Just because the 4th has come and gone doesn’t mean that the summer celebrations are over. And with Labor Day still several weeks away, there are plenty of fun- and sun-filled days left to host a lively outdoor event. “It wasn’t so long ago that outdoor entertaining meant a picnic in the park with a drink cooler, paper plates and plastic forks. If entertaining at home, it meant throwing hamburgers on the backyard grill,” designer Chris Casson Madden shares with HGTV. “Thanks to today’s growing trend of outdoor kitchens and rooms with all the comforts of interior spaces, backyard parties have become much more sophisticated.”
Whether you’re working with a full-fledged yard or a chic patio setup, raise the sophistication factor of your outdoor space with our curated selection of party-perfect seating, storage, and accessories.
House Beautiful’s design editor Hadley Mendelsohn explains: “Booze and barbecues go hand in hand, so you might want to turn a corner of your backyard into an al fresco bar, or just roll out a bar cart for the occasion. Add some greenery and stock up on the ingredients for your signature summer cocktail.” Luckily for you and your guests, our showroom is well-stocked with a range of bar carts fit for every design aesthetic. If your decor of choice leans in an industrial direction, look for a heavy-metal option like this aged and distressed bronze cart from Hooker Furniture. For a more rustic feel, embrace the warm, pastoral wood of Jonathan Charles’ walnut and wrought iron design.
If there’s more on the menu than cocktails, bring an outdoor-approved buffet or console table into the picture to create a focal point for showing off your festive refreshments. Crafted from an all-weather blend of wicker and rattan, this Tommy Bahama Blue Olive Buffet features four adjustable interior shelves for storing dishes and glassware. And the spacious tabletop is made from Weatherstone™, a durable UV-resistant and stain-resistant material that recreates the look and texture of natural slate.
One of the most important things to remember is to organize places for all of your guests to kick back, chat, and savor the spread in a relaxed, comfy setting. “Outdoor dining often comes with less-than-plush seating options. Compensate by draping cozy-making fabrics like chic Turkish towels over chairs and benches,” says ELLE Decor editor Rachel Swalin. Allow everyone to enjoy the merrymaking well into the evening with cushy seating additions for extra support, from tufted chair pads to velvety pillows. And soft, textural throws like this 100% cotton blanket from Global Views’ Chalet Collection work equally well as lightweight layers when crisp nighttime temps roll in.
During prime sunshine hours, cooling coverage is paramount. “An umbrella not only has the obvious task of providing shade, but it also helps define your outdoor space,” Real Simple editors detail. “If you have a yard that gets full sun, consider setting up multiple umbrellas and mini seating areas around the backyard or patio. These little shaded retreats will also encourage mingling at a larger party, as guests will congregate at the various seating areas.” Assemble colorful canopies — like this Brown Jordan double-vented umbrella — throughout your al fresco space to help define conversation zones. And ensure there’s a place for every visitor to unwind with a mix of patio benches, ottomans, lounge chairs, and loveseats.
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