3. Establish Cheap and Easy Outdoor Seating Areas For People to Gather
You’ll want to establish a few seating areas for people to congregate. This keeps the atmosphere light and casual and allows people to socialize naturally. Aim for at least 3 different sections: dining, casual lounging, and activity-based.
Dining
Usually backyard parties center around eating and drinking, so setting up places for people to set down their plates and drinks is key.
The easiest way to get up and running and party ready is to go with a traditional outdoor dining table setup. If you already have a table use that, but if you are going for a whole new look I love a farmhouse-style outdoor table, here’s a few of my favorites and they’re pretty reasonably priced too:
Related: Best Farmhouse Outdoor Tables
Of course, if you have some time (and the skills) you could spend a few days making your own farmhouse-style dining table. This one is pretty easy.
You don’t necessarily need your outdoor dining chairs to much your table. I’m a big fan of mixing wood with metal. I like these ones because they are stackable and work well with farmhouse-style design. If you are thinking white chairs are more your angle, I’d check out these white distressed metal chairs.
Book end your table with some cozy statement chairs to finish off the look. You can always move these around as needed and create another gathering nook for your party-goers.
If you want to change things up and allow for more people to mingle, I recommend setting up a bar with stools allowing for people to drink and enjoy but also have a place to set their drinks down while they check out some of the party activities.
This is by far my favorite bar setup, and you can easily get this done in one weekend. Just grab some bar chairs or stools to create a unique atmosphere.
Casual Lounge Space
Next you’ll want someplace casual for people to just sit together and chit-chat. Here’s were things can get really easy—we’re talking no sawing or nailing required!
Perhaps you want to splurge and get a hassle-free complete lounge set with all the bells and whistles. That’s fine, but just make sure you’ve planned out the patio layout and where the sectional is going to go in advance.
BUT, I love anything DIY.
Designing and making something yourself gives you more creative freedom, allows you to customize just about anything, and it is usually WAY CHEAPER.
You just have to know what your doing.
Here are some DIY outdoor lounges and sectionals that are so easy and look great you’d be crazy not to try them. We love Anna White’s plans at our house, you can check out my favorite projects below.
Related: Easy DIY Outdoor Furniture You Can Complete In a Day
Activity-Based Seating
Every party needs some sort of activity to help break the ice. Depending on the nature of the activity and where this activity is located you may or may not need a firm seating area. Maybe you’ve got one of those giant Jenga sets or a game of corn hole out going out on the lawn so you don’t need a lot of chairs. Maybe you’re activity is the fire pit in the back corner of your yard so you need seating that can easily be moved around with the smoke. You can always go with what you probably already have: folding camping chairs.
If you have the typical metal folding chairs (which you can easily find at garage sales), kick them up a notch with a fresh coat of paint. This multi-color painted chair look would definitely bring some fun and playfulness to your outdoor space, and if you already have chairs like these lying around it’s a pretty cheap upgrade.
For a more trendy version of the folding outdoor chair, you could get inexpensive versions to match with the rest of your outside decor.
And there you have it. Set up a few spaces for people to mingle, add a couple of accent tables and poufs here and there and you’ve got yourself some great spaces to gather!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks