Decorating For Your Outdoor Summer Party

Stephanie Smith

The weather is warming up, which means it's time to fire up the barbeque and get your patio ready for entertaining! With all of the colorful products available, outdoor decorating is just as exciting as decorating inside your home. But where do you start? Here are some ideas to get you going.

Furniture. Make sure your patio furniture is clean and in good shape well before your party takes place. A wobbly chair or a wasps nest in the umbrella are the last things you need to worry about when you're ready to serve dinner. Trust me on this one! Make sure to wash down your table just before the big event to get rid of any dust or grime that has accumulated.

Plants. Plants are a great way to brighten up any patio. Fill some large terra cotta pots with begonias, petunias, impatiens, geraniums or any other flowering plant that you enjoy. Hanging flower baskets are a great way to add color and interest to smaller areas where ground space is at a minimum, as well as along fences. Visit your local garden center to check out their selection of plants and pots and then decide if you want to buy them already put together or if you'd like to create your own.

Lighting. There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing how to light up your evening soiree. Solar garden lights provide a soft light and don't require any wiring or much fuss. Clear outdoor string lights can be attached to canopies or along fences, just make sure they don't get hot and cause damage. Candles are a classic and are very versatile. They can be used in lanterns or in candle holders that are tall enough to prevent any breeze from blowing them out. Always be careful with candles, whether you're using them inside or outside, and remember to never leave them unattended. I've had to put out a deck fire caused by a candle holder that was placed on top of a pile of napkins to keep them from blowing away. The edge of the napkins flipped up in the wind and caught on fire, as did the wood table they were sitting on. Some fancy footwork and water from a garden hose saved the day.

Shade. Make sure you have a shaded area for those guests who want to be out of the sun. If you don't have a naturally shaded area you can create one using a patio umbrella or canopy tent.

Now that you have your basic setting ready, it's time to get down to the details.

Dishes, cutlery and cups. I recommend using plastic dishes and cups outside. They're light and easy to carry around, and your guests won't have to worry about them breaking if one gets dropped. They are also reasonably priced and are available in a variety of colors and designs. The same goes for utensils as well. To make your clean up easier, make sure to buy items that are dishwasher safe.

Accessories. To add that extra something to your party, pick up some colorful drink umbrellas, stir sticks, napkins and straws for your guests to use. Dollar stores are great places to find these items at affordable prices.

You don't have to go all out to have a great summer party, but these ideas are here to get you started and provide some inspiration. There are a lot of ways you can decorate to make your patio a more inviting and comfortable space, and your guests will notice the time and attention you put into it. Not to mention how much you'll enjoy spending time out there the next day with a cup of coffee and a good book!