Entertaining outdoors doesn’t have to be an activity reserved for the summer months. With suitable design choices and feature additions, you can make your outdoor living space comfortable and fun in any season.
Here are a few outdoor entertaining ideas to help you keep the party going all year round:
Warm it up with fire or heat lamps
Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are more than just stylish backyard features. Having a fire feature can help keep you and your guests warm even on chilly evenings in winter. Portable outdoor fireplaces are an excellent option for small outdoor spaces and don’t require any construction.
Heat lamps are another way to heat your outdoor party. You can use free-standing, tower-style heat lamps or opt for smaller, tabletop models. While powerful heat lamps can be expensive, they are available for rent from event supply companies and hardware stores.
Create shelter from the elements
Is your outdoor living space open to the elements? Consider adding something overhead to shield your outdoor party from rain, snow and harsh sun rays. Pergolas and gazebos make wonderful additions to any outdoor space, and can be styled in a variety of ways depending on the season.
Pop-up shelters are a good alternative if you’d rather not build a permanent structure. You can decorate them with string lights and draped fabric for instant ambiance and boho chic style. Keeping throw blankets and outdoor furniture with cozy cushions will keep the comfort level high even when the temperature drops.
“Plant” accordingly
Choosing the right plants for your outdoor space will keep it looking lush for your guests any time of year. Consider incorporating fall colors with maple, birch and oak trees. In winter, you can add color with berries like holly and viburnum.
Don’t have a year-round green thumb? Try container planters instead. With container planting, you can easily swap out plants as they begin to fade and replace them with season-appropriate alternatives to wow your guests even in the dead of winter.
Whether you’re hosting an outdoor dinner party, a casual picnic or a cozy gathering around the fire pit, keep these outdoor entertaining ideas in mind. With the right planning, you can be an outstanding host any time of year.
About the Author
Kyung Kim
Hi, I'm Kyung Kim. I immigrated from South Korea to the United States in 1968 when I was 7 years old. I have seen my mom struggle with the English language and work hard to raise her four kids by herself. Still to this day, I don't know how she pulled it off, but she bought her first home in 1979 for $70,000 and because of that decision, she was able to live without worrying about her financial future. I want that for everyone, to feel the pride of home ownership and to build their financial wealth using real estate as part of their financial portfolio. I feel so blessed to play a small role in helping others reach this goal.
I live in Beaverton with my husband, Richard. My mom, who lived with us for several years, passed away in our home in February 2022. Her first home purchase in 1979 made it possible for her to live to the very end, without worrying about her finances. As of August 2022 with a little downpayment assistance, our four children own their own homes. Being in real estate, I quickly realized that if they didn't buy now, they may be priced out of the market in the future. Whether that would have been the case, we will never know, but what we do know is that they are all realizing some good, healthy appreciation in their home values.
As passionate as I am about people owning their homes, I'm also passionate about giving back to our community. I support Compassion First, a non-profit organization that provides aftercare for sex trafficked girls in Indonesia. My husband and I also feel called to financially support social injustice organizations.
I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
