Bake Off-style cake table

(Image credit: Future PLC/Dan Duchars)

Set up a table of sweet treats. This tempting garden party cake display looks (almost) too good to eat, while the bold colours and mismatched prints create a fun, vintage feel. To add a competitive edge to your garden party, why not invite your guests to take part in your very own bake-off?

Just ensure you get a list of entries in advance as you don’t want to end up with three Victoria sponges and no lemon roulade! And don’t forget the rosettes, which will look as pretty pinned to the wall as they will on the winners’ lapels.

The Cotton Bunting Company have a fabulous selection of bunting for all occasions. 

32. Create a fun filled photo booth

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Scarboro)

No party is complete without a photo booth! Capture the fun times perfectly but a homemade booth, leave a camera out and some fun props to encourage guests to snap away. The garden provides the ideal backdrop to ensure beautiful photos.

Go one further and create your very own DIY photo backdrop idea to take the even more memorable snaps.

33. Set up shade during peak hours

(Image credit: Future PLC/Debi Treloar)

Provide seating in shady areas so there is always somewhere for guests to sit back and people watch. Choose spots with pretty views out across the garden and use matching slip covers and co-ordinating cushions on mismatching chairs. Plus a garden party gazebo means the celebrations can go on even if it starts to drizzle.

Seek garden shade ideas to ensure your guests are safe from the sun at the hottest parts of the day, between 12 and 2p.m.

34. Stage a makeshift bar area

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Scarboro)

Buy garden-party glasses or move glassware and drinks into the garden so guests don’t have to keep returning to the house to refresh their glasses. Include ‘drinks stations’ like this one and dot them around your garden. It will mean guests can help themselves, leaving the host free to mingle to her heart’s content.

This trunk is pretty in pink table linen and has been used as a perch for champagne, an ice bucket and glassware. Choose stylish pink and clear plastic over glass to avoid breakages on the terrace.

Try John Lewis’s Ripple plastic wine glasses in various colours.  

35. Make it personal

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Scarboro)

Never misplace your glass again – and as we navigate our way out of the current rules and regulations, not mixing glasses has never been so important. Keep tables smart and organised by giving out charms that will help guests keep track of their drinks – fix the charms around glass stems.

You could also send out invites that can double up as pretty drinks coasters on the night – ask your guests to bring them along to use at the party.

36. Jazz up summer drinks with style ice cubes

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Serve cooling drinks with a little something extra, with thanks to styled ice cubes. Choose your ice cube tray, shaped ones are more fun e.g stars or hearts. Place a few fresh pomegranate seeds in the bottom of each and simply fill to the top with water and sit carefully in a freezer drawer. Make sure you do this the night before you want to use them.

These fruity pops of ice are a cinch to make and will take your party drinks from standard to standout delish!

37. Illuminate pathways for guests

(Image credit: Future PLC/Simon Scarboro)

If you are lucky enough to have a large garden, it pays to signpost walkways so you can guide guests to different areas. Lines of paper-bag lanterns will help illuminate any uneven surfaces or steps and look pretty as a picture into the bargain. Use battery-powered lights rather than tealights inside the bags so you can leave them unattended. Pop a weight, such as a stone, inside each bag if conditions get breezy.

38. Make individual serving pouches

(Image credit: Future PLC/Polly Eltes)

Make packing the essentials for outdoor eating easy with these hand-made picnic pouches. Fold an A4 piece of brown paper in half. With a sewing machine, use a long stitch to create a pouch. As you run the stitches up the last long side, neatly slip a little sachet each of salt and pepper under the machine foot, so they become attached to the pouch, too.

Finish the pouch with a piece of decorative string or ribbon and attach a personalised label.

All your garden party needs now is a hearty dose of summer sunshine.

How do you make a garden party fun?

‘No good garden party would be complete without the perfect food. From BBQ staples to decadent desserts, pick scrumptious recipes to wow your guests,’ suggests Francesca Hadland, interiors expert, Bridgman.

