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Deciding to throw a party is easy, but prepping your backyard for an outdoor party can be another story. You have so many options for decor, layout, dishware, and more. Discover the best ways to tackle it all with these tips. 

Consider How to Organize the Space

If your backyard isn’t a blank slate, you’ll have to think about how you want to lay out your party. Though the grill typically stays under the awning over the deck, perhaps you want to move it to your fence or the side of the yard so people have more room to grab food and refreshments.

Some have large play structures, such as jungle gyms, swings, or trampolines, that can be moved to the side or used to hold signage directing guests. You’ll likely need seating, so plan where you’ll place it. If you want to include shade, you can find pop-up canopies or add extra seating to a gazebo, if you have one.

Imagine you’ve never been to your yard before. What would be the most sensible way to get around? What might be annoying or confusing?

Think About the Theme Early

The more time you give yourself to prepare, the more time you have to ensure everything is just right. Your decorations will rely on the party tone you choose, your style and the weather you may be expecting. If you know your plan early on, you’ll be able to make swaps that stick with your theme while avoiding headaches later.

For example, you may choose to forgo the hanging paper lanterns and streamers if it’s going to be a windy or rainy day, opting for less fragile varieties. Alternatively, you’ll know ahead of time to stock up on ice and find ways to create shade if the weather will be hot and sunny. Plus, starting your planning early could ease stress, as you don’t have to scramble to put everything together, and you’ll have more choices for decor, accessories and vendors.

Create Zones

Whether you have activities tied to your theme or just want to include a few options at your outdoor bash, creating zones helps people easily find their way. You can create separate tables for food and drinks to give attendees some elbow room, but putting them in the same area — possibly with some signage for extra guidance — shows them where to go for what they want. You can also make a few seating areas, including board games at one for those who want to interact via play.

Doing so is also helpful if you’re hosting an event with a lot of activities. For example, at a Halloween party, you can have distinct areas for bobbing for apples, pumpkin carving, tarot card readings and more.

Keep the Music Flowing

According to research, the best music for a party is tracks that the attendees don’t recognize. When you play music they’re familiar with, they follow along with the tunes rather than what the person they’re talking to is saying. Something that complements the vibe but is also obscure can fill the silence without being distracting.

However, it’s hard to hear the other guest talking if there’s a single speaker blaring the songs from nearby. Additionally, people farther away might not be able to hear it. To keep the party going while you’re in your backyard, use a few speakers to carry the tunes rather than a single one.

Set Up Lighting

If you plan for your party to go into the night, you’ll need some extra lighting to ensure everything stays visible. A few lanterns around high-traffic areas like the food or activity tables help, but they won’t light up your whole yard. You can use a few string lights to give a glow that’s just bright enough to light up the space, but isn’t so blinding as flood lights or larger lamps. Plus, their lengths mean you can spread softer light across a larger space.

To guide people through your backyard, stake lights create a brilliant pathway. Lastly, a fire pit is a common favorite for outdoor get-togethers for its illumination and warmth. Keep this away from any flammable decorations and your high-traffic areas to avoid accidental flames and injury.

Add the Finishing Touches

Now, you should just have some final logistics to iron out. Think about the food — is it easy to eat without sitting at a table? Are the plates sturdy enough to hold what you’re planning to serve?

Consider how you want to entertain your attendees — will you have a theme where you’ll plan multiple activities, or is it more of a laid-back vibe where lots of seating will be handy? What decor will you use, and where will you place it? Use your party tone and backyard layout to make these final decisions.

Get Ready for a Backyard Bash

Backyard outdoor parties are great fun, but you have to decide how you’ll lay it all out first. Use this guide to get your expert-host ball rolling.

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