How to create a cosy and functional outdoor oasis for your next patio party

When it comes to creating an outdoor oasis, plan your design scheme ahead of time and incorporate pieces that suit all weather conditions.

Start with your furniture: if you like your existing set, clean it off, oil it if it’s teak and take a long hard look at the seat cushions. Chances are they look a bit faded and worn and not in a shabby chic way. Updating the cushions and bringing in new pillows in a colour scheme that you love and works with the interior of your home is key. Perhaps choose neutral for the large seating areas, and update with aqua or mint accents. If you have a more traditional home and garden, go for bold and whimsical floral fabrics.

Whatever your taste, have a colour scheme and a look planned  and carry that through to your choices for tabletop and sun umbrellas. Even if it’s a gloomy day, the updated seating decor will insist on bottoms sitting and sipping cocktails — even if a cardigan, wrap or wellington boots are in order.

Your guests deserve to be sheltered from the perils of summer. So it is up to you to be prepared! Our weather is so unpredictable: it could be steamy hot and humid or pouring rain and be miserably cold. Swedes have a saying: there is no bad weather, only bad clothes. That can be applied to planning for outdoor entertaining decor.

For cool days and evenings, have some cosy throws on hand to keep the party outside. Make sure you have inexpensive colourful umbrellas dotted about the garden in planters. They look fun and are at the ready to grab in case one of our monsoon rainstorms happens. In case of extreme heat, get some fun and inexpensive paper fans from Chinatown and have them on tables and on decorative trays for guests to use. Add a mint julep, and it will feel like Gone with the Wind.

Lighting is key for long summer evening get-togethers to feel just right. String up some baby LED strands of lighting among foliage to break up the brightness of the bulbs and to light the trees and bushes at the same time. Solar lighting is a great option to light pathways and sitting areas, and it knows exactly when to turn itself on and off! And candles, everywhere — they are the most romantic way to bring light to any space and will help to repel insects at the same time.

I love wearing high heels and hate to find myself sinking slowly into grass knowing my shoes are about to die a sad death. I love the practical aspect and exotic feeling of outdoor rugs spread out on gardens. Whether on grass or gravel or pavers, they look like Marrakesh or Italy and solve the problem of spiky footwear. Find colours and designs that complement rather than match your overall decor. I love bright colours on the ground.

Fill your planters with fragrant flowers: gardenias, mock orange, night-blooming jasmine or honeysuckle for an added layer to al fresco dining and hanging out with friends.

I love a conversation gathering point. An outdoor gas fireplace is perfect. It doesn’t smoke, it turns on or off with the flick of the switch, it makes any evening special and it will allow you to be outdoors in the spring and fall as well as summer. Add some faux wicker seating, such as a sectional or sofas and chairs arranged to suit the space. Choose neutral upholstery and bright pillows — and a huge coffee table, so guests can bring their plates of food and drinks with them as they settle in by the fire.

Whatever you do, don’t neglect your outdoor space — new or freshly painted planters and new pillows and cushions are a must if your old furniture has that “stored in a damp shed during the winter”  look and smell.

Here’s to a long hot summer!

Hilary Farr is the tough-love designer and co-host of W Network’s Love It or List It. 

Article exclusive to STREETS OF TORONTO