How to Create The Perfect Outdoor Party Space

By Tyler Ellison

We know how much the venue sets the vibe. And, on the California Central Coast, the outdoors are a vibe. Mild evenings allow for gatherings almost year-round, so outdoor spaces become parts of the home—extensions of the kitchen, the dining room, the living room, and the party.

Properly envisioned outdoor spaces transform a bland lot into vibrant, flexible, and personal additions to the interior living areas. Here are some considerations for creating the perfect outdoor party space:

Embrace a particular design character

A grove of trees, a feature wall, a boulder outcrop, or interior architectural styling might all imbue landscape character. Conversely, a mishmash of incoherent features and materials is the easiest way to disjoint a garden. Attention to character results in the inclusion of similar materials, complementary colors, and pleasing combinations of texture. Perhaps a tile accent inside the house is repeated in a kitchen backsplash, or a modern architectural design is mirrored with segmented concrete or clean, large-format pavers. A thoughtful geometry of layout, attention to edges, and repetition of plant selections also work together to establish a cohesive character. During design, it is helpful to collect imagery of specific materials and arrange them in palettes to ensure that selections are complementary and attractive.

Determine the key amenities for your type of party.

A patio dining space provides the foundational element for outdoor parties. Food and drink are the fuel for good times, so having dedicated locations for sitting while eating, standing while munching, and even lounging while browsing can allow for a diversity of guests and party sizes. Additionally, a buffet area adjacent to cooking zones gives you flexibility during food preparation and service. In the planning stage, it is helpful to create a list of desired uses and features. Some of amenities worth considering on the Central Coast include:

- Cooking – Gas Barbecue, Griddle, Stove, Smoker, Wood Burning Oven, Ceramic Charcoal Grill

- Kitchen Elements – Sink, Counterspace, Trash Receptacle, Island, Refrigerator, Cooler, Warming Drawer, Cabinet, Water Heater, Ice Maker, Beverage Tap, Storage Drawer, Shelving

- Seating & Eating – Table and Chairs, Bistro Set, Bench, Bar Seating, Lounger, Seat Wall, Boulder Slab, Swing, Hammock, Patio, Deck, Nook, Overlook

- Activity & Play – Pool, Hot Tub, Plunge Pool, Play Structure, Hard Court, Turf, Bocce Ball Court, Open Game Space, Sand Box, Ping Pong Table, Horseshoe Pit

- Comfort & Protection – Pergola, Gazebo, Heater, Fireplace, Wind Screen, Shade Sail, Umbrella, Shade Tree

- Warmth & Atmosphere – Firepit, Fire Feature, Fountain, Waterfall, Pond, Boulder Outcrop, Sculpture, Dry Creek, Wall, Gate, Arch, Pillars, Trees and Planting

Design for personalized flexibility

Your landscape should be customized so you can throw any kind of party you like. How can the space morph for different guest lists, different activities, even different seasons? A lawn can offer play space for kids, cornhole for adults, or a dining extension for a big celebration. On a sloping site, a low-perimeter seat wall might maximize the potential of a patio nook. A central, elevated tree planter could provide built-in shade, definition of space, and a place to sit. One furnishing can also have multiple uses, like fire pits with hard covers can double as coffee tables or benches when the flame is off.

Find the best spot for your party

Existing features often help determine where you and your guests should cut loose! A sweeping view of the Paso Robles hills or a mature Atascadero oak tree might perfectly frame a central party space. Flow between doors, gates, and seating areas should be considered, as well as proximity to the kitchen. A broad primary access path with secondary collectors prevents choke points during a busy party. Sun and shade patterns, as well as wind and other climatic features, will suggest ideal zones for human enjoyment. For example, merrymakers in Morro Bay might want a party pad sheltered from blustery winds. Cloudy Los Osos revelers might need a comfortable, boulder-studded fire circle. Finally, planting provides a smooth transition from your hardscape into the larger landscape, playing a vital role in defining and elevating a space.

Furnish with durable and functional pieces

Remember, you aren’t setting up your space just for Instagrammable photos (though that may be a factor). Get tables, chairs, stools, and barbecues that will stand up to our environment—lots of sun, maybe fog or frost, and the occasional rain. Near the beach? Consider the effect of salt spray. Up in scorching North County? Plan for some sort of shade. Certain materials and finishes offer greater protection than others. Concrete, stone, and metal are the most rugged options. Pots, pillows, and plant material can provide easy splashes of color in combination with other earthier features.

Install lighting for function and safety

Lighting is the hidden gem of an outdoor party space! Since most parties happen later in the day, a beautifully illuminated garden turns a spooky yard into a welcoming room. There are many ways to light a space, and a well-designed lighting plan makes use of multiple fixture types. Up lights pointed along the trunks of trees can help define the boundary of a space. Integrated hardscape lights increase safety in stairways and definition along walls and fences. Overhead lights can provide an even glow across patio spaces. String “bistro” lights can provide low but consistent illumination over a large dining space.

Having a design plan before you start building your ideal outdoor space ensures that it’s cohesive and fully resolved. Some homeowners begin with a full vision, and that’s great! If you don’t quite know what you’re looking for, that’s no problem at all. It simply means taking the time to consider character and which locations, features, furnishings, and elements will work best for your party space. For complex projects, a professional landscape designer can guide the transformation of inspired ideas into buildable plans on paper. At the same time, parties are all about people, so gather food and friends, make some space outside, and you’ll have a great time!

For more information and help with your landscape project, please visit madronelandscapes.com.

Tyler Ellison is a landscape designer for Madrone Landscapes and graduate of the Landscape Architecture program at Cal Poly, SLO. He enjoys every opportunity to guide people in transforming their outdoor spaces into carefully crafted, vibrant, and lasting places for friends and family. On weekends he builds terrariums, brands, and furniture, or paints favorite scenes of the Central Coast in an expressive palette knife style.