Transform your garden for outdoor entertaining

Now that the sun has finally appeared, it's the perfect time to ramp up your outdoor space for entertaining. From creating a homely living space outside to producing the perfect al fresco dining experience, these ideas are guaranteed to impress any guests you invite around.

Introduce a pop of colour

When transforming your garden to create the perfect atmosphere for entertaining, you can be more experimental with your overall design and ideas. Introduce bold colours in your garden through playful coloured garden furniture, or if you want to play it a little safer, go with more neutral base colours and add statement cushions and throws that can be swapped out for different occasions.

Build an al fresco dining area

Al fresco dining is one of life’s many pleasures, so by creating a permanent area for hosting summer lunches or catering for large dinner parties, you will always have the most perfect al fresco area to host. Identify an area in your garden and consider the dining arrangements. By using a classic, large, solid oak picnic bench, you can provide enough space for dining while creating a rustic look that can have colour and décor added.

Enjoy an outdoor kitchen

Outdoor kitchen spaces are all the rage at the moment, as they extend your living space outdoors. So, instead of being stuck inside cooking all day, you could consider installing an outdoor kitchen to add that extra wow factor when you’re entertaining. Consider the fluctuating weather in England and install an awning, or wooden frame and roof, over the outdoor kitchen and dining area, allowing you to cook and dine in any weather.

Create an outdoor living space

The divide between inside and outside has begun to blur as it becomes more trendy to extend your indoor living space outside. Take your outdoor living space to the next level by incorporating outdoor furniture that mirrors the aesthetics of indoor furniture, thereby creating the illusion that your indoor space is outdoors. Provide a soft, cosy look with this living space by adding fairy lights or an outdoor fire pit, creating an outdoor space that supplies maximum comfort.

Establish a focal point in your garden

When transforming your garden for entertaining outdoors, you want to create a focal point. This is an area where all your guests can gather for after-dinner drinks or an instant sociable atmosphere. Place a large, comfortable seating area with a firepit or heat lamp to gather around. A firepit will create light and depth in your garden. You could also construct an outdoor bar, which would add another focal point to your garden and provide an enjoyable activity of making cocktails.

Add outdoor lights

Outdoor fairy lights aren’t just for Christmas; you can also place them around your garden in the summer. Hanging fairy lights on your trees and bushes will give the garden a magical feel at dusk, creating depth. When transforming your garden for outdoor entertaining, think about the layout and what type of atmosphere or personality you want to create. Lighting, furniture, dramatic plants, or even beautiful water features can change the entire feel of a garden. Make your garden stand out but also exude a comfortable, homely feel.