Did Someone Say Garden Party?

Want to host a garden party that will be talked about long after the summer sun fades?

Whether it’s an intimate evening BBQ or a fun day of garden games, getting it ‘just right’ can be easier said than done. There’s the food to think about, drinks, music, seating…a plan B for if it rains…

Garden parties in the UK are never straightforward – but they are fun! All it takes is a little planning and you’re guaranteed a fun-filled event.

What you need

When it comes to being the ultimate host, there are a few key things you need to get sorted to make sure things run smoothly. Such as:

·         A cocktail bar

Nothing says summer quite like a cocktail, but as the host, you’ll be lucky if you have time to stand around playing bartender and taking elaborate requests.

The solution? Create a bar area. Set out spirits, mixers, buckets of ice, glassware etc, you could even print out a few recipes, that way people can have fun creating their own drinks.

If you’re not sure about letting people run riot with the contents of your spirits cabinet, how about mixing up a few big batches of cocktails in advance? You can then set these out in the designated ‘bar’ and let everyone help themselves.  

·         Seating

Even with playlists of hot summer tunes to dance the night away to, you still need to provide space for people to sit and relax.

Arrange groups of deck chairs or, if you’re short on outdoor seating, how about grabbing beanbags and cushions from inside? Throw down a picnic blanket, scatter them over and voilà – a fabulous chillout area.

·         Decorations

To give your party the edge, how about having a theme? Hawaiian, tropical paradise, flamingos, a traditional tea party, all are great ideas for summer. You can then follow this idea through with fun props and decorations, and even ask your guests to dress up.

·         Food

Barbeque, picnic, cakes or nibbles – whatever you put on the menu make sure it’s kept cool and covered before it’s ready to be eaten. That way you won’t serve up more than you’ve bargained for!

It’s also a good idea to section off an area where the food will be kept – so it doesn’t get littered with empty cups and other items. Ideally, this should be inside (so it’s protected from the heat and pesky critters) but if not, look for a  shady spot – and grab the cling film!

·         Lighting

Carefully placed candles and fairy lights, twinkling in bushes or draped across fences, can keep the party atmosphere alive as the sun goes down. Our top tip? Switch out regular candles for citronella ones and keep the mosquitos at bay.

·         Staying power

Want your party to last long into the night? Firstly, warn your neighbours (or better still invite them) and secondly, you’ll need to keep everyone comfortable. A fire pit or patio heater will work brilliantly but plenty of blankets to throw around shoulders will do the trick too.

Is your garden working for you?

As you run around trying to get ‘party ready’ you may find yourself re-evaluating your outdoor space. Does it really work for you? Is it lacking a proper seating or dining area? Are even the addition of party decks and fairy lights struggling make it look good? If this sounds familiar, then perhaps it’s time to make a change.

Composite decking boards is a great way to rejuvenate a tired-looking backyard. Making previously unusable space usable, tidying things up, adding interest, and above all else – making it look great!

Thanks to its many desirable qualities, composite decking doesn’t just make a fab base for patio areas either. It can also be used as fencing, made into benches – hey, you could even use it to build a bar area!

Why not take a look at the decking range we have available, here at Modern Garden, and for more advice on how to transform your garden into the ultimate party space get in touch? Backed by our help and expertise in composite decking, you could be amazing your guests with the ultimate party venue before the summer’s out. Cheers!