b'outdoor featureDivide and conquertake it Similar to an open plan layout indoors, many outdoor spaces dont have fixed structural walls to divvy them upandnorwouldyouwantthemto.Youwill, however, still want to build a sense of intimacy and ambience. Therefore, the best approach is to apply the same strategy to your outdoor entertaining space as you would inside: divide it into zones for different tasks.outside Whilethenumberandtypeofzonesthatyou break your space up into will vary depending on the area you have available and how you want to put it to Try these top tips to make your outdooruse, some key zones youll likely want are a zone for preparing food, a zone for consuming food and one space an oasis for entertaining. or more conversation zones. There are a number of strategies you can employ for cordoning off those areas without closing them off completely, but they all come down to your furnishings and layout. Everything else you choose to do will be the icing on the cake.Flexible furnishings ReseneIt may go without saying that everyone is different,Alabasterbut it can be easy to forget that different people will find different types of seatingand different seating arrangementsmore comfortable than others. So notReseneonly does having flexible outdoor furniture make itTriple Merinosimpler to add or remove seating as your headcount expands or contracts, it also means that guests will have more choice when it comes to where and howResenetheyll be sitting while they socialise. SootheIf youre holding a larger gathering, unless youre putting on a true al fresco dinner party, you likely wont need a seat for every guest. Just like with indoorResenePaper Dollhouse parties, many people prefer to stand while they chat and mingle with others. Its also unlikely that everyone will arrive or eat at the same timeyourResenebarbeque can only cook so much at once, and whenAbove top: Wall in Resene Triple Merino, deck inCoral Treethe queue for the food is long, some people will holdResene Woodsman Tiri, ombre screen in (from top out for a shorter wait. That means that several peopleto bottom) Resene Ebb, Resene Soothe, Resene top tip may end up using the same place at the dining tablePaper Doll, Resene Coral Tree and Resene Merlot,Resenethroughout the course of the meal. plant pots in (from largest to smallest) Resene Ebb,MerlotUse Resene testpots toTryingtocrameveryoneintoonebigcircleResene Alabaster, Resene Coral Tree, Resene Paper decorate table runners,(especially when food is involved) seldom works wellDoll and Resene Merlot and pendant lamp shade in trays and party favours toResene Alabaster. Sofa and coffee table from Outside match your festivefor big gatherings. Instead of making everyone feelSpace, cushion from Collect Living. Resenecelebrations. included, this arrangement often does the opposite asBountyguests are too spread out to speak to one another. IfAbove bottom: Wall in Resene Triple Merino, deckthepersonbesidethemisalreadyengagedinin Resene Woodsman Tiri, screen in Resene Bounty conversation with someone else, some guests may(frame) and Resene Big Stone, large ombre plant potResenein Resene Gull Grey and Resene Balderdash, mediumGull Greyfeel left out and even bored.Above: Built-in backyard furniture can be especially helpful for smaller outdoorW hether you prefer to host more populousaWhether youre doing dinner or just drinks, forplant pot and pendant lamp shade in ReseneReseneareas as its certain to fit your unique dimensions and optimise the availableAlabaster, small plant pot in Resene Bounty. Sofa partiesorfancymoreintimateaffairs,smaller gatherings, you probably will want to provideand coffee table from Outside Space, cushion and floor space. Not only can a bench double as both a seat and a surface, youwhen the mercury is on the rise, so too isseat for each attendee. Sofas are great for peoplethrow from Collect Living. Balderdashcan also use it to store small seasonal items by building it as a cubby (withthe desire for social gatherings to spill out into outdoorwho like to cosy up, but if your guests arent family or one end open), a chest (with a hinged, removable top) or with sliding doorsareas. Its common to think that a few extra chairs arefriends, it can be uncomfortable or intimidating forOutdoor furniture in good condition can at the front. Wall in Resene Aspiring with mottled Mediterranean-style effectbe easily refreshed using Resene Lustacryl in Resene FX Paint Effects medium coloured with Resene Moon Mist, benchall you need to make your outdoor space ready forinvitees to have to sidle up to someone they dontsemi-gloss waterborne enamel or ReseneResenein Resene Aspiring, left wall and lattice blocks in Resene Moon Mist, deck inhosting a do, but theres a lot more to outdoor livingknow.ThisiswhereindividualarmchairsandtheEnamacryl gloss waterborne enamel to recoat Big StoneResene Woodsman Uluru, chair in Resene Yuma, table and large plant pot inspace design than many realise.almighty titan of outdoor entertainingthe beanbagit in a new colour. If your new colour is on the Resene Teak, smaller plant pot in Resene Siam, tray in Resene Flax and DIYNot only will leveraging a few fundamental designchaircome in handy.dark side, choose a Resene CoolColour versionstriped painted throw in Resene Yuma and Resene Flax, vases in Resene Thistleprinciples help it look good, itll increase your ease ofOccasional seating shouldnt be without a place forof your paint to keep the surface cooler. Reseneand Resene Eagle and tea light holder in Resene Bitter. Rug from Mocka,entertaining and up the comfort of your guestsand,guests to rest their plate or glass so its a good idea toMoon Mistcushions from Adairs and Allium, carafe and tumbler from Citt. Resene Resene Resenethus, the success of your party. Here are some keyhave some flexible tablesespecially at a height thatEbbSiam TeakResene Resene Resene Resene Woodsmanconsiderations for making your outdoor space readywill suit the seating type. Look for items that can beResene Resene Resene Resene WoodsmanFlaxThistle Eagle Uluru for your upcoming occasions. upcycled to be smaller table surfaces like woodenBitter AspiringYuma Tiri28 29'