‘Elevate your garden birthday party by transforming it into an intimate alfresco cocktail evening serving summer tipples around a beautiful bar set. Mix up a storm yourself or allow your guests to play mixologist for an extra bit of fun.’

How do you host a good garden party?

‘As an easy quick-fix, lanterns and candles are your go-to. They have such a warming and welcoming effect and can easily transform a tired, unused outdoor area. The more candles the merrier, scattered in every corner, across your dining table, as a runner,’ says Jo Plant, head of design, Pooky.  

‘Furniture – the foundation for any good garden gathering. Transform your outdoor space into the ultimate hosting destination by paying attention to your space, seating and colour scheme. Bring indoor touches outdoors to give your garden party a stylish edge. A fully upholstered sofa will give your patio a contemporary edge, finished perfectly with scatter cushions for a pop of personality,’ adds Francesca. 

What can I do for a garden party?

There are endless ways to make your garden set up for an outdoor party. The first two things to bear in mind are what space you’re working with, and what theme or style you wish to portray. The former will dictate how many guests you should look at accommodating, as well as how you will lay out your space. In a smaller area you might have to sacrifice seating, or a large table spread, in order to fit everyone in comfortably. 

Once your theme is in mind you can start planning decor and accessories. After all, it doesn’t make sense in having a white party when your garden is filled with pink roses and all your tableware is bright yellow!

How do I make my garden look like a festival?

For a festival theme to your garden party there are a few things you’ll want to include. Get creative with decorations – pretty bunting, flower arrangements and hanging paper decs from trees all look great. 

Comfy seating is a must – the lower to the ground, the more of a festival vibe you’ll achieve. Think pouffes, bean bags and outdoor rugs. Lighting is also key, so layer up fairy and festoon lights, along with atmospheric candles and firepits.

Summer garden party: 10 decor ideas

Decor Tips

Flowers, fabrics, pillows and blankets, garden furniture, hammocks and swings – all this will help turn your summer cottage into a playground for summer parties, children’s parties and soulful evenings with loved ones. Summer is so short – so let’s spend it with benefit and pleasure!

1. Blankets, pillows, bedding

Blankets, pillows, picnic mats, parasols, sunbeds – all this is the main must have for any outdoor pastime, whether it’s a party with friends or just a summer tea in the garden. Stock up on this in advance, so that later, if necessary, quickly equip an outdoor recreation area.

Textile, H&M Home.

Photo

@stiltje.se

And don’t forget the dishes. Porcelain of light shades with floral, marine motifs, glass (transparent and colored), ceramics are well suited for serving a summer table. Also, for tea drinking in the fresh air, you can use bowls with traditional oriental ornaments and light bowls made of colored transparent plastic (such are the Italian brand Kartell).

Textile, H&M Home.

2. Light bulbs on the trees

You can decorate your garden with simple electric light bulbs combined with boho-style wicker decor by hanging them on tree branches. You can complement the lighting decor with compact portable battery-powered lamps, placing them on tables and on the ground: with this design, you can arrange night parties until the morning.

3. Homemade wreaths

Homemade wreaths made from herbs, wildflowers and twigs can be used throughout the summer. They can be hung not only on the door of the house, but also hung on the branches of trees in the garden. Beautiful and elegant!

3. Hanging candle holders

Decorating your garden with candles is a good idea that will come in handy not only for the holidays, but also for ordinary summer evenings. For such a decor, both purchased candlesticks (sold at IKEA, as well as in all large hardware stores such as Leroy Merlin or OBI) and home-made ones, having built them from ordinary glass jars, are suitable. To attach candlesticks to branches, use metal wire, household twine or tape.

4. Light canopy

Light canopy not only for your bedroom, but also for the garden. You can build it from a piece of light translucent fabric, simply by hanging it on the branches of a tree. Instead of fabric, you can use a canopy for a crib, shawls or a pareo with a colorful ethnic pattern.

