As we enter a season of warmth, with long and bright evenings ahead, it can be the opportunity many need to begin hosting garden parties. Friends and family can be invited to a home without the fear of being confined and with the ability to soak up the sun, sharing food and games with others. However, while there are a number of advantages that make a garden the ideal space for a social gathering, there are essential considerations.
The layout and design of your garden, as well as its features and comforts, will come into play. They will affect how your guests enjoy themselves and, as a result, the overall experience of those attending. So, if you are looking to host a truly successful garden party, then you must first understand the fundamentals.
Safety First
Before you bring out the main course and music, you must consider how safe your guests are. This might sound straightforward with each attendee being in a residential garden but, especially during the long summer days, there are factors to consider.
Available shade, for example, can mean the difference between guests having fun all day and them feeling dehydrated or tired. If your garden space doesn’t have any natural shade, such as from trees, then consider setting up a gazebo or umbrellas to help guests stay cool.
You should also consider the positioning of your barbeques and firepits since these can not only cause harm but can lead to smoke drifting toward the inside of your home and those of your neighbours too.
Entertainment
Simply opening your garden space and welcoming others isn’t enough for success. You should consider how your garden’s design, as well as its features, can draw people in. Bars built inside log cabins, pizza ovens, outdoor activities, live music, and even a slip-n-slide are all ideas for entertainment that can change your get-together from a casual meeting to an unmissable event.
Be sure to compartmentalise your chosen activities, however, since not every guest will want to participate. Some will want to relax or sit down and, as such, should be offered a quieter area within which they can do so. By meeting the needs of each guest, allowing for various zones in your garden’s layout, you will find people inclined to spend longer in attendance.
Make It Beautiful
A neat and tidy lawn might make for a good foundation but it does not, ultimately, feel cosy or impressive. Be sure that your garden is decorated, given the same keen attention that you would give to your interior design. Colourful plant pots, stylish furniture, and complementary aesthetics are all additions that can elevate the appearance of your garden and please those attending.
Consider, too, other sensory stimulations, such as smell. Adding an array of aromatic plants to your garden can help guests to feel immersed. The feeling of comfort is also important. Hard, outdoor furniture can be practical for the weather but unsuitable for guests who want to relax. Be sure to make blankets and cushions available to those who want to feel comfortable.
