Long summer nights are so close we can smell them! Alas, the countdown begins for the much anticipated season of outdoor entertaining and gatherings with loved ones. Say goodbye to dinner reservations, fighting for parking spots, and standing in line for overpriced cocktails and HELLO to a stylishly collected space for entertaining at home!

We have all the tips for just what you need to host the perfect outdoor event. Use these tips as inspiration then shop the Braum’s An Affair of the Heart show July 12-14 to curate your own assortment of items to help piece together the perfect entertaining space that fits your home and your style. Here’s a roundup of the 6 essentials to outdoor entertaining:

1. Seating


From floor poufs to outdoor sectionals, make sure to have ample seating and lounging for your guests. This can be a collected assortment of spots for your guests to land. Think floor pillows, stools, wicker rockers, hanging swings.

2. Ambience

The key to creating a cozy and inviting space is all about the mood and ambience! Fill your space with ambient lighting by stringing lights galore and adding LED candles to lanterns and scattering them about.

3. Bar

Your outdoor bar/beverage area can instantly become the focal point of the entertaining space so get creative with any piece of furniture. This can be anything from a side table/shelf to a rolling cart…as long as it’s loaded up with self serving items to make your guests feel at home! Fill a large glass drink dispenser with a big-batch cocktail and have local bottled beer on ice in a galvanized tub or a large terra cotta pot!

4. Texture

Outdoor throw pillows and rugs can instantly add the perfect amount of warmth and texture to your space. Roll up throw blankets and place them in wicker baskets for when the temps drop. Don’t be afraid to bring your potted indoor plants outside and scatter them around your already planted landscaping. Also add hanging plants to bring an added botanical element.

5. Dinnerware/Serving Dishes

Your dinnerware does not need to all be from the same collection to work together. Choose a cohesive color palette and collect away! From rattan chargers to textured melamine plates…an eclectic look is festive for the summer months! Also, wrap your cutlery in a cloth napkin and stick it in a mason jar at every place setting!

6. Centerpieces/Tablescape

Get creative with your centerpieces by gathering random pitchers and vases and filling them with fresh cut flowers and sprigs of greenery from your yard. You can even clip a branch from your tree to place in a vase. Your centerpieces don’t have to be fancy to feel purposeful and stylish.

Entertaining is all about the experience and connection with your guests. When planning your next soiree, be mindful of these 6 essentials and you’ll surely be the talk of the town! Our vendors have everything you need to style a fun and thoughtfully collected outdoor entertainment space! Happy entertaining!!