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11 Ways to Upgrade Your Yard for Entertaining
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  1. Sunset
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Outdoor Living

11 Ways to Upgrade Your Yard for Entertaining

Having people over this weekend? Spruce up your space fast with these easy ideas

Sunset
Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai
1 of 12 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Upgrade your yard for entertaining

Style expert Caitlin Atkinson says, "The garden is your canvas--paint a warm, inviting picture on it." Here are some easy ways to do just that, and get your outdoor space in shape for weekend entertaining.

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Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai
2 of 12 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Dress the floor

  • pottedstore.com for Dash & Albert Diamond rug in canary and white, $298

A sunny polypropylene outdoor rug adds instant warmth and defines the party space. 6- by 9-ft.

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Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai
3 of 12 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Mix the seating

  • floragrubb.com for Fermob bistro metal chair, $99

Folding chairs in fun colors provide flexible extra seating indoors or out.

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Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai
4 of 12 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Cover the fence

  • fivefeetfromthemoon.com for 24- by 24-in. wall art, $300

Botanical and marine silhouettes—made with painted steel, strategically rusted and then sealed—add a pop of color to a not-yet-plant-covered fence.

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Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai
5 of 12 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Put in lighting

  • potterybarn.com for outdoor glass lanterns, from $10.50

Clusters of lights bring warmth to the patio corners.

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Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai
6 of 12 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Bring in a mini bar

  • cb2.com for Luck side table, $149

A double-decker iron table, enameled a glossy green, sets off summery drinks.

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Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai
7 of 12 Photo by Thomas J. Story; written by Julie Chai

Illuminate the evening

  • westelm.com for porcelain tea-light holder, from $9

Perforated porcelain candleholders cast a geometric glow over the whole space.

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Jeffery Cross
8 of 12 Jeffery Cross

Inject some metal

  • shopsteellife.com for Basin Mod Dish, $129

Use this 16-inch-wide dish as a shallow planter or fill it with water for a mini reflecting pool. Either way, the parrot red color makes this a standout feature.

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Jeffery Cross
9 of 12 Jeffery Cross

Get cozy

  • textillery.com for Rjoe Outdoor Throw, $199

Found, finally: A soft throw that can actually be left outside, thanks to Sunbrella’s performance fibers.

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Jeffery Cross
10 of 12 Jeffery Cross

Serve with flair

  • wolfum.com for Axo bowls, $85/set of 3

Serve nuts, olives, and other small bites in these solid ash 10- by 11-inch trays. They wipe clean with a sponge.

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Jeffery Cross
11 of 12 Jeffery Cross

Add pops of color

  • crateandbarrel.com for Festive Small Planters, $9.95 each

Fill these 7-inch pots with fragrant basil and march a row of them down an outdoor dining table or hang them with wall hooks.

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Jeffery Cross
12 of 12 Jeffery Cross

Dine on eye candy

  • pottedstore.com for serving bowl, $40 and plates, $48/set of 4

Artist Lotta Jansdotter spreads her Scandi-inspired patterns over a line of outdoor-ready melamine dinnerware.

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