Decorating & Design
Get Entertaining! Discover Our Best Tips For Your Summer Soirée
Longing to throw the perfect summer party, but not sure how to set the ambience, whip up a seasonal menu and create a standout cocktail list? From designing a beautiful tablescape to creating an Instagram-worthy cheese or charcuterie board, we’re sharing our best tips for your summer soirée.
Scroll down for the ultimate summer entertaining ideas!
Create multiple zones. Offering your guests an easy transition from dining to lounging will keep the vibe casual and comfortable. After a three-course dinner, there’s nothing better than moving to a comfy outdoor sofa with a hot tea or digestif. If your lounge furniture is in a separate area of your backyard, consider temporarily relocating it closer to the dining table for the night.
Plan for chillier evenings. Keep your guests comfortable when day turns to dusk by placing a few throw blankets around the dinner table. Bonus: stylish Turkish towels can serve as lap throws and picnic blankets!
Kick off the party with quick bites and aperitifs. Even if you’re serving a three-course dinner, everyone will appreciate some snacks before the meal begins. It will also score you some extra time in the kitchen before everyone arrives. Keep scrolling for some of our best ideas!
Master the art of the cheese board. Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski shares his best tips for building a cheeseboard. “I love choosing fresh and dried fruits and spreads to accompany each cheese,” he says.
Create killer cocktails. Go beyond the classic glass of bubbly and impress your guests with an artisanal drink like this Strawberry Rosé Granita Smash. For more summer cocktail ideas, click here.
Set the mood with music. From showing off your favorite vinyl collection to putting on a great playlist, there’s no better way to build a party atmosphere than with some great summer tunes.
Display summer centrepieces. Treat your dinner party like a private event with beautiful centrepieces. Displaying a combination of candles and flowers will instantly take your table from weeknight casual to party ready.
Design a themed menu. Choose a cuisine you love and stick with it! Your guests will love the attention to detail and it will make meal planning a whole lot easier. For Middle-Eastern inspired recipes, check out these four recipes from Eden Grinshpan’s Eating Out Loud cookbook.
Create an open bar. Invite guests to help themselves to refreshments throughout the night by creating a designated drink station. Pro tip: cut up some lemons and limes (or even jalapeños!) ahead of time as cocktail garnishes.
Elevate your tablescape with color & pattern. Inject some character into your summer tablescape with colorful napkins, patterened dishes, textured placements or printed tablecloths. “My table settings are always mixed elements from many lives. Williams Sonoma painted pottery accent plates sit on black glazed dinner plates over woven placemats,” says Lynda Reeves of her lakehouse dining table.
Play with mood lighting. Prepare your backyard party for nightfall by scattering pretty lanterns on tables and installing string lights on fences or pergolas. Your summer soiree will officially be sparkling!