How to make a garden party space – Part 1

Whatever size your garden you want to entertain out there, party the days and nights away, chill in a chair with your friends in the sun or shade. Here are some ideas to help you make a garden party space, whether it’s a small city garden or a big plot. Here goes.

Split the garden into zones

How to split a small garden into zones

You can split a small garden into zones quickly using willow or hazel hurdles, or some other kind of windbreak. When it’s removable you can use the space in more than just one way. If there’s a lawn you could split it up using colourful beach windbreaks, the big ones with a good height. It gives you privacy as well as an instant party area. Add a parasol for more privacy and cool shade.

To split your small garden into zones permanently, bamboo is a good choice. It gives you a lovely look, grows fast and tall, and many types are evergreen. You can trim it if you like. Follow the bamboo planting guidelines to stop it spreading.

Small evergreens will do the job just as well. You could even make a privet box to party in, a square hedge with a central lawn inside. You can actually do a lot with a 3m x 3m space.

How to split a large garden into zones

When your garden is large, permanent zones are on the menu. You might want a seating area for lounging and a separate dining space for feasts, plus a few ‘break-out’ areas where people can gather. Think about lighting, heat, shade and shelter to help you decide what to do and where. You might not want to put a BBQ in the teeth of the prevailing wind or your garden furniture somewhere that gets far too hot.

Choosing a focal point for your garden party space

A focal point can mean anything from a statue to a dramatic plant or sculpture. For a small garden it’s good to think of it as the place you tend to gather naturally – and that means fire. A chimenea, fire pit or fire bowl makes a lovely place to sit and chat, eat near, and lounge. Now you’ve got that settled, you can arrange the garden furniture and everything else around it.

As the owner of a big garden you’ve got room to have a fire source in every zone and still go wild, making a focal point for each zone. Have fun with unusual plants, interesting pots, archways cut into hedging to draw the eye through, garden art, massive mirrors, huge rocks, pedestals, stone animals, water features, whatever takes your fancy.

Bringing the indoors outside

How to bring the indoors outside in a small garden

Your garden furniture choices make all the difference when it’s a small garden. Choose a good quality garden furniture set based on what you’ll be doing most – eating, lounging or both – and pick one with the good looks of a set you’d use indoors. The on-trend shade at the moment is grey, from deep and dark greys to pale, subtle and often multi-grey for a natural finish. make it look different and funky with colourful cushions and throws.

Next, accessorise. Lush plants and flowers in pots, candles burning in contemporary wooden candle lamps, bunting, LED lights, mirrors, plant shelves stacked with tumbling blooms, stacks of warm blankets for late nights, and anything else that makes it feel like home.

How to bring the indoors outside in a big garden

The same applies for big gardens. You just have more space to do it. Treat each of your zones like an outdoor room, accessorise accordingly and it’ll look fantastic.

There’s plenty more to say. Come back again for Part 2.