If you're short on surfaces for serving guests, try this designers' go-to trick: lay a hollow-core door or thick piece of plywood over evenly-spaced sawhorses, cover with fabric and voila — a beautiful buffet table with plenty of serving space that can be broken down again and stored when the party's over.
With a simple mix of indoor and outdoor furnishings and easy supermarket upgrades, here are 10 ways to tackle an outdoor party that's equal parts pretty and practical.
With a simple mix of indoor and outdoor furnishings and easy supermarket upgrades, here are 10 ways to tackle an outdoor party that's equal parts pretty and practical.
Outdoor parties get all the indoor comforts with the home's elaborate covered seating area that includes a bar, lounge and fireplace and an outdoor kitchen.
No matter how small your outdoor space, make it pop with table linens and fresh flowers in look-at-me shades. Set up a beverage station so guests can help themselves, and add cushions or pillows to chairs -- comfortable furniture will entice guests to sit a spell.
This rustic outdoor table has been set up for a Fourth of July party, incorporating American flags, cupcakes with red, white, and blue frosting, hot dogs, apple pie, and beer.
Gold and gray make this outdoor party so sophisticated. Yellow glass pendants add light overhead and a narrow table runner is a delicate way to dress the table without the fuss of a large tablecloth.
Contemporary Outdoor Kitchen on Historic Roof Deck
This outdoor kitchen rests on the roof deck of a historic building on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago. The space features two grills, a prep sink and an outdoor refrigerator for holding outdoor parties and entertaining.
Pretty planters and a long bench topped with pillows transform this outdoor space into a picture-perfect setting for the owners' next garden party. Contemporary armchairs provide extra seating, or they can be pushed out of the way to clear the floor for dancing.
For your next outdoor get-together, fill your new bar and buffet with glassware, plates, napkins and other entertaining essentials. Serve snacks on the open shelf, and keep extra drinks chilled in the mini fridge.
This outdoor dinner party gets a tropical theme with a mix of blue and green place settings and a backdrop of sand and lush foliage. The brown wood of the table helps the bright colors pop.
