How to host a winning summer garden party
One of our favourite things about the warmer weather is getting to host social gatherings in our outdoor spaces; nothing beats the feeling of enjoying the sun’s rays whilst catching up with loved ones.
Not that we need an excuse to get out into our gardens, but this year we’ve got lots of reasons to host alfresco parties and bring everyone together, from cheering on your country during the World Cup, enjoying Wimbledon matches with strawberries and cream, or simply making the most of bank holiday sunshine.
Spring is the ideal time to give your outdoor space the spruce it deserves just in time for the social season. From refreshing your flower beds to creating a welcoming seating area for afternoon drinks or evening BBQs, you can turn your garden into an inviting summer retreat.
Neaten up the garden
Before hosting family and friends, a little care and attention to your space can make all the difference. Trim hedges back, clean up borders, and remove weeds to keep your garden looking tidy. Remove any foliage or debris from flower beds and deadhead any flowers with secateurs.
When tackling any weeds, we’d recommend softening the soil first by watering, and then grasping firmly at the base and pulling slowly to extract the entire root.
After your outdoor spring clean, apply a layer of compost or fresh topsoil to your beds and borders to enhance their appearance, and give your plants a healthy nutrient boost.
Create the perfect outdoor living set up
Style and comfort are just as important as each other when it comes to curating your outdoor living set up. Comfortable seating and thoughtful touches will make your guests feel at home and give them a place to relax whilst enjoying each other’s company.
If you’re hosting a larger gathering, then four to eight-seat dining sets are great for sharing meals as well as great conversation. If you’re setting up in a particularly sunny area of your garden, then we’d suggest choosing a dining set complete with parasol to help provide shade on those brighter days.
Or, for something a bit more informal, a sofa set is ideal for relaxing into -- and many of our ranges come with extra stools and benches you can bring out for additional seating.
Styling your garden space
Your outdoor furniture acts as your foundation in your garden, so once you’ve got that in place, it’s time to accessorise! Finishing touches can really bring a space together, and showcase your style, so bring in overhead string lights, solar lanterns, rugs, cushions, and throws to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that will carry your space through to the evening.
Outdoor lighting
Continue the garden party into the evening with outdoor lighting. Create ambience in your outdoor entertaining space and allow your guests to sink into a relaxed, warm atmosphere. If you’re planning on hosting any World Cup parties this year, outdoor lighting will be a big help with the matches taking part at night in the UK. Solar lighting is a wonderful way to make your space bright and keep the party going.
Food and drink essentials
What’s a party without some delicious food? Cooking alfresco is a summer staple, whether you’re firing up the BBQ or making personalised wood-fired pizzas.
Complete the set up with practical yet stylish accessories such as serving trays, salad servers, and glazed jugs, perfect for refreshing summer cocktails.
You can also pick up snacks to share in our foodhalls, as well as glazes and condiments for your outdoor cooking, and cooled drinks to keep everyone refreshed.
Get garden party ready with Dobbies
Getting our friends, family, and loved ones together outside is one of the best parts about summer, and we know you’ll have fun no matter what, but we’re here to help you make your summer parties an experience to remember. Discover our full range in-store, or shop outdoor living online.