How to Design Your Backyard for Entertaining

Whether hosting a backyard barbecue or a birthday bash, your lawn is the perfect spot for outdoor entertainment. To create the right atmosphere, all you need are some simple decorations and an understanding of layouts to create a relaxing space that maximizes fun, comfort and entertainment for you and your guests.

Easy Backyard Decorations That Make an Impact

There are plenty of backyard decorations for parties that don’t require a massive budget or any major renovations. Work with what you have to enhance the existing landscape with colors and texture. There are several options that are easy to use and clean up when the fun is over for the day.

Porch Flags

Porch flags are versatile, easy ways to enhance your exterior and create a lively atmosphere. Guests can be welcomed by the flags and see them on their way into the house. From seasonal motifs to fun patterns, you can easily find flags to mark any special occasion.

Consider getting creative with your porch flags and hanging them along the railing or stringing them from trees. They’re the easiest way to add pops of color and fun to your backyard party.

String Lights

For those entertaining after sunset, string lights create an instantly magical atmosphere. From warm, orange hues to fun colors, you can use string lights to bring a sense of whimsy and excitement to your backyard.

For an even more magical ambiance, consider winding the lights around a tree. Choose LED bulbs for maximum energy efficiency.

Outdoor Rugs

The easiest way to create a center point in your backyard party space is to add an outdoor rug. This can help ground furniture, tables or activity centers and create an inviting, cozy atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy.

There are plenty of durable materials to choose from in a variety of colors and textures. It’s easy to find an outdoor rug that will suit your party’s theme and likely continue to be a beloved piece of outdoor decor.

Backyard Layouts for Optimal Entertaining

Entertaining outdoors can pose some challenges, but if you plan ahead and know your layout, it’s easy to put together a festive event that everyone will love.

Make Room for Open-Air Dining

Create a seamless flow from indoors to outdoors with long tables and a designated dining station. Allow guests to walk in a line, fill their plates and move onto a seating area. This not only keeps the food area flowing but ensures everyone can get their meals without running into each other.

Create Various Entertainment Zones

A movie projector with beanbags and lawn games like cornhole, bocce ball and miniature golf will allow people to easily mix and mingle during the event. These entertainment areas also encourage socializing and help prevent people from taking a backseat to the fun.

Don’t Forget a Beverage Station

Consider placing beverages and refreshments away from the main dining area, as people are more likely to frequently want refills. You can enhance the space with a DIY mixology station and various beverage dispensers to help guests stay hydrated during the event.