When you’re entertaining you’ve got plenty of plates in the air and an endless stream of questions that need to be answered: what will you serve? How will you manage the seating arrangements? Will there be a dress code? Will people get too cold? Have you invited any *gasp* vegans?
There are few things better than sinking a few cold drinks in the garden with great friends watching the day fade into night, breathing in the fresh air and laughing as time goes by.
Long lunches with friends, barbeques with kids running through the sprinklers giddy at staying up past bedtime, even an elegant cocktail hour or a fancy garden party that would be worthy of a feature in the society pages. When it comes to al fresco dining, the possibilities are endless.
Before you jump into the world of outdoor entertaining you’ll want to make sure your garden prepped, ready, all gussied up and most of all that it is up to the task of hosting a large group of guests. Here is your guide to some of the best outdoor furniture for entertainers available at Remarkable Furniture with a couple of tips on the food and beverage front thrown in for good measure, so scroll down and bring on the garden parties and al fresco lunches!
Outdoor Dining Sets
In 2020, we’re all missing Europe. The culture, the history, their cobblestoned streets, long summer days and their special ‘je ne sais quoi.’ So, whilst we may not be able to visit Europe ourselves, we can do as the Europeans do and take our dining outdoors. Who wouldn’t be keen to enjoy long lunches in the warmth of the day and sunset dinners? The first step, however, is having somewhere to host these epic outdoor meals. You’ll want to invest in a chic and practical outdoor dining set that is big enough to accommodate all the friends and family you’d want to invite around the table for an al fresco feast! You might only be looking for a romantic table for two or perhaps you’re looking for a proper banquet-style dining set capable of seating twelve or fourteen people. Whatever you need, there is an outdoor table on the market to suit your needs.
Once you’ve got the perfect outdoor dining set up, all you need to do is cook the perfect meal because what good is a great table if you are not backing it up with even better cooking. When you’re eating outdoors big share plates add to the communal feel. Think roasts, big fresh seasonal salads, bulk batch pasta dishes or seasonal veg done up on the barbecue. For more inspiration on the food front, head here to see some of the best recipes for outdoor dining as certified by one Jamie Oliver himself.
Outdoor Lounges
We all love our couches. They are the MVP of furniture. Supportive but comfortable – what could be better? So, take that comfort outside by purchasing an outdoor lounge. Step up the game by making sure your lounge is kitted out with waterproof cushions to protect them from the elements. From a style perspective, you’ll want to invest in some waterproof throw pillows. Throw pillows can add a pop of colour and tie your entire space together. Look for pillows that mirror a colour found elsewhere in your garden. Once it’s all styled you can get down to the easy stuff, actually using the couch. The marriage of indoor comfort with the exhilaration of being in the fresh air – an outdoor lounge is perfect for outdoor entertaining in small, intimate groups or for creating a breakout space for larger parties.
Fire Pits
Since the dawn of time, human-kind has been fascinated with fire. It’s spiritual, purifying, magical and, on a more down to earth level, reminiscent of nights spent around a campfire, sharing ideas, making memories and consuming one’s own body weight in marshmallows. Bring the magic of fire to your garden by investing in a fire pit. A chic and stylish fire pit is capable of becoming a functional focal point in any garden, drawing the eye of any party goer. Plus, come wintertime, a fire pit is exactly what you need to entice you to the garden and convince you to stay outdoors rather than cocooning yourself on the couch.
Outdoor Bar
We know what you’re thinking, ‘outdoor bars seem like something that should be reserved for 70s era hotels and perhaps any property belonging to Hugh Hefner,’ but, when done in a chic and understated way, an outdoor bar can be exactly what you need to take your outdoor entertaining to the next level. It doesn’t have to be a solid traditional bar but perhaps a chic vintage bar cart or an outdoor table that you set up as a designated bar area when you’re hosting outdoor cocktail parties. What should you serve at this bar? That’s entirely up to you but, if you want to read up on some inspiration before you pick your poison, check out these recipes for big batch cocktails your guests will love!
Solid Lighting
As much as a lights out, after dark party looks good on paper, in reality, you’re gonna have people tripping into a flower bed, straining to see the faces of the people they’re talking to and struggling to see the food on the plate in front of them. It’s a recipe for disaster. The remedy? Get some lights. Luckily there are plenty of chic and stylish lights on the market. From fairy lights that create a whimsical yet elegant feel to larger lanterns and table lamps to coloured decorative lights, there are a lot to choose from so you’re sure to find some that fit your aesthetic and your budget.
So, enjoy spending time with your loved ones in a place that you love. Outdoor entertaining can be refreshing, relaxing, romantic and, when done in your very own garden, the commute home just can’t be beat! Make the change and make the most of your outdoor space this year.