Back garden gatherings are a testament to the simple pleasures of outdoor hospitality. When you’re working with a large open space, entertaining friends is easy, and the more, the merrier. But that’s not always true when you’re limited by a small patio. If the goal is to achieve a delightful blend of relaxation and camaraderie, even a small number of guests can feel overwhelming.
Outdoor entertaining isn’t just for those with large properties. With the right furniture and layout, you can maximize your tiny back garden, so hosting a dinner party doesn’t feel like you’re packing your friends and family in like sardines.
Embrace Intimate Dining Options
Knowing the limitations of your space is critical in making your back garden feel more spacious. Cramming a 10-seater table into a small space won’t make it feel bigger. It will make it feel smaller. The reality is that you likely don’t have the means to entertain that many people anyway.
Thankfully, there are plenty of modest 4-seater tables from Lazy Susan that are appropriately sized when finding usable space is challenging.
Dual-Purpose Furniture
Choosing furniture that does a double duty is also a clever way to create space. Instead of keeping extra chairs around the table at all times, consider investing in a practical garden bench. It can be placed in the yard as a unique focal point, and when you need more seating, it can be pulled up to a 4-seater table to make space for 6. For casual snacks and drinks, pair it with an outdoor coffee table that fits just as naturally on the lawn as on the patio.
Space-Saving Solutions
A dining set tucked away in the corner doesn’t necessarily take up much space when it’s not being used. But moving around the table can be tight as soon as you’ve got guests pulling up a seat to eat. With a lazy Susan, you don’t even have to get out of your seat to get what you need. Placed in the middle of the table, an aluminium turntable (and namesake of the Lazy Susan brand) can make serving yourself and sharing with others easier.
Make Your Space Work For You
While dinner party etiquette is mostly well-established, there are no rules for bringing together friends and family when it comes to space. A successful dinner party doesn’t require a dozen or more guests. When you consider seating and serving with the right furniture, you can make a dinner party with 3 or 4 friends as memorable as any other.
