Top 9 Backyard Party Ideas

There are very few things in life as pleasant as spending time in a well-kept yard on a cool, summer evening. You put time and care into maintaining your lawn, porch, or patio, so why not flaunt it during parties or gatherings? Here are a few ideas to enhance the lush, natural beauty of your outdoor space for all types of occasions.

• Patio Perfection

  Create a lushly lit oasis on your ordinary patio with a few potted plants and lanterns. This look is perfect for intimate gatherings with friends or families, sharing wine in the soft, summery evenings. Recreate this look by filling stone and cement pots with fresh flower plants and topiaries, and clustering them along the edge of your patio. Next, place a fewmetal lanterns of different sizes in front of the potted flowers, bring soft light to your display. This porch decoration is perfect for twilight gatherings. Photo from Style Me Pretty.

• Urban Renewal

  If you live in a bustling metropolis, your backyard may not be filled with lush greenery. For a spattering of nature in your concrete jungle, suspend a full, leafy garland across an archway or the overhang of your porch. Add interesting lighting by stringing various vintage light bulbs from single socket cords within the garland. This decoration is perfect for evening dinner parties or intimate get-togethers with friends. Photo from Inspired By This.

• Exotic Escape

  If you have a tiny table for two in your backyard, it may prove difficult to dress up for a birthday party or barbeque. It’s too small for a snack or beverage spread, but too large for a single ornament. This backyard party decoration is perfect for smaller tabletops, and incorporates a splash of tropical detail to your gathering. For this luscious look, arrange a large blown glass vase in the center of the table. Place one or two artificial, frond-like leaves in the vase to evoke an exotic ambience. Finish off this look by filling a glass dish with fresh or preserved citrus fruits, and arranging it on the table next to the vase. Photo from How to Decorate.

• Summery Succulents

  Pottedsucculents are the perfect embellishment for an outdoor, summer gathering. For this twilight backyard party decoration, line several pottedsucculents down the center of your picnic or farmhouse table, and surround with glass held tealights and fuel cells. Edge your gathering in glowing illumination by hanging stringed globe lights long your fence or wall. Photo from Pop Sugar.

• Starry Night

  Bring a bohemian ambience to your pergola and outdoor eating area with this backyard party decoration. Whether you are having friends over for brunch and tea or coffee and dessert, this look is perfect for your green space. Suspend a large, LED-litstar lantern from the center of your pergola, so its acts as a light fixture. Next, loosely weave a few linen table runners among the rafters of the pergola, bringing gauzy texture and shade to your décor. Lastly, garnish your table with leafy plants, such as boxwood, to add a splash of summery color. Photo from Molly Wood Garden Design.

• Country Chic Candles

  For your country-inspired backyard picnic or barbeque, try a few of these sparkling lights on your table or patio. For this delightfully rustic look, layer clear vase gems in the bottom of mason jars, and fill the rest with water. Place a floating candle in each filled jar, and finish each with a raffia tie around the neck. This rural look is wonderful lighting for warm, summer evenings. Photo from Pop Sugar.

• Pretty Picnic

  Host a memorable backyard picnic for a few friends using these few techniques. First, find a large, worn blanket or quilt to spread on a level portion of your lawn. Scatter decorative pillows of different sizes along the edge of the blanket, giving guests something to lounge on. Add a bit of structure to your arrangement by placing a vintage wooden crate tray upside down, so you can set drinks, snacks, vases, and candles atop. Finish off your relaxed setting by stacking a few wooden crates nearby, holding votive candles for light in the evening. Photo from Bash Please.

• Garden Glamour

  Create a sumptuous, regal atmosphere in your very own garden with this backyard party decoration idea. This look is particularly easy to recreate if you have trees to hang fixtures from. For this backyard wedding dessert table arrangement, securely hang a long valance from tall tree branches, and equip either side with gauzy curtains made of luxurious organza fabric. Next, hang sparkling, chandelier from the center of the valance, which will magnificently light the table below. Finish off this opulent look by filling two pedestal vases with voluminous, fresh flowers, and placing them on either side of the table. Photo from Wedding Party.

• Blossom Bottles

  Perfect for outdoor gatherings or luncheons, this display brings the exhilarating colors of the spring to your backyard party decorations. Recreate this cascading look by filling vintage bottle vases with vibrant, natural touch stems, such as orange poppies, white tulips, and peonies. Tie long strands of twine securely around the necks of each vase, and use the excess string to suspend the bottles from tree branches, fences, or walls. This simple, enchanting look is sure to catch the eyes of your Easter brunch guests. Photo from Style Me Pretty.