Outdoor Entertaining: Creating a Comfortable Space

It's that time a year when the BBQ season is winding down but for the last couple weeks of summer, take the time to go out with a bang!  My mother and I created a great outdoor living space today for her Labor Day BBQ and it looks amazing.



Here are a few tips:

1. Got outdoor furniture? USE IT! If you have a few wicker couches and or even some plastic chairs, do not haphazardly place them, create an outdoor living room! A spot for your guests to relax before your meal is served.








 2. If you have extra lawn furniture don't let it sit there without a purpose, add to the atmosphere!  We have a few extra lounge chairs that obviously no one is going to be using since my mom's friends are here to dine and not to swim so we opened the umbrella and placed some cushions on the chairs.  Instead of leaving the tables in between the chairs bare, we found some old lanterns in the pool house and put them on top.  Although this space will not be used, it keeps the flow going, no eye sores here!

 3. Create a Bar for your guests to help themselves to drinks.  Tired of serving and asking everyone what they want to drink?  Create a space where your guests can mix their own drinks.  All you need is a tub for ice to keep the drinks cold, a few plastic wine glasses and some napkins!  Having a trash bin outside is helpful to hint to your guests to dispose of their waste as the night moves forward. 

 4. Add an extra table! Having more guests than allotted table space?  Add an extra table close by to your main table so that your guests can still socialize and not feel put off by being at the "kids table." Use what you have, if it's a plastic table or steel, you can continue the flow of elegance by keeping table settings the same from one table to the next. 

 5. Preplan, Preset and Arrange! Do not wait until the last minute to set up your place settings. Obviously you want to enjoy your gathering and not be running around like a crazy person trying to get the finishing touches down.  Have everything ready to go before your guests arrive.  Set the tables, arrange the flowers and put the candles on the tables.  This will give you peace of mind and more socializing time.  Nothing is worse than a frantic host!

Flowers courtesy of Anna Just

 6. Buffet all the way! Create a buffet station inside where your guests can serve themselves come dinner time.  This will allow them to choose their place setting and help themselves to portions suitable to their taste.  It also creates a central place for you to clean up from. 

7. Always use serving plates and bowls and never place a bag of chips on the table! If you add to the atmosphere, your guests will feel well taken care of. Not to mention you can up the anty with a simple napkin and basket for chips, or a platter for grilled vegetables.  No one really wants to see what you cooked your food in. Presentation is key. 

8. Delegate! Let your guests help out, do not turn them down when the offer to bring food or drinks.  The more help you have the less stressed you will be.

And Voila!