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people celebrating in backyard at night

Create a Family Backyard Oasis Perfect for Outdoor Entertaining

backyard seating area with umbrella

Designing an outdoor oasis isn’t just fun for the family; it’s a great way to entertain guests as well. If you’ve got the space, there are numerous ways you can give your backyard an upgrade creating the ultimate escape. From outdoor dinner parties and birthdays to movie and game nights with friends and family, there are endless possibilities for how you can entertain your loved ones and design the backyard space of your dreams. 

backyard seating area with umbrella

Easy Ways to Transform Your Backyard

Below are some of the many ways you can create your backyard oasis:

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1. Lush Landscaping

The key to designing a beautiful backyard escape is landscaping. Before you do anything else, you’ll want to consider your space and how you want to set everything up. From there, use a variety of different plants, hedges, trees, and flowers to fill things in for a lush retreat. The right landscaping not only helps transform your space but it provides you with year-round privacy as well. 

cozy backyard seating

2. Cozy Seating

Seating is another essential element when designing an outdoor space, especially if you plan to use it for entertaining. A cozy central outdoor “living room” is ideal for creating a primary focal point and the main area for everyone to gather, but it’s good to have other seating scattered throughout so guests can wander off for some privacy if they’d like. Try putting a bench or two out in the yard or even a cozy swing if you have somewhere to hang it. Once the seating is set, use various pillows, cushions, and throws to make everything feel comfortable and inviting. 

people celebrating in backyard at night

3. Lighting, Lighting, Lighting

The lighting you choose can help set the mood and give the space ambiance. Good lighting is also essential if you plan on entertaining after dark. Try going for a variety of different light sources to break the space up and give it character. You can use string lights over the main dining and seating area, but try scattering lanterns and decorative luminaires throughout the yard as well. Lighting can make all the difference and take your space from good to “wow!” 

father daughter playing backyard

4. Entertainment for Everyone

When designing your outdoor space, consider providing a little bit of fun and entertainment for everyone. Outdoor games, for example, are great for all ages, but they are especially nice to have to keep younger guests entertained while the adults socialize.

If your garden allows for it, having inflatable games at an outdoor gathering can be a great way to entertain both the youngest and oldest of guests. From boxing rings to custom obstacle courses and tossing games, there’s a wide variety of activities to choose from that will keep your guests entertained. You could even host a challenge between adults participating in different obstacle courses, making the gathering even more fun and competitive! This would bring out everyone’s competitive side and inject some excitement into the occasion.

DIY backyard theaters are also a fun element to have for movie nights. You can invest in a nice setup if you’d like, but it’s also easy and fun to simply hang up a white sheet to project on and scatter blankets and pillows around the yard. 

family bringing food to outdoor dining table

5. Rusting Dining

If your outdoor entertaining is going to include dinner parties, consider buying or building a large wooden outdoor table with plenty of space and seating for your friends and family. Outdoor furniture can get pricey, but tables are relatively easy to build if you use scrap wood and go for a more rustic vibe. If you want a cleaner finish, you can also purchase lumber from Home Depot or your local home improvement store. Large outdoor dining tables also make for great focal points, especially if you go all out with lighting and table decor and settings. 

backyard water feature and entertaining area

6. Water Features

Water features can really elevate your backyard to give it that outdoor oasis vibe. You can buy or build a water fountain, or go for something more involved like an inground pond. Container ponds using stock tanks are also popular and can be filled with fish, rocks, and various aquatic plants. 

Note: Plow & Hearth has some beautiful water features and fountains to match your backyard style.

backyard fire pit smores

7. Bring the Heat

Whether you live in a warmer, more temperate area or somewhere where it can get quite cool at night, fire pits are an excellent feature to have in your backyard. Even on summer nights, the air can get chilly, but with a fire pit (we love these portable fire pits from Solo Stove), there’s no need for everyone to leave or head inside when the temperature drops. If you want to go the DIY route, you can build your own pit in the yard; just make sure it’s clear of plants and low-hanging tree branches. Or, you can buy a metal or cement pit or bowl, which come in all shapes and sizes to suit your needs. 

Read Next: See our safety tips on starting a fire in this article on Outdoor Cooking: 7 Methods for a Delicious Adventure

backyard bar and seating area
Love this DIY bar

8. DIY Bar

If you want to wow your guests and give your backyard the feel of an upscale retreat, opt for a DIY outdoor bar. There are lots of outdoor bars you can purchase, but it’s more fun to design and build your own that fits perfectly in your space. Even if you don’t drink alcohol, outdoor bars are great for storing any sort of drink and mixing up fun mocktails. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even hire a mixologist to serve drinks at your parties. 

backyard movie projection with seating area in front of it

Tips for Throwing Outdoor Parties

Once your outdoor oasis is complete, it’s time to celebrate. Outdoor dinner parties are an excellent way to entertain friends and family. To ensure everyone stays safe and has a good time, follow these tips and tricks:

  • Check the weather. Nothing ruins an outdoor party more than unexpected rain. 
  • Choose your dining area wisely. Setting up your table under a tree with hanging lights might look picture-perfect, but the actual experience can be less than pleasant when you have leaves, bugs, or bird droppings falling onto your plates. 
  • Opt for reusable dinnerware. Not only is disposable tableware bad for the environment, but it doesn’t look as nice either. Reusable dinnerware, place settings, and napkins show that you put a lot of thought and care into the party, and it is more aesthetically pleasing. (Amazon has a great seletion of melamine dinnerware sets.)
  • Be mindful of food sitting out. If you plan to have food sitting out for guests, make sure it won’t go bad due to heat or attract too many bugs and insects. You can use nets and serving trays with lids to protect the food and avoid letting things sit out that might spoil. 

Read Next: 5 Ways to Avoid Mosquito Bites That Actually Work

Conclusion

When designing your backyard escape, the sky is the limit. Even if you’re on a budget, there are plenty of DIY and budget-friendly options that allow you to create a beautiful space without breaking the bank. No matter the size or cost of your design, if you put consideration into creating an entertaining retreat with great lighting and cozy seating, your guests are sure to have a good time. 

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Written by:
Nicky Omohundro
Published on:
February 22, 2022
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Categories: Family

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About Nicky Omohundro

Nicky Omohundro is a travel and active family lifestyle blogger and social media influencer based out of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She shares stories, destinations, and ideas on food, family, health, and outdoor recreation to help families find their own adventures. Her spirit animal is a caffeinated squirrel fueled by coffee, real food, and the desire to seek new adventures.

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Hello, my name is Nicky, founder of Little Family Adventure. I'm a vivacious mother of three who wants to assist you in having "No Child Left Inside." With one teenager still at home and two young adults successfully out navigating the world, I'm out exploring the world and traveling with and sometimes without them to provide you with fresh food ideas, travel destinations, and family-friendly activities. Allow me to help you discover your own Little Family Adventure!

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