Whether throwing a family gathering, graduation party, birthday celebration, or a simple summer soiree, the right garden party ideas can elevate outdoor spaces and backyards into an impressive party setting.
From outdoor lighting and garden bar pop-ups to fabulous garden decoration ideas and tropical garden party themes, with a few easy steps, you can welcome guests into a beautifully styled space made for entertaining.
From tablescaping ideas to transform your outdoor entertaining to the perfect summer guest playlist, organising a garden party takes a little imagination. This is why we consulted experts for their top tips and tricks, to ensure your guests leave with a smile and are truly impressed.
Garden party ideas and decorating tips
If you're entertaining regularly or want to invest in your outdoor space, think about drawing on some of the hottest garden trends and include some of the more permanent outdoor living room ideas in your backyard, like ambient lighting or a stylish fire pit.
For one-off parties, sophisticated table styling and subtle decorations can really help to transform your space in a flash.
Whatever the occasion, see our inspiring garden party ideas to inspire how you style your next summer gathering.
1. Choose a decorating theme
Any party can benefit hugely from a theme to make decorating a breeze. Be it a festival-inspired do or a Hawaiian theme inspired by the beach, there are so many fun decorations out there to help you achieve the look you're after.
Adopting a colour scheme or theme can help to instantly make an outdoor space feel stylish and ready for a special occasion. The colour, say the latest pistachio green colour trend, can then be used throughout the space, from outdoor cushions on seating to the tablecloths and napkins on the table.
Speaking of the latest trends for garden party colour schemes, Devin Shaffer, Lead Interior Designer at Decorilla, explains: "Fashion trends influence colour themes for both indoor and outdoor spaces, and it can sometimes take a year for the colour themes to hit the decor scene. For example, summer fashion catalogues from a year ago are now having a huge impact on garden party design colour schemes."
2. Decorate with flowers
Our hero suggestion of a theme leads us nicely to our second idea of filling your garden party with flowers. Take inspiration from your favourite cutting garden flowers and the best garden plants to add further blooms to decorate tables.
With the trend for bohemian styling, flowers are the key ingredient to effortlessly adding colour, interest, and even fragrance to your garden decorations. A mix of ceramic jugs and glass Kilner jars is ideal for displaying fresh or faux flowers for an effortlessly laid-back look.
The trick when decorating with flowers is to keep it simple and let the flowers do all the work.
3. Serve drinks from a garden bar
No garden party idea would be complete without a garden bar to serve up some deliciously refreshing iced teas and traditional Pimm's.
Fun and fashionable, Tiki bars are a great way to welcome a Hawaiian-inspired garden party theme. Garden bars have become one of the best outdoor furniture buys in recent years.
Repurposing the shed is another growing trend, where the side features a hatch that can be dropped down to fashion a bar. Alternatively, you could simply cover an outdoor table with a tablecloth and serve beers from ice buckets stacked alongside barware on the table. Whichever you choose, all you need to do is supply the drinks!
4. Create an atmosphere with music
Music is a powerful tool to get any party started. Whether you opt for a soft jazz soundtrack to provide background noise or a disco party playlist to get everyone dancing, music is a must-have for any social event.
For a garden party, a simple outdoor speaker is enough to do the trick - you are not looking for festival-style loudspeakers because you have neighbours who might not be so keen on the playlists.
You can find outdoor, wireless speakers at affordable prices, such as the Anker Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker on Amazon for £34.40.
5. Set up outdoor games
Let the games begin. Playing games is a great way to break the ice at an outdoor gathering, to make it a little easier for people to mingle and get involved instead of standing on the sidelines.
Outdoor games are also perfect for a garden party idea when kids are in attendance because they will be looking for ways to stay entertained and involved.
From playing a game of croquet on the lawn or throwing the Hoopla ring toss to stacking giant Jenga, there's a wealth of inclusive outdoor games to suit all ages, providing fun for all.
6. Introduce on-trend lighting
Festoon lights offer a playful twist on the much-loved fairy light and have been dominating the lighting trends for years. Festoon lights feature bulbous bulbs, more like the style of indoor light fittings. By their nature, they make more of an impact
Speaking about the latest garden trends for lighting, Ian Austick, at LED & Power, says: "Festoon lights have shown to be a popular choice as they offer a modern spin on outdoor lighting, creating a beautiful look. Proving to be a popular choice for weddings and events, as well as gardens. We suggest that you opt for warm white festoon lights to bring a cosy feel to your surroundings, or to create more of a party atmosphere, use colour-changing bulbs.”
