Garden party ideas: Transform your outdoor space with these inspiring design tips

Kit out your garden with some fun and brilliantly colorful decorations to add an instant party vibe, because who doesn't love a pop of color?! 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 color to brighten a garden party theme during the day and conjure up ambient magic when lit up after dark.

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 color scheme or theme can help to instantly make an outdoor space feel stylish and ready for a special occasion. The latest sage green color, 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 color schemes Devin Shaffer, Lead Interior Designer at Decorilla explains: "Fashion trends influence color themes for both indoor and outdoor spaces and it can sometimes take a year for the color themes to hit the decor scene. For example, summer fashion catalogs from a year ago are now having a huge impact on garden party design color schemes." 

"Both pastels and exaggerated vintage (antiquated) motifs made a big wave in fashion last year and because of that we're seeing a very 'Bridgerton-inspired' demand for those planning garden parties."

Our hero suggestion of a theme leads us nicely onto our second idea of filling your garden party with flowers. Take inspiration from your favorite 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 color, interest and even fragrance to your garden decorations. A mix of ceramic jugs and glass Kilner jars are ideal for displaying fresh or faux flowers for an effortlessly laid-back look. The trick when decorating with flowers is to keep it simple, let the flowers do all the work.

Devin Shaffer offers his insight to how this garden party idea looks this year: "Last year, clients were hyper-focused on live flowers however, this year's outdoor party settings are filled with oversized artificial flowers such as white peonies, baby blue hydrangeas, and yellow roses." 

No garden party idea would be complete without a garden bar to serve up some deliciously refreshing Cosmopolitan cocktails and traditional Pimm's. Fun and fashionable, Tiki bars are a great way to welcome a Hawaiian-inspired garden party theme. 

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!

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 do have neighbors who might not be so keen on the playlists. 

You can even source outdoor, wireless speakers that add light to double up on ambiance. A speaker that doubles up as outdoor light is the perfect companion for making garden parties more fun and functional. With the lamp’s soft glow and long battery life, it means you can keep the good vibes going long after the sun goes down. 

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. 

Festoon lights are the outdoor lighting craze to follow, offering a playful twist on the much-loved fairy light. 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 cozy feel to your surroundings, or to create more of a party atmosphere use color-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 are not solar powered.

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. 

“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) have used simple wooden palettes as a makeshift table, providing purpose for outdoor dining.

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 to 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 of time. 

"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 centerpiece." 

"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."

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.

As an outdoor heater, a fire pit will keep you and your guests cozy 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 cozy blankets to keep warm once the sun goes down, which also adds to the campfire ambiance. 

“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.” 

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.

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 pretty presentation but also a practical sustainable living idea. Handy solar-powered garden lights are brilliant because they spend all day charging in the sunshine to then omit 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." 

For those times when the sun is just that bit too hot, or when you realize you've been sitting out for too long, some form of shade 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 color 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.