Original article featured in Velvet magazine, July 2011. Image credits, Graham and Green, The Linen Works, Habitat.

From a casual summer lunch to a large evening party your garden is the perfect space for entertaining this summer. Victoria Harrison of Interior Design Talks shows you how to get your garden ready for guests.

Keep it light

Entertaining outdoors will require lighting to take you from day to night. Candlelight looks magical on a summers evening and no garden party should be without a lantern or two. If you want a structured look a couple of tall glass lanterns either side of the door will welcome guests out into the garden and if you fancy making a dramatic entrance line a path with smaller glass lanterns for guests to walk down.

For a more carefree, romantic look, scatter brightly coloured tealights around the garden and hang small twinkling lanterns in the trees. If you know that your dinner party will carry on into the night try stringing tiny fairy lights underneath a parasol to provide soft overhead lighting when the sun goes down.

Borrow decorating ideas

Think creatively when it comes to accessorizing your garden and borrow decorating ideas from the rest of your house. If your outside space is compact why not hang a mirror against the wall. Not only does this trick the eye into thinking that the garden is larger than it actually is it also creates a lovely focal point and will reflect sunlight by day and candlelight by night. Just ensure you choose a specific garden mirror as it needs to be hardwearing and sturdy enough to survive our English weather.

Bunting instantly signifies ‘party’ and will dress an outside space; from simple white hearts to brightly coloured flags pick a style that suits the mood of your party and string generously from trees and along walls.

Outdoor furniture

If you want to leave your furniture out all summer sturdy, weatherproof tables and chairs are a must. A metal bistro set is tough and hardwearing and can be dressed up for guests with some colourful seat cushions. For a party you will need a larger table and if you entertain often it is worth investing in a sturdy wooden table and chairs. If yours has been out in all weathers and is a little worse for wear cover it with a thick linen cloth or a cheerful oilcloth to instantly dress it up.

If you’re worried about the weather and are expecting lots of guests look into a buying or borrowing a gazebo so if the worst does happen you can still carry on despite the odd summer shower.

Table top

Outdoor tables offer lots of scope for decoration as an airy outdoor space lends itself to dramatic design. As with all decorating, simply choose your style and stick to it; if you’re throwing an English style tea party keep your place settings simple and fill your table with plenty of freshly picked flowers in pretty glass vases, little tea lights in jam jars and lots of vintage style bunting.

If you fancy a more eclectic look mix up coloured crockery with bright glassware, cheerful placemats and a scattering of dramatic Moroccan lanterns. Whatever the occasion I like to use proper crockery and cutlery outdoors, there’s no need for soggy paper plates and plastic cutlery if you’re in your own garden and this is one detail that will make a big difference.

Most importantly...

Whatever you decide, the beauty of a garden party is the relaxed atmosphere that it creates. With no carpet to worry about spills and lots of space for children to run about, all you have to concentrate on is having a good time and making the most of our brief but lovely English summer.