After a long (and lonely) winter, the warmer months are finally on their way – and we can’t wait to spend them in the long-awaited company of our family and friends.
As we all know, nothing quite welcomes the summer in like throwing the perfect garden party, a day full of sharing food, drinks and good times with loved ones. While the most important thing to the success of any party is, of course, whoever is in attendance, creating the perfect party atmosphere most certainly comes a close second.
So, as you perfect your playlist and prepare invitations, here are a few other hints on turning your outdoor space into an all-out party venue.
What’s Cooking?
No garden party is complete without food, so why not make the most of the opportunity to cook and eat outdoors for your guests?
There is a wide range of barbecues available on the market, whether you are an experienced grill-master or have yet to take control of the tongs for yourself. These days, BBQ food moves far beyond the old-school expectations of burgers and hot dogs, with modern outdoor grills equipped to cook almost any dish to perfection, retaining the intense and smokey flavour synonymous with the summer. Whatever the tastes of your guests, you’re sure to lay on a feast that everyone will love.
Of course, barbecues aren’t the only option when it comes to outdoor cooking. Why not invest in a home pizza oven? Pizzas aren’t the easiest food to master but once you have them perfected, it can be incredibly rewarding to turn out wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas at home – and it’s a skill that’s sure to impress your guests, too.
We like:
- Genesis II E-315 3-Burner Propane Gas Grill in Copper with Built-In Thermometer
- Pro 575 Wifi Pellet Grill and Smoker in Black
- Ooni Fyra 12 Wood Pellet Pizza Oven
Let The Music Play
It’s your party and you’re the DJ! There are plenty of carefully curated summer and party playlists available on streaming services if you’d rather just hit ‘play’ and enjoy the music, but it never hurts to spend a little time choosing the very best tracks for your party yourself.
Keep in mind which tracks, genres and eras will provide the perfect soundtrack to your party and be sure to take your guests’ musical preferences into account, too.
Finally, there’s little point in creating a playlist if you don’t invest in a high-quality speaker in order to play it.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Take A Seat
No garden is complete without beautiful patio furniture where you can gather with friends and family. There are a vast array of styles and sets available, with something to suit everyone and to complement every garden – if you’re preparing to welcome in your friends and family for a garden party, there’s never been a better time to invest in an elegant new garden furniture set.
Why stop at tables and chairs? Elevate the atmosphere within your garden by completing your surroundings with loungers and daybeds – the ultimate place to relax this summer.
Here at DDW, we like these:
- Dakota Fields Julietta Sun Lounger With Cushions & Table
- Alif Garden Corner Dining Set
- Dakota Fields Alamea 8-Seater Dining Set
Light It Up
Great lighting is essential when it comes to creating a party atmosphere.
Take a look at the way that your garden is lit while you are planning your party, as you’ll get a better idea of where to place your lighting in order to allow your party to transition from day into night. It’ll also help you to decide what style of lighting you’d like.
Remember, there’s overhead lighting, spotlighting, heated lighting – there’s plenty to choose from, so try to work with a range of lighting styles in order to land on the perfect combination. In a similar sense, why not also invest in a fire pit? Gathering around a warm fire with friends is the perfect way to spend any summer evening, especially after a great day.
We recommend:
- Jabanda Metal Firepit With Sandstone Legs
- Hykkon Keyshawn 40 Festoon Lights
- Dakota Fields Iulger 1 Light LED Deck
Cheers!
We know that this probably goes without saying, but no summertime garden gathering is complete without a few ice-cold drinks!
There’s nothing quite like an outdoor bar to pull a garden makeover together and to get a party started – especially if you’re planning on serving up some classic summer cocktails! Of course, if you would rather go for an option that can be stored away and brought back out for such occasions, there is a wide range of serving buckets and carts, too. Just fill with ice and allow your guests to help themselves to drinks.
Here are a few of our favourites:
The countdown to summertime is on!