Tips for Outdoor Summer Entertaining Made Simple

With summer just around the corner, are you going to be entertaining outdoors?  Whether you’re hosting a gathering of friends or, like me, a pool party with the family, follow my tips for outdoor summer entertaining made simple.

Summertime is when we entertain the most at our home because we have a pool that is the perfect backyard entertainment. We’re usually hosting family weekend get-togethers, so I am all about effortless outdoor summer entertaining.

Tips for Outdoor Summer Entertaining Made Simple

1. Keep the Menu Simple:

The best menu ideas for outdoor entertaining should center around cooking on a grill or using a smoker. The idea is not to use ovens ​at all for your party.
​Find recipes perfect for an outdoor party on my Pinterest board.

  • Prepare all of the food except the meat 2 days before the party.
  • Cold salads, appetizers, and desserts are popped into the refrigerator.
  • I also use a crockpot for my baked beans, while my gas grill has side burners to boil the corn.
  • The meat is prepped and ready to be grilled (which I don’t do- this is when the men step up to the plate!)

If you don’t have the time, get it catered and ready to be picked up the day of your party.
You can also have your guests bring food.
Remember, this is a STRESS-FREE dinner party!

2. Set up your food stations-buffet style

I entertain a lot and always set up my food buffet style, whether it’s Thanksgiving or an outdoor party. I’m all about people picking what they want to eat and going back for seconds!

Summer BBQ or picnic table scene with hamburgers, hotdogs, salad and snacks. Overhead view on a dark wood background.

Guests filling plates at a summer potluck barbeque

3. Get creative with your cocktail/ refreshment table or bar cart.

4. Make sure you have a bug-free party with plenty of seating for your guests.

To keep mosquitoes from ruining your outdoor party, make sure to use citronella candles or citronella oil like the one in the photo below. We use tiki torches filled with citronella oil in our backyard.
We use tiki torches filled with citronella oil in our backyard to keep the mosquitoes away
Our pool terrace can accommodate up to 25 people, but if you need more seating, you can always ask your guests to bring their own chairs.

Torrey All weather Wicker 6 piece from Pottery Barn

Huntington All weather wicker from Pottery Barn

Modern Outdoor furniture

Modern Outdoor furniture

5. Keep your Table Settings simple and unbreakable

Disposable plates make the guest list at outdoor events. But paper, plastic foam, and plastic dishes overstay their welcome, lingering in landfills after the party’s ended, refusing to politely biodegrade, which is why I prefer using melamine plates and glasses for my outdoor parties.

Melamine is a hard plastic that is colorful, dishwasher-safe dinnerware that is difficult to break or scratch - making it perfect for outdoor dinner parties and worry-free entertaining in any setting.
Melamine is a hard plastic that is colorful, dishwasher-safe dinnerware that is difficult to break or scratch, making it perfect for outdoor dinner parties and worry-free entertaining in any setting.

Melamine dishes from Frontgate

Melamine dishes

9 piece Oval Dining set from Frontgate
Hawaain themed table using melamine and plastic dinnerware and glasses
This table setting was from Sammy’s birthday luau. It is all plastic and reusable.

6. Simple centerpieces for casual outdoor dining.

You can add candles or flowers for a simple centerpiece. Create no-fuss flower arrangements, or a simple candle or lantern, which will create your perfect centerpieces.
You can create a sunflower arrangement in a watering can, like I did, or in a mason jarNothing says summer better than sunflowers!
http://bloginthefamily.blogspot.com/2011/04/wedding-recap.html

7. Casual Summer Style is Required

Flip-flops and sundresses are perfect summer outfits, but I still prefer summer maxi dresses and shorts.

We will be entertaining a lot in Park City this summer, and I will be wearing this Sleeveless Midi Tank Dress with the No Iron™ Floral Linen Shirt when I entertain. The nights can get cooler, and I will need the extra layer.

Another option is to wear Brigitte™ Slim Shorts with the No Iron™ Floral Linen Shirt over a red Microfiber Tank, all from Chico’s. I’m wearing STUNAHOME Flat Sandals, which you can purchase on Amazon.

8. If weather permits, have your guests over to swim or play outdoor games.

Our pool is the main attraction at our house in the summer.
Summer entertaining made simple by Robin LaMonte of Rooms Revamped Interior Design

My guests entertain themselves in our pool as I set up the food and beverage stations on tables.

A putting green is another popular feature people are adding to their backyards for outdoor entertaining.

Put in a horseshoe pit…

one purple horse shoe on the stake and another purple horseshoe slightly overthrown. Shoe is still in the air.

Croquet is a great yard game for all ages.

Croquet set for guests to play with at a wedding.

Cornhole Games College themed to get your crowd ready for the football season!
https://www.victorytailgate.com/cp-62417-Clemson+Tigers+Cornhole+Game+Set+Hardcourt+Triangle+Version.html?gclid=Cj0KEQjwwry8BRDjsbjMpPSDvagBEiQA5oW0nPr8-UdmcBg9TbESpUM6sdLVSYtpt9zLQp0nD9poA1waAvdC8P8HAQ
https://www.yardoutlet.com/products/florida-gators?codesf=4138825822&gclid=CjwKEAjwiMe8BRD0ts3Vtv-ohWgSJAAZurk1i42dS41BBDUaKadt6q-OMU2j-hYwoUKyFiz64zM0dBoC1Sjw_wcB
I hope you found these tips for summer outdoor entertaining useful.
XXOOXX
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11 Comments

  1. Hi Robin

    What an amazing post! I love to entertain and make things look pretty! You’ve got some amazing ideas here! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

  2. You look very elegant in that gorgeous tunic! I love entertaining outside in our garden. Hope to do that again real soon!

  3. You have gorgeous taste and beautiful style.
    Thank you for sharing.

  4. Such great ideas for summer entertaining. It doesn’t have to be perfect! Thanks for sharing!

  5. So many great ideas. You have given me lots of ideas for future projects.

  6. What a fun post! Great ideas and I love that dress. Thanks for the inspiration.

  7. You’ve got a great space for entertaining Robin and I love the dress!

  8. Awesome tips and love those outdoor games!

  9. These are such fabulous tips for outdoor entertaining! Your preppy palm tunic dress insures you are dressed as the hostess with the mostess! Elegant and chic!
    xo,
    Kellyann