Jonathan’s Backyard Party Tips—Including How to Look Boujee on a Budget
If there’s one thing Drew and Jonathan knew they had to do when they renovated their parents’ new LA house, it was to make the backyard the perfect place for entertaining. Between the grandkids, all their friends, and Drew, Jonathan, and JD popping their heads in, Jim and Joanne wanted to have a space that was cozy and comfortable for everyone to relax together. And because Drew and Jonathan also love to host (have you seen Parker and Piper’s adorable birthday party photos yet?!), they had a blast designing their parents’ outdoor spaces to make them just right.
Jonathan sat down recently to give us the inside scoop on his best tips to make your next backyard party a hit. With his helpful hints and ideas, you can make your outdoor space feel boujee on a budget—really! A few thoughtful touches and affordable swaps, and your backyard will be camera-ready for a beautiful outdoor gathering that will leave your guests feeling warm, welcome, and special. After all, you thought of everything (thanks to Jonathan!).
1. Use a Diffuser to Keep Bugs Away
“What ruins a picnic faster than bugs? Nothing,” Jonathan says. But those annoying zapper lanterns aren’t your only option for keeping the critters at bay. Instead, look to an essential oil diffuser to solve your insect issues—and make your space smell great. Lavender is a natural mosquito deterrent, and it keeps bugs like moths and flies away, too. Just fill the reservoir with some distilled water and some drops of lavender essential oil, and refill as needed. Easy!
2. Add Fruit to Ice Cubes for a Pop of Color
Here’s one of Jonathan’s favorite backyard party tips: When you’re freezing your ice cubes ahead of the party, plop some fruits in, too, so they freeze inside the ice cubes. “It’s such a simple, subtle little thing,” Jonathan says. But it provides a ton of payoff. You can go on-theme with the rest of the backyard dinner party—for example, if you’re having a 4th of July gathering, you can use white strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries to complement the rest of your July 4th decor. Or instead, use fruits as a way to add a bold pop of color into your summer tablescape.
3. Refresh Your Look With Placemats and Runners
“Have a variety of placemats,” Jonathan says, “So if you’re doing an Easter dinner, or a birthday, or anniversary, everything can have a little bit of a different feel.” You can truly transform your table by swapping these items out and keeping some things the same. “Use the same tablecloth for all of your parties and you’re totally fine,” he says. This will save you money on other decorations or single-use, themed items, while still making your tablescape look refreshed and beautiful.
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4. Display Fresh Flowers to Brighten Up the Table
Who doesn’t love the look and smell of fresh flowers on the table? Not only do they bring some life to your table setting, but they also provide welcome color and contrast. You can choose blooms that complement your other table decor—like pink peonies alongside blush pink linen napkins, or blue hydrangeas with cornflower blue vintage plates. “Flowers are so important,” Jonathan says. It doesn’t have to be super expensive, either. It’s all about how you style them. “Even if you were to grab something just at the grocery store that normally comes in the plastic, it doesn’t look great—take it out of that, and put it into a nice vase,” Jonathan says. Arrange and cut your flowers to fit nicely, and it’ll look great.
5. Add Place Cards to Table Settings
“If it’s a more formal party, I also like to do little tent cards and have something on them that feels custom,” Jonathan says. “We’ll draw a little pastel flower or something like that—anything to personalize it to your guests goes a long way.” These days, you can buy amazing place cards online and they’ll even offer name printing with your purchase. It provides that just-right special touch that doesn’t take much effort, but looks intentional. Small backyard party tips like this make a big impact on your guests and the overall backyard dinner party vibe.
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Bree Pulver
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
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