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You are here: Home / Parties / 13 Easy Outdoor Party Decor Ideas For Any Celebration

13 Easy Outdoor Party Decor Ideas For Any Celebration

Parties· Party Decorations

8 Aug
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Selection of outdoor party decor ideas that will make decorating your special occasion super easy.

Create a space for large or small gatherings that will ensure you celebrate in style.

Selection of outdoor party decor ideas that will make decorating your special occasion super easy. Create a space for large or small gatherings that will ensure you celebrate in style.

Related articles:

  • 8 of The Best Easy Party Table Backdrop Ideas
  • How To Make Amazing Tissue Paper Decorations

Planning an outdoor event and looking for some outdoor party decoration ideas? 

An outdoor celebration is a popular choice in the warm weather with balmy evenings. It is the perfect opportunity to get out in the fresh air and entertain with friends.

Outdoor entertaining is however even a popular choice in the colder months. With the correct preparation, a backyard event is a great idea.

The great thing is that regardless of whether you are hosting a birthday party, engagement party or even just a simple gathering of friends, an outdoor space can be easily decorated. 

The simple decorations that you choose will influence the overall feel and vibe of your party.

Whilst we have included a lot of easy outdoor party decor ideas, you certainly don’t want to use them all.

Choose the ones that are best suited to the style of party you are creating.  

A few simple pieces will always look better than a little bit of everything!

1. Lighting Up Your Outdoor Space

When it comes to outdoor party decor ideas, the lighting has to be the number one priority.

Lighting is a great way to add an instant vibe to your party and the type of lighting chosen will also have a huge impact.

It is a good idea to think about the overall vibe you want to achieve at your party and start there.

Do you want everything to be lit up brightly or do you want simple mood lighting?

Simple String Lights: Fairy lights make a great option for lighting outdoor parties. They are simple to style with, can be used anywhere and they are also cost effective.

Use many different sets of string lights and drape them all over the outdoor area. You don’t really have to have any styling knowledge to use string lights and they will instantly change up the feel and vibe of your area.

String Bulbs: For a more contemporary look, use string bulb lighting. Drape them between tree branches, across a fence line or hook under the pergola roof. They are guaranteed to look fab.

String bulb lights over a fence

Mason Jars With Tea Lights: Mason jars are great to use for party styling and can instantly take any area from drab to fab. Use with tea lights or candles inside.

Paper Lanterns: Paper lanterns add to a bohemian vibe and always look gorgeous. Choose simple white paper lanterns or lanterns of color. You wont however be disappointed with this simple style of lighting. They also look beautiful used in conjunction with string lights. 

backyard paper lanterns

Tiki Torches: For a tropical vibe, tiki torches are a great touch. Just ensure that care is taken to the placement of them so guests will not bump into them and they wont catch light to any of your garden trees or bushes!

Neon signs: Neon signs are a lot of fun and perfect for an outdoor space. The signs can be obtained in all kinds of sayings and will bring a fun vibe to the party.

2. Outdoor Rugs

Using an outdoor rug might not be the first thing that comes to mind when decorating an outdoor space, but it can make a huge difference to the seating areas.

Outdoor rugs can help break up the seating areas and clearly mark out a defined seating space.

outdoor garden rug with string lights

For a more relaxed vibe, you may also wish to place cushions and throws onto the rug to encourage guests to relax and unwind.

If on a budget, a lot of these items can be found in a thrift shop.

3. Define The Seating

Comfortable outdoor seating areas at a party doesn’t have to be created just with chairs. Let’s face it, not many of us have an extended amount of patio furniture to cater for a number of people.

As discussed previously, an outdoor rug with cushions and throws makes an awesome seating area that is also easy to coordinate.

Alternatively, bean bags and outdoor pillows also provide a lot more easy seating options. If kids are coming to the party, then they will also love these!

casual backyard seating area

The advantage of having this kind of casual seating is that guests can easily move them around to suit and people wont feel locked into sitting at arrangements that have been pre-organised.

​If you have a larger amount of party guests, ensure that you create several small seating arrangements to allow for easier conversation. 

4. Take The Indoors Outdoors

Not everyone has a large amount of patio furniture or want to hire it.

Another option is to simply bring some of the indoor furniture to the outdoors. This is obviously weather permitting, but things like dining table and chairs are easy to bring outside. This would be especially fun if hosting a dinner party.

Alternatively go hunting in thrift stores for furniture which could be used. Think about items such as ottomans and coffee tables which can be scattered about.

5. Decorate With Shade

Hosting an outdoor party always comes with the risk of bad weather. Even parties held in the middle of summer can be hit with unexpected weather.

It’s therefore a good idea to prepare for some shaded area just in case.

But this shade can also add to the decor of your party.

Whilst you may already have an undercover area attached to the house, having extra is never going to hurt.

Utilise a cabana tent or a gazebo to place food and seating under.

outdoor party gazebo

Decorate the top of the tent roof with string lights and it will look amazing.

Further style the tent however you want with lanterns, flowers, streamers (all of which will be discussed further on).

