The Ultimate Summer Entertaining Guide

By Elizabeth Roehrig

Whether you're having your neighbors over for a casual barbecue or you're hosting a big backyard bash, relaxing alfresco is the way to go. You'll use our expert food, drink, and decor ideas all season long.

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Photo by Stephen Danelian

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Make Your Patio Pop

Prep your outdoor space for a party with these ideas from interior designer Taniya Nayak, host of HGTV's Destination Design.

1. Create zones. Think about foot traffic as you set up spots for lounging -- a bar area where people can mingle and a designated dining spot. Move indoor furniture outdoors if you need to, but keep pathways clear.

2. Choose a theme. Ethnic ones (think Greek, Moroccan, Mexican) lend themselves to selecting a unified menu, decor, and music, so you don't wind up all over the map.

3. Light it up. Place plenty of solar- or battery-powered lights on stairs and around seating areas for safety. Then wind strands of white holiday lights along porch banisters, railings, and columns to create soft ambience.

4. Stay warm. If it gets cool at night where you live, think about setting up a firepit or fire bowl. Leave cozy blankets out for guests to snuggle up in.

5. Dress up furniture. Cover an old picnic table with a length of budget-friendly burlap instead of a ready-made tablecloth; you can "hem" it with fusible tape. And give plain folding chairs a quick makeover: Slip white pillowcases over the backs and tie with ribbon.

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Comments (7)

anonymous wrote:

I love the way this patio looks and sggwingo thx for the towel information i will cover my glidder and swing/chair with towels sometimes you can find them pretty cheap. thanks everyone for the good tips, God knows i need them.

8/30/2010 05:33:07 PM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

I also wanted to know where to purchase the furniture in the photo above...the furniture listed by elzzad44-kitchen is NOT the same as in the photo. Can anyone tell us where to purchase teh funiture in the photo??

8/4/2010 10:32:16 AM Report Abuse

anonymous wrote:

backyard games

7/14/2010 07:48:40 PM Report Abuse

sggwingo wrote:

Our deck chairs have seen better days, but this year there simply were no funds to replace them. Solid color beach towels clipped at the back with laundry clips made pretty neat looking chair covers...they are washable too.

6/29/2010 09:08:11 AM Report Abuse

LISA_826 wrote:

It's easy to may the draws the u trow out from jar of jam and stuff can be use to make these lamps, just be creative and u can also use decorative stones to hold d candles in place.

6/14/2010 11:02:06 AM Report Abuse

elzzad44-kitchen1418324 wrote:

For Coloshea: The information is on the description for the 17th slide in this series, i.e. : ". . .From top to bottom: Red Cafe Bistro chair, $30; target.com Captiva Metal Occasional chair, $150; worldmarket.com Better Homes & Gardens Lake Merrit wicker chair, $50; Walmart stores Barrow armchair, $120; westelm.com Cindy Crawford Style Latigo wicker chair, $160; jcpenney.com"

6/1/2010 05:57:50 PM Report Abuse

coloshea wrote:

I would like to know where to purchase this furniture in the photo above. The Ultimate summer entertaining guide. Why would you not have this info in the Glamour Magazine or on the page under the picture?

5/14/2010 09:21:57 PM Report Abuse