Outdoor Entertaining Ideas and Decor for Summer and Beyond

Outdoor entertaining ideas, decorating tips and more to make the most of your porch, patio, deck, pergola, gazebo and yard all summer and beyond.

I know we’re all thinking about packing up all the trappings of summer as we move into back-to-school and pumpkin spice mode. But in my opinion, this is the perfect season to get outside and enjoy your porches, patios, decks and backyards. So, I’ve rounded up my favorite outdoor entertaining ideas and products from Wayfair to inspire you to party al fresco!

If you think outdoor entertaining season is almost over, you must not live in the South!

Seriously, after months of sizzling heat, it’s finally cooling off enough that you can spend time outdoors without melting, sweating and waging war with the mosquitos. Some nights (and days), it’s downright pleasant.

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I plan on logging many hours here throughout the dog days of summer, fall and even the early winter months!

We always work on our big outdoor projects in the late summer and early fall because we don’t have to contend with sweltering heat and springtime pollen. I also find that it’s also a great time to buy outdoor furniture, accessories and entertaining essentials because retailers are running end-of-season sales and clearance deals.

At the end of this post, you’ll find a shoppable list of fun outdoor decor and entertaining finds from Wayfair. Some of the items are on my personal wishlist, while others are inspired by our outdoor spaces and how we entertain.

If you’re stumped for how to decorate your outdoor spaces or how to use them, I hope you’ll find these simple outdoor decorating tips and outdoor entertaining ideas useful.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. If you make a purchase based on my referral, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Treat Your Outdoor Spaces as An Extension of your Home

I like to treat our porches and patios as outdoor rooms. Comfortable, cozy seating is a must — for long conversations and outdoor naps! Pile on the outdoor pillows and throws for a homey touch.

Make sure you have enough seating to accommodate all your guests, comfortably. Add in garden stools for extra seating and side tables and coffee tables so guests have a place to sit their drinks and prop their feet.

Layer in accessories, like rugs, plants and outdoor lighting to create a cohesive look.

Choose Materials and Finishes that Can Survive Outdoors

Because they’re exposed to elements — sun, rain, snow, wind, high temperatures and low — outdoor furnishings and accessories take a lot of abuse.

Choose materials that are designed for use outdoors, like a pergola or playset made of cedar, seating made of all-weather wicker or a porch swing made of a composite material.

If you like the look of painted furniture outdoors, use durable exterior-grade paint and plan to refresh the finish every few years.

If you invest in outdoor cushions, be sure you choose outdoor-rated fabrics and foam. And even then, I recommend storing cushions and pillows in a deck box when not in use. I keep my decorative pillows in an outdoor trash can when they’re not being used and also off season.

Plan to Party

Having another space to entertain is one of favorite things about our patio.

We built a potting bench to use as a server and also added a long farmhouse-style table with seating for eight for outdoor dining.

To make outdoor entertaining easy, I’ve stocked up on pretty melamine plates and glasses, as well as serving trays that can be used outside without fear of damage.

Acrylic beverage dispensers are another must-have for outdoor parties.

And don’t forget about things like patio coolers for icing down drinks and a grill or smoker for all those ribs and hotdogs you’ll be cooking.

Don’t forget about fun & games

An outdoor space isn’t complete without a few fun and games.

We have cornhole, badminton and disc golf for our backyard, but there are so many different outdoor games you can play.

Some friends invited us over recently for an old-fashioned homemade ice cream and baseball party, and it was so much fun!

Shop for Your Outdoor Space

Now that I’ve inspired you with my outdoor entertaining ideas and decorating tips, let’s furnish your space. You can shop for my favorite outdoor items here:

80 Qt. Patio Rolling Cooler // More Coolers	Performance 5-Burner Propane Gas Grill With Cabinet // More Gas Grills	Rosemead Patio Sofa with Sunbrella Cushions // More Patio Sofas & Sectionals	Outdoor Throw Pillow // More Throw Pillows
10-Piece Plain Cornhole Set // More Cornhole Yard Games	Stiles Unbreakable 3.5 Gallon Beverage Dispenser // More Beverage Serveware	Deanery Glaze Melamine Dinner Plate // More Plates & Saucers	Niebuhr Garden Stool // More Accent Stools
Gaskins Dark Gray Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug // More Area Rugs	Copper Wood Burning Fire Pit // More Outdoor Fireplaces & Fire Pits	S’more to Love S’more Maker // More Baking Dishes	6 Qt. Electric Hand Ice Cream Maker // More Ice Cream & Yogurt Makers
10-Piece Badminton Set // More Badminton Games	YardMaster Foldable Outdoor Portable Lightweight Projection Movie Screen // More Projection Screens	Rectangular Melamine Serving Tray // More Decorative Trays	Woodridge Elite All Cedar Wooden Swing Set // More Swing Sets
Sumatra 135 Gallon Resin Deck Box // More Deck Boxes & Patio Storage	100-Light 100 ft. Globe String Lights // More String Lights	Vineyard Porch Swing // More Porch Swings	Deluxe 4-Person Traditional Wicker Picnic Basket // More Picnic Baskets