Depending how often you like to entertain, you could consider buying them, otherwise renting is always a great option.

If your party is being held in the day and it’s in the warmer months, then you will need to ensure you have catered for adequate sun shade.

​Place seating arrangements under trees or other shady spots. If there isn’t enough shade then you will need to create it.

Garden umbrella’s are a great easy option that can also be moved around as needed.

6. Utilise Water Features

Do you have a pool, hot tub or water feature in the yard?

Even if you don’t plan on actually using them, they are a fun way of adding to the party decor.

Set lights and seating around these areas to encourage party guests to congregate there. It’s a simple spot for conversation.

backyard party with pool

This is a great way of utilising what you already have without actually creating any added work.

7. Party Backdrop

The perfect way to create a party feature is to have a party backdrop. This can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be.

An easy party backdrop can be created simply by using plastic tablecloths.

Garden party backdrop

Alternatively wood panels, wood pallets or artificial grass wall panels are perfect for an outdoor space. 

8. Fresh flowers

Flowers are always beautiful for styling with and what better place to use them than in your backyard.

Choose between large or small flower arrangements for a different feel.

A small amount of flowers placed in glass or mason jars and scattered around the party area always looks gorgeous.

Flowers in mason jars

Think about the colors and types of flowers that you wish to use as this.

Do you want simple and elegant or bright colors? 

The flowers you choose will ultimately affect the overall style that is achieved.

9. Balloons

Just because a party is outside, it doesn’t mean that you cant use balloons.

Whilst you might initially think of only using balloons at kids parties, they can actually be a stylish addition to adults parties too.

Choose the colors wisely and they can look absolutely amazing.

Backyard birthday balloons

There are many different ways to style balloons at parties. Just ensure that balloons are not placed in direct strong sunlight for too long to avoid them popping.

Using a balloon garland is a very popular styling option. A balloon garland creates a fantastic entry way, a focal point for photos or even above food tables.

Gathering balloons together in bunches look great hanging from ceilings, or add some helium to them and stand on balloon weights. This method will however be harder to keep under control in windy conditions.

10. Tissue Paper Pom Poms

Tissue paper pom poms are a great source of decoration, and can either be purchased pre-made or you could easily make them yourself.

Simply choose the color that you wish to use and create as many as you like. Hang them in groups, or individually.

They also look great up against a party backdrop or used to style the edges of a photo booth.

tissue paper pom poms

Be sure to use them undercover if there is any hint of the slightest bit of rain otherwise the pom poms will turn to mush pretty quickly.

11. Paper Fans

Paper fans can look very pretty and can instantly add a pop of color to your outdoor space. 

Unless you are planning a vibrant party, stick to just 2-3 colors. Gather them together in different sizes to add more flare and then place them at different heights to add further interest.

12. Streamers And Banners

The thought of using streamers and banners might initially seem childish, but it really depends how you use them.

Pick colors carefully and place strategically around the party area. If they are used all over it might look a bit overboard and not give the vibe you intend.

Outdoor party streamers

Streamers are also really good to use in creating a backdrop to a food table or a photo booth.

Further reading: How To Make A Tissue Paper Garland The Easy Way

13. Go Low Key

If the outside decoration still feels overwhelming with too many options to choose from, then the best thing to do is stick to low key decor.

Low key doesn’t mean boring, in fact it is the total opposite.

You can create an area that is completely next level simply by choosing one lighting option and adding a few throw cushions and blankets.

Whilst coordinating flowers, lanterns, photo booths and other decor items would be fun, it isn’t necessary if its going to cause stress.

Think the “less is more” scenario. 

Simple backyard party decor

The best way to decorate your own backyard is to pick a style that will help your guests have a great time.

There is no perfect place to add party decor.

Decorating literally is a case of what feels best in the space that you have and what will complement the vibe that you are trying to achieve.

With so many outdoor party decor ideas to choose from, there is certainly something to suite everyone’s taste and style. These ideas will help to ensure that your next outdoor gathering is one that everyone is going to be talking about for a long time to come.

Let’s keep in touch. Did you love these outdoor party decor ideas? Sign up to the weekly newsletter and you will be kept up to date with other easy party, recipe and decoration ideas. You will also have access to a whole heap of free printable’s.

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About Catherine Holt

Catherine Holt is the founder of Smart Party Planning. She is a stay at home mum with a passion for celebrating life’s little moments, with creative yet budget friendly ideas. Catherine often has a camera in hand capturing everyday events and is a self obsessed chocoholic! She loves connecting with other mum's on the blog and sharing party planning tips and tricks. Get all the answers to every aspect of party planning with her eBook today! If you want to hold a party with that ‘wow’ factor and have it tailored to the person you’re holding it for then this eBook is for you. Let Catherine take the stress and headache out of organizing your next party or event.

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Hi there, I'm Catherine. I'm a wife, mother of two and I love to celebrate life's little moments.

Welcome to Smart Party Planning where I provide easy ideas that every mom can implement regardless of baking or crafting skills. Simplicity is the name of the game. Read More…

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