Follow the styling rules of the team at Nest to suspend your festoon lights over a dining table. To create a cascading effect, hang a line of string above the table—it could even be the washing line—to drape the lights over. When dressing for your party, be mindful of plugging into the mains if your set of festoon lights is not solar-powered.
RRP: £12.97 | These string lights are the perfect way to bring a little nighttime ambience to your garden party and they're also solar-powered, so no need to panic about external plugs!
7. Forget the furniture
For a more informal garden party idea, you might choose to keep it simple, like opting for a picnic blanket on the floor to save the need for extra furniture. Dig out your best blankets and cushions to layer the look with soft, inviting textures. These can also prove useful if the temperature drops after sunset. Just make sure you can clean your outdoor cushions if there's a Pimm's spill.
“Furniture isn’t always needed to make the most of the outdoors," agrees Clotilde Passalacqua, interior design manager at IKEA. "Some cushions, throws, and blankets can help to create a relaxed picnic in the garden. Tactile accessories will effortlessly add an element of comfort to your outdoor space, helping to create an inviting environment for you and your guests to enjoy time outdoors."
We love how the styling team at Dekoria (above) has used simple wooden palettes as makeshift tables, providing purpose for outdoor dining.
8. Style a buffet table
Party food is essential when hosting a daytime soiree, because you're more than likely spanning lunch and dinner time, and you don't want your guests going hungry. Incorporate a styled element into your catering by introducing different height displays and an assortment of serving platters to add a little finesse to finger foods and picky bits.
The current trend for grazing tables is a great way to jazz up a buffet area and lunch ideas for entertaining friends. Just be mindful that when outdoors, you're inviting pests to take a pick of the food too, so best not to leave it all uncovered for long periods.
"When styling your buffet table, start with a focal point you can build everything else around," advises Wayfair’s resident style advisor, Nadia McCowan Hill. "This could be a large rustic wooden board or an elegant cake stand, sitting in the middle of your table as a centrepiece."
"Serveware is key for a stylish grazing table. Choose various heights for added interest. Decide on a theme, as this will help you to both choose items for display and the food itself. For example, a Mediterranean-style grazing table will incorporate natural woods, greenery, and fresh lemons alongside a mezze of focaccia bread, olives, and dips.'
"If you'd prefer a contemporary English garden party theme, then scones are a must, with plenty of floral touches using seasonal flowers in pretty pink, lilac, and cream."
9. Keep warm with a fire pit
After the sun has gone down it can sometimes get chilly, so it's important to introduce an element of heat. And what better way to do that than to light up an on-trend fire pit? It not only provides the heat but also creates a campfire vibe, acting as a warming focal point to gather around. It's a true garden essential when it comes to summer hosting.
As an outdoor heater, a fire pit will keep you and your guests cosy even if the temperature drops. After all, outdoor gatherings needn't be confined to the summer months! It's also an idea to offer guests plenty of cosy blankets to keep warm once the sun goes down, which also adds to the campfire ambience.
“If you are hosting guests in your garden in the evening, make sure the fire pit is lit before guests arrive" advises Jonny Brierley, CEO at Moda Furnishings.. "This creates a wow factor as they step into the garden, and also helps them to relax more quickly."
"Firelight is said to create a more intimate setting, allowing guests to relax and talk, letting their guards down at the end of the day. The fire provides a visual, psychological comfort from which you and your guests will benefit.”
10. Set the scene for memorable photos
Did the party even occur if there aren't amazing photos to prove it? Make your garden party all the more memorable with the addition of a DIY photo booth, complete with novelty props and old picture frames to capture great photographs.
The treasured snaps will be especially good if you can dig out that old Polaroid camera! Team comical glasses and headbands with your best glittery festival jacket and you're ready to snap away as you party.
11. Illuminate the garden with solar power
Make sure your garden party continues effortlessly into the evening with plenty of ambient outdoor lighting. Seek solar power for a smart outdoor lighting solution, with designs that offer a pretty presentation but also a practical, sustainable garden idea. Handy solar-powered garden lights are brilliant because they spend all day charging in the sunshine to then emit a warm glow as the light fades.
Plus, solar lights are super easy to install – there's no need for wiring or extra batteries. Simply insert solar stake lights into the soil, then press the switch, and let the light do the work for you.
"Solar lighting is a brilliant way to add some extra warmth and light to your outdoor space, without having to worry about extension wires or a garden power source," says the team at Wayfair.