You can cover the ground with polyethylene or tourist foam, and put a beautiful carpet or a bright blanket on top and throw in pillows – this way you will get a beautiful oriental-style tent.

5. Decorative pompoms

When the weather permits, you can hang these decorative pompoms in your garden. Children especially like them, invariably causing them delight, so this decor is good for children’s birthdays and holidays.

6. Garlands

What a garden without garlands! But before hanging them nicely, make sure they are suitable for outdoor use

Photo

Getty

0002 Who said that a rain awning has to be ugly? Here are some examples to prove that this is not the case.

In the absence of a ready-made awning, you can build a beautiful tent yourself by decorating an ordinary piece of transparent polyethylene with multi-colored ribbons – if you try, it will turn out no less impressive!

8. Chinese lanterns

Chinese rice paper lanterns with or without built-in LED lights are a win-win solution for garden decoration. They look especially beautiful if you hang them in picturesque groups and decorate them with colorful ribbons: the balloons will flutter beautifully in the wind, creating a festive mood.

IKEA has similar rechargeable ball lights. They are powered by a battery that is recharged by sunlight and do not need to be plugged into an outlet. Due to the absence of wires, they can be used anywhere in the garden. And LEDs last 10 times longer than conventional incandescent bulbs.

Photo

IKEA

9. Swings and hammocks

Pump up your garden swing with bright decor and soft pillows. A battery-operated chandelier, which can also be hung from a tree, will help add atmosphere. Romantic mood attached.

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10. Floral decor

And of course, we should not forget about the flowers, which are abundant in the garden in summer. Fresh flowers will look great on the festive table. And besides, you can hang homemade vases from bottles on tree branches or build flower curtains using cut flowers and fishing line – there are a lot of options, it’s all up to your imagination!

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• summer

06 Leave the intricate fads and fuss for winter fun – now is the time to relax and forget about worries!

A summer party in the country is a great idea: you don’t have to spend hours at the stove for a gourmet dinner and spend time cleaning the house and other preparations. Make your life easier with an outdoor party. Apart from snacks for a summer party, all you need is simple street decorations – they will not cost a lot of money, and some you can even do yourself. For your attention – a number of ideas on how to have a party in the country or organize a matinee.

Corynne Pless

1. Make a quick table out of ordinary goats
Do you have enough furniture in your garden to throw a dacha party for a big company? Take a couple of ordinary wood sawing goats (you can borrow from neighbors) and cover them with several boards or one wide board (an old door, a large mirror) – and the party table is ready! An impromptu tabletop can be left as is, painted, covered with a tablecloth or parchment paper.

Corynne Pless

2. Turn a wooden crate into a freezer
Any old crate lined with plastic wrap turns into a rustic open ice bin. Of course, this is not a real refrigerator, but it will do for beer and lemonade.

3. No box? Use any container
A garden cart, a wheelbarrow, an enamel bucket or even the back of a kid’s truck – any of these items can make a makeshift ice container for a summer party. Just put a film or a regular bag inside ─ you’re done!

Cezign

4. Give your garden bar a beachy look
If you’re having a summer party in your country house, the easiest way is to build a thatched roof or shed. Naturally, you do not have to order panels from palm leaves via the Internet – in Russia, from ancient times, roofs were made from reeds or ordinary straw. Attach them to the roof of a gazebo or shed for a summer party.

Celia Bedilia

5. Make candle holders in the forest style
Roll up a wide green leaf and place it in a glass jar. Then pour water and place a floating candle. Another option for a party is to wrap a piece of birch bark around a jar or candle holder and secure it with coarse string.

6. Or at the beach!
Pour a little sand into a screw-top jar for an unusual summer candle. One of the advantages of such a candle is that it is easy to turn it into a flashlight. Just tie a flexible wire to the neck and hang the jar on a tree. If you are afraid of starting a fire during a party, use candle-shaped LED flashlights or battery-powered electric ones.

