Outdoor Entertaining: Backyard Décor

Watch our fun, easy tips for beautiful outdoor décor!

Work with your natural setting to make your next outdoor cocktail party one to remember. With a little careful planning and coordination, you can transform your backyard or patio into a simple, elegant venue. Avoid the complicated details and inspire great conversation with a few easy steps.

Expert Tip: Build ambiance through careful color selection, avoiding anything that clashes with the natural look of your venue.

Primary Colors

• Choose one dominant color and complement it with a few accent colors.
• Coordinate your primary color with the color of your home or nearby surroundings for an exciting effect. Avoid creme for a gray house, but orange and pink might be the perfect complement to a home shaded blue or green.

Bring natural colors to your table by matching floral arrangements with your tablecloth.

Accent Colors

Once you’ve chosen the primary color for your party décor, highlight it with brighter tones and accents.

• Find secondary colors on any outdoor plants, flowers or blooming trees and shrubs.
• Bring natural colors to your table, matching yellow plants with yellow napkins or tablecloths.

Expert Tip: Accents help brighten your event by making nature part of the decor.

Establish a focal point by grouping outdoor furniture.

Build a Focal Point With Furniture

The right focal point provides an aesthetic backdrop to the party while giving guests space to socialize and lounge. Here are some tips:

• Place furniture in groupings instead of scattering pieces around the lawn, patio or deck. Each grouping will be a focal point for your guests.
• Don't provide seating for all your guests: fewer seats force guests to mingle and prompt conversations.
• Set up low, round tables throughout the area covered with rich, colorful tablecloths. Reasonably priced patio pieces can be found at Plow and Hearth.

Add Warmth With Flowers and Candles

• Keep things simple and stick with a few colors.
• Place small arrangements on every table, with votive candles scattered around each.
• Choose flowers appropriate to the season: In Spring, use peonies and hydrangeas, while roses and orchids work better for hot summer days.

Bring extra life to your party with special items like the chiminea.

Final Touches

Add a few special décor items. A chimenea, for instance, is sure to add vibrancy to your event. Plow and Hearth offers several varieties of chimenea.

More Outdoor Entertaining Ideas

Signature Cocktails

Signature Hors d’oeuvres

Floral Centerpieces

Outdoor Entertaining Videos

Unique Appetizers

Breathtaking Floral Arrangements

Creative New Cocktails