"A brilliant practical purchase for some added safety, line pathways, and frame garden borders with slim solar stake lighting or some contemporary outdoor lanterns. Free to run, outdoor solar lights are an economical addition, with no need for batteries or electricity. Super energy-efficient, integrated LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours, making them a long-lasting garden accessory which will cast a warm white glow."
12. Hang decorative bunting and lanterns
Kit out your garden with some fun and brilliantly colourful decorations to add an instant party vibe, because who doesn't love a pop of colour?! Lightweight lanterns and bunting are ideal for hanging from pergola structures, up in the trees, or suspended along a string above tables to elevate decorations, to ensure the staging is seen from all aspects of the garden.
These reusable lanterns will inject cheery colour to brighten a garden party theme during the day and conjure up ambient magic when lit up after dark.
Novelty bunting is also great if you're working along a specific theme, for example, if you're planning a seasonal-themed party.
13. Seek shade
For those moments when the sun is just that bit too hot, or when you realise you've been sitting out for too long, some form of shadescaping is a must. From makeshift awnings to generous parasols, there are many ways to welcome shade to your outdoor living space.
Look for a solution large enough to encompass multiple guests. If freestanding, choose lightweight so it can be easily moved around the garden, but ensure it's durable enough to withstand any wind. "A parasol will not only add some extra shade to an outdoor space, but can also quickly refresh the overall look of your garden," says the style team at Wayfair.
"Combining practicality and style, choose a parasol with personality to add a splash of colour to your patio. Creating a covered space for dining and entertainment, a parasol can also help to zone an area, adding height and structure."
You can also buy a canopy that offers UV50+ sun protection, worth looking into if you want maximum protection from harmful rays. And of course, wear plenty of the best SPF sunscreen, even when under said shade, because there will still be times throughout the day when your skin is exposed.
RRP: £29.99 | A parasol doesn't have to be a super complex permanent piece of furniture in your garden. This one from Amazon is a bargain for under £30 and can be easily stored away in a protective bag.
14. Transform tables with linens
Make outdoor dining feel more formal with simple but effective styling tricks. It's amazing what a simple tablecloth can do to transform any outdoor dining occasion. Not only does a lovely linen or decorative cloth cover a less-than-presentable table beneath, but it can also create a seamless look when tables are pushed together to create one large banquet table for feasting on the party food menu.
We love the look of simple linen in muted tones of grey or off-white to provide an effortlessly stylish background for any garden party-themed table setting.
“I love to take a personal approach to laying the table outside, starting with a tablecloth," says designer Matthew Williamson. "I think there is something so special about having a textile to sit on. It softens the physical experience and provides a platform for colour and pattern, upon which you can clash your flatware and glassware.'
"Add a vintage vase for your cut flowers or leaves. The plates could very well match, or if you prefer, take a more eclectic approach, layering contemporary charger plates with mismatched vintage dinner plates.”
When throwing a garden party for a large party you might need to move an indoor dining table out to join up with your outdoor table, and providing they are of similar height they can be dressed in matching tablecloths to unify them.
15. Hang colorful balloons
Balloons are the heroes of the party prop world; easy to source, easy to inflate and brilliant for adding a sense of party with a pop of colour.
The only thing about using balloons to style a garden party is the possibility of them popping if left in intense heat. To avoid any loud bangs that will scare your guests, we suggest using balloons in shaded areas to reduce the likelihood of them spontaneously bursting.
You can use balloons to set a colour scheme or to merely enhance a theme you already have going on with your other decorations. To keep things really simple, tie them onto chairs and surrounding tree trunks because these won't require the balloons to float.
If you do want to add colourful balloons to the back of chairs, you will need to use helium gas to inflate them, which is easy enough, but it will mean you have to buy a canister from your local store.
RRP: £6.99 | Looking to elevate your space, these gold confetti balloons are perfect. They add to the celebration without forcing your to commit to a colour scheme and look great in the sun.
16. Add ambience with candlelight
Candlelight is the perfect way to create ambiance for any intimate gathering. To save you from having to waste your best-scented candles outside in the open air, where the smell will be lost, instead try the latest in candle technology - the best flameless candles.
Flameless candles, aka LED candles, are the perfect way to enjoy candlelight outdoors at a garden party firstly thanks to the safety element and then secondly for the simple fact that they will stay alight no matter the weather. Of course, we're not implying that garden parties are hosted during bad weather but sometimes even the gentlest of winds can wipe out the chances of using real candles.
