Fall can be a quiet time after busy summers and before the even busier holiday season. The season brings with it festivals, Halloween and football, and the temperature starts to cool, which means it’s the perfect time to throw an indoor/outdoor party.
An indoor/outdoor party is a casual way to get friends and family together. It requires some planning to ensure that your guests are comfortable and your party is a hit. Here are 3 steps for hosting indoor/outdoor parties in the fall:
Step 1: Make sure everyone you invite knows that it’s an indoor/outdoor party. By including that information, either in your invitation or email, your guests will know to expect to be outside at some point and should dress appropriately.
Step 2: Prepare for the elements. If you’re in the Northeast or Mid Atlantic in the U.S., this means having blankets available and maybe a fire going in a fire pit. In most places, you’ll want to have a screen of some sort – a door or otherwise — between your indoor and outdoor area to ensure the bugs stay outside.
Step 3: Figure out the flow. Where do you want your guests to get food and drinks? If it’s outside, do you have a buffet table or other outdoor furniture to place it on? Where will they mingle? Is the furniture set up to encourage groups to form? Is your pergola, gazebo or Ramada primed for guests so they feel comfortable using it during the party?
Take a look at the space and picture your party. Think about how many guests you’ve invited and how they might feel with the set-up. If something feels strange – like a seat by itself or a table too close to the door between your house and outdoor space – then rearrange the space before guests arrive.
For outdoor design inspiration, including patio furniture and gazebo and pergola kits, visit fifthroom.com.
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