Outdoor Entertaining Essentials for Spring & Summer

Outdoor Entertaining Essentials for Spring and Summer - roomfortuesday.comHey friends- it’s Jacqueline! Since summer is right around the corner I thought I would continue the outdoor theme by sharing some of my favorite outdoor entertaining essentials. A few weeks ago I shared a huge roundup of outdoor rugs (which everyone seemed to love)! I’m happy to say we finally settled on this rug from the roundup. I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of having a rug with fringe or tassels on the end because it’s harder to keep clean. However, I loved the subtle geometric pattern and I think the black patio furniture will really pop against it once everything is painted. Now back to today’s post… there is nothing I love more than entertaining in the summer! I think many times outdoor spaces become an afterthought and we don’t fully see them as part of our home. I’m here to tell you the outdoors can be an extension of your house no matter where you live! Over the years I’ve complied a list of essential items for outdoor entertaining to make the most of your experience and help guests feel welcome. Click through to check out some of my outdoor entertaining essentials!

Click directly on my finds below to be redirected to the source.

01: 100-foot clear globe string lights // 02: carrillo napkins // 03: etched tritan margarita glasses // 04: black galvanized tub/stand set // 05: oval water hyacinth placemat // 06: cream melamine dinner plate // 07: oak paddle board set // 08: citronella sea urchin candle // 09: matte black flatware set // 10: crosby teak wood lanterns // 11: sonos speaker // 12: ikat geometric outdoor throw pillow // 13: outdoor melamine mixed dip bowls // 14: botanical wreath large matches // 15: cane pitcher // 16: short footed glass beverage dispenser // 17: marble coasters // 18: wood and marble server set // 19: faux concrete wood burning fire pit

There are a few key pieces in this roundup I believe every outdoor living space should contain: lighting (Number 1), music (Number 11), cozy textiles such as pillows and blankets (Number 12), and something to keep people warm in the evenings (such as a fire pit or heat lamp if that’s your thing – Number 19). The rest is just icing on the cake! I always try to have at least one, if not more, citronella candles to help keep bugs away (Number 8). No one wants to be eaten alive by mosquitos when trying to relax and enjoy a nice night with friends. For that reason I always keep a set of large matches close by (Number 14).

Outdoor Entertaining Essentials for Spring and Summer - roomfortuesday.comThe next, and obvious focus, is food & drink. I love preparing tasty bites and summer cocktails for friends & family. When it comes to the tablescape, I like to mix different textures, colors, and patterns to create a layered look. From this roundup I’m eyeing these gorgeous linen napkins (Number 2), these shatter-proof etched margarita glasses (Number 3), and this cane pitcher (Number 15)…. you’ll need that for these margaritas. Trust me, I’ve had Sarah’s margaritas and they’re the BEST.

Outdoor Entertaining Essentials for Spring and Summer - roomfortuesday.comWhether you’re hosting a summer dinner party with friends (like Sarah did here) or just planning a fun little get together, be sure to include some of these essentials into the mix.

Outdoor Entertaining Essentials for Spring and Summer - roomfortuesday.comI would love to know how you entertain in your outdoor space? Do you have an annual party, tradition, or maybe a birthday you celebrate outdoors every year? Maybe you’re like me and spend as much time in your outdoor living area as possible each spring/summer. Share in the comments below!

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3 Comments

  1. I LOVE being outside as much as possible when the weather is nice. I pretty much insist my family eat dinner every night on our patio in the summer months. We live in Vancouver, and strangely we don’t have many mosquitos in the city but we do have TONS of wasps. My kids are terrified of wasps, and the minute we bring food outside, the wasps take that as their cue to decend upon us. Last year we gave our backyard a makeover, and the best thing I did was hang this net from Ikea ( https://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/products/10148157/) over the table so we can enjoy dining outdoors. It keeps the wasps out and allows us a peaceful outdoor dining experience!

    1. Jacqueline says:

      Hi Kerri! This is SUCH a good idea! We get tons of mosquitos in the summer when the weather is hot, sticky and humid. I would have never thought about this for an outdoor space but it would be such a great alternative to getting eaten alive by bugs (or wasps). Ha! Thanks for sharing. :-)

    2. Same! I love eating outside, and love the net idea- so smart. I’m about to get our lawn sprayed for bugs this spring because mosquitos love me and Emmett is highly allergic to bees and wasps… I’ll have to report back and share if it helped :) xo