Flameless candles have come a long way too, with new waterproof outdoor candles that are specifically designed to live comfortably outside and provide a flickering flame at the touch of a button come rain or shine. Best of all, they won't burn out, so the candles will keep going for as long as the party does.
17. Display a welcome sign
Set the scene for your party in style by putting out a welcoming sign. Simply write a message that sets the tone for your garden party and place it in a prime location to ensure all your guests see it as soon as they arrive.
You can easily make your DIY sign by painting a wooden board with Chalkboard paint to create a surface suitable for chalk up the message of your choice, from a simple welcome to a party running order - the choice is yours.
In our example, we've painted the side of an empty frame to allow the gold gilded frame to enhance the sign, but you can paint any surface to suit your party theme.
18. Make dining feel formal with styling
To host a garden party that feels a little more formal, all you need are the right styling ideas. Firstly, choose a theme to coordinate your decorations, dinnerware, and linens. Inspired by a charming cottage garden, this quintessentially British setting, styled by the team at Sophie Allport, features cottage garden flowers and strawberries as the theme.
The styling ensures the table feels formal thanks to all the little details that you would use to set the table for a dinner party, using napkins, place settings, and table linens for starters. Cut flowers are used uniformly along the centre of the table to act as an understated table centrepiece, which is more of a formal dining idea.
Even the sage green chairs coordinate perfectly with the chosen colour palette – such attention to detail is significant for creating a formal garden party setup.
FAQs
How do you host a fun garden party?
Hosting a fun garden party is easy with a few simple rules - most importantly, you need to ensure there's food, drink, music and loved ones to enjoy it with. All good garden party ideas are about making it feel 'special'. Whether that's serving drinks from a pop-up bar, in fun festive glassware, or decorating the trees with colourful paper lanterns – it's the little touches that dress up outdoor spaces to make a gathering feel more like a party.
Fun elements of light are key to creating an atmosphere. Layer the look by placing storm lanterns on the floor, filling a low-level coffee table with votives and stringing atmospheric festoons above from fences or trees.
Music is a powerful tool to add fun to any party. Introducing an element of music will determine what type of garden party you want to throw; it can transform from a formal affair during the day, accompanied by the sound of acoustic guitars, to a disco with club classic tunes after dark.
The other easy way to welcome fun to your garden party is the addition of garden games, to create a sense of camaraderie and get all involved.
When asked what you need for a garden party to make it fun, Devin Shaffer, at Decorilla, replied: "A garden party host's best friend is a bar cart. Not only will you look polished and prepared, but you'll also be able to sit back and have just as much leisurely fun as your guests."
"Bar carts have gotten more sophisticated over the years and for outdoor options its best to go with a cart that offers wheels (outdoor parties can quickly move from the deck to the yard and other areas in the yard), ice bucket bins with a cover, built-in glassware holders (especially when using real glass, which isn't always advised for late night parties), bottle holders (a must and going with an option that can store not just wine bottles but also liquor bottles and mixers)."
How long should a garden party last?
When you've got a garden full of guests, it can be difficult to decide when to bring the party to an end. To make things less awkward, it's usually recommended to include an end time on your invitations, that's if you don't want to pull an all-nighter, of course. But in that case, how long should your garden party be?
"Three to four hours is ideal—long enough for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves, but not so long that it gets tiring. Start mid-afternoon for a daytime party, or early evening if you want to make the most of garden lighting and a lovely sunset," explains Luke Newnes, garden expert and member of the Interior Squad at Hillarys.
How do you throw a cheap garden party?
If you're looking to transform your garden on a budget for your party and don't have the funds to go all out, there are ways you can make the most of what you have. All whilst still making your guests feel celebrated and welcome.
"Use what you have—borrow tables and chairs if needed, and make your own decorations from fabric scraps or recycled jars. Ask guests to bring a dish or drink to share, which takes pressure off you and keeps costs down. Serve simple, crowd-pleasing food like salads, sandwiches, or sharing platters. Classic garden games like boules or a scavenger hunt are fun and free," recommends Luke.
You don't need to invest in the best outdoor furniture just for the party. Why not make use of your indoor furniture too, with tables, chairs and coffee tables that can be easily wiped or placed on an outdoor rug?
Now you know how to plan the perfect garden party, all that's left to do is sort your garden out so it's tidy and ready for guests to come enjoy.