Atlantic Archives, Inc.

7. Arrange flowers in lemonade bottles
Tall, narrow bottles can be a fun table decoration during a party. You won’t need any effort at all. Just line up the bottles in a row and put a flower in each of them. The best option for a party is daisies, gerberas and sunflowers.

Soapstone Werks

8. Don’t be in a hurry to be 100% ready
To make your summer party a success, involve your guests in the celebration. Ask them to help you squeeze lemons for homemade lemonade, turn the handle of an old-fashioned ice cream maker, or give them a pruner and send them to the garden to cut a bouquet for table decoration.

9. Seat all the guests at one big table
Such a feast for a party in the country is a great idea. If you do not have a large table, move two or even three together – the effect will exceed all your expectations.

Corynne Pless

10. Use old crates for trays
Vintage wooden soda crates are the perfect summertime party container. It is convenient to take glasses, vases, napkins, candlesticks into the garden in them – in general, everything you need for a party. Another option is to put such a box on the table. Let there be cutlery in one compartment in a glass jar, napkins in another, toothpicks or drinking straws in the third.

Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty

11. Create a special atmosphere with lanterns and signs
A good idea for a party is to mark the celebration area by placing a pair of lanterns with candles at the entrance. Place a board next to it, on which the menu will be written in chalk or simply: “Welcome!”.

Beckwith Interiors

12. Serve guests summer-only drinks
Fill a large pitcher with ice water and add lemon or orange wedges, mint leaves, berries, or even cucumber slices. A healthy refreshing drink is ready! You have no idea how many people would prefer a sip of water to a sweet soda.

Cassie Daughtrey Realogics Sotheby’s Realty

13. Set your table in the shade
There’s nothing worse than trying to appreciate a delicious meal while sitting in the hot sun. Therefore, if you are having a party in the morning or afternoon, place the table in the shade of a tree or under an awning. In extreme cases, you will have to spend money on buying a pair of umbrellas.

Cottage Home, Inc.

14. Don’t give mosquitoes a chance
If you have a pond in your garden, don’t forget to clean it regularly, otherwise mosquitoes will breed there. There are places where there are generally a lot of mosquitoes and midges, in which case it is better to organize a holiday during the day. Another option is to move dinner to the porch behind a mosquito net: this way you will still be in the open air and your guests will not be bitten by insects.

The Cousins ​​

15. Divide the garden or yard into several zones for a crowded holiday
How to arrange a party in the country, because it is not easy to entertain a large crowd of guests? To keep your backyard party fun, let them entertain themselves. To do this, create several points of attraction: a dining table, a campfire, a couple of chairs on the porch, and an outdoor bar. The guests themselves will be divided into several small groups, and it will be much easier to cope with the party.

Becky Cunningham Home

16. Pack your things for the summer holidays in advance
If you have a closet that stores jars, flower buckets, all kinds of coasters, tablecloths, candles and containers, you will greatly facilitate your life and will not frantically search for the right thing an hour before the guests arrive. Most of these items don’t even need to be bought, just collect jam jars, wash beautifully patterned tins – there you have vases and candlesticks for the party. And think twice before throwing away an old sheet. If there are no holes on it, it can be a great outdoor tablecloth!

Celia Bedilia

17. Create bouquets from what grows in the garden
Cutting flowers and branches in your own garden costs nothing and is a million times more interesting than buying. Take a look at your garden in a new way and pick something unexpected for a bouquet. Dandelions in a glass jar look charming, blooming onions look romantic, and an artichoke in a bouquet on the table will become not only a decoration, but also a conversation point – your summer party will be remembered for a long time.

18. Hang bouquets on a tree
Use an awl or drill to make two holes in the cans. Thread the wire through the holes so the jar can be hung from a tree branch. Now it remains only to put small bouquets of flowers in them. The jars themselves can be decorated with multi-colored fabric or left as is.

Thom Filicia Inc.