Ahh, summer. It’s the time of year when the sun is shining and everyone is outside grilling. And what does having lots of barbecues mean? Lots of guests to share them with, of course! So with that in mind, we asked the experts for their best tips when it comes to keeping the crowd entertained in the backyard this summer so you can throw the best shindig on the block.

When preparing for a party, nobody knows better than design expert Kate Campbell of HGTV’s Decked Out. When prepping for your outdoor event, Kate suggests setting up “…‘zones’ to help maximize the function and flow of your outdoor living space. Just like the inside of your home, establish separate areas for cooking, eating and socializing.” If you know that there are going to be little ones out and about at the event, Kate encourages that hosts, “include a kid-friendly zone requiring minimal supervision with games such as badminton, sidewalk chalk, bubble makers and other activities that will keep children entertained and allow parents to mingle and enjoy themselves.One of my favorite things to do with an outdoor space is to create a ‘comfort zone,’ such as a hammock area or a conversation nook with built-in lounges.” Bringing the indoors out really upgrades the backyard experience and gives guests room to relax. 

While prepping your home and outdoor space is important, food at your event is the real star of the show. To get the scoop on the best grub for your gathering, we consulted Andrea Correale, President of Elegant Affairs Caterers. She emphasizes that, “it’s best to prepare all room temperature sides and salads to accompany your grilled items. This makes it easier to put out the main course and allows you to do all of the work ahead of time.” Her favorite dish this time of year? Two words—guacamole bar. Andrea prefers to “offer a guacamole bar complete with two or three different types of homemade guacamole, with plenty of veggies and interesting dippers on the side.” Not an avocado fan? We’ve got you covered there, too. Andrea suggests using summer fruits like watermelon to add a little pizazz to your salads. When considering your drink options, she claims that the best thing to do is “put out some pretty glass bell jars with spigots…and create a few signature mocktails or cocktails with signage to elevate the décor.” Delicious, refreshing and perfect for summer, Sangria is a great way to amp up your beverage game. Plus all of that fresh fruit looks so pretty floating in those glass jars. We love this White Strawberry-Lemon Sangria recipe that puts a summery twist on a classic wine cocktail. Elegant and yummy? We’re in. 

No backyard affair is complete without a little flair that reflects the style of the host and their home.  Clinton Kelly, style expert of What Not to Wear infamy, indicates that when decorating the table, “ you should always go with real silverware rather than disposable [because] those give off the vibe that your party is also disposable.” You can also light up your night by lining tables with candles and “the perimeter of your space with TIKI torches to create an intimate area, then arrange seating, lighting, food and drinks within that area and use table torches to highlight areas of interest, like beverage stations and the dessert table.”

The details are undoubtedly important, but perhaps the most important thing to consider is your crowd’s experience. LG Studio Artistic Advisor and all-around design guru Nate Berkus weighs in, “that the most important thing is to anticipate your guest’s comfort.” During the day, he says to “be sure to have everything ready for whatever a guest could have forgotten to bring themselves. We always leave SPF out in woven baskets and straw hats in stacks for them, just in case they need a little extra sun protection while out by the pool.”  As the party carries on, Nate suggests, “having baskets of blankets or sweaters around if the party is transitioning from day to evening—or keep throws on the backs of every chair for guests to cozy up in.” The devil is in the details when planning for a great backyard feast.  So go forth and plan away; we wish you the best for your next backyard bash!