Make the Most of Summer: Easy Ideas for Outdoor Entertaining

There’s something lovely about entertaining at home in the summer. Long evenings, doors thrown open to the garden and a table filled with food and friends can turn even the simplest get-together into an occasion.

And with a little preparation, you don’t need an enormous garden or elaborate plans to make it special.

Inspired by our latest edition of Life Magazine with The Guild of Property Professionals, we’ve picked out some simple ideas for making the most of your outdoor space while summer is still with us.

Create a Comfortable Spot to Gather

British summer weather likes to keep us guessing, so a little planning goes a long way. If your garden gets plenty of sunshine, consider creating some shade with a parasol, gazebo, or pergola. As evening arrives, strings of outdoor lights or lanterns can completely change the atmosphere and encourage everyone to linger a little longer.

And, of course, it never hurts to have a Plan B should the heavens open!

Give Your Gathering a Theme

A theme doesn’t have to mean fancy dress and weeks of preparation. It could be as simple as an afternoon tea in the garden with sandwiches, strawberries and Pimm’s, a colourful carnival-inspired barbecue or a relaxed beach-style evening with tropical touches.

Choosing a loose theme can actually make entertaining easier, giving you a starting point for everything from the food and drinks to the table decorations and music.

Think Beyond How It Looks

A beautifully laid table is wonderful, but some of the things that make an evening memorable aren’t necessarily things you can see. Music playing in the background, the smell of flowers or citrus, favourite summer foods and soft lighting as dusk falls all help create the atmosphere.

You don’t need to style every corner. A few thoughtful details can make your everyday garden feel very different.

Give the Garden a Quick MOT

Before inviting everyone over, take a fresh look at your outside space. A freshly cut lawn, swept patio and clean garden furniture can make an immediate difference. It’s also worth checking for those little jobs you may have stopped noticing, such as a loose paving slab, wobbly step or splintered piece of decking.

Then arrange your seating so people can easily sit, chat and move around without everyone being squeezed into one corner.

Enjoy the Space You Have

Perhaps the best advice is not to get too caught up in creating the “perfect” summer garden. Whether you have a large lawn, a courtyard, a patio or a compact terrace, outdoor entertaining is really about making the most of the space you have and enjoying it with the people you want to spend time with.

As this summer has been so hot, there’s no better excuse to pour something cold, put out a few nibbles and make the most of those last long summer evenings.

Inspired by “Entertaining with Ease” in the latest edition of Life Magazine from The Guild of Property Professionals.