26 outdoor essentials to get your backyard guest-ready, according to event planning experts

CNN

4 days ago

Outdoor entertaining quick picks
So your deck has plenty of comfy seats: Burrow Dunes Teak 4-Piece Sectional
A still-stylish alternative to breakable glassware: Crate & Barrel Schott Zwiesel Tour Outdoor Stemless Wine Glass
For fun, personalizable dinners: Ooni Koda 16 Gas-Powered Pizza Oven
To get rid of the grime on your patio: Westinghouse ePX3500 Electric Pressure Washer Inviting people to your home for a backyard hang seems like a good idea — until you actually survey your outdoor space and realize it's definitely not ready for summer entertaining. Maybe you don't have enough comfortable seating for guests, or perhaps there are too many mosquitoes flying around. Whatever the case might be, there are easy steps you can take to transform your backyard in a matter of days.
To help determine what you might need, I spoke to Jean Kintisch, the founder and owner of Pine Hill Events, and Elizabeth Tulipana, the owner and creative director of Anticipation Events. I even compiled products our editors personally love and combed through expert-recommended outdoor furniture picks to pull out options that'll have your yard guest-ready in no time.
The expert- and editor-recommended products on this list span a range of categories, from misting fans and pest control devices to stylish serveware and outdoor lighting. Once you're done with your haul, you'll want to throw a backyard soiree just to show it all off.
Ego Power+ LM2135SP Select Cut Electric Lawn Mower
Don't make your visitors trek through tall, scratchy grass. Instead, make sure your lawn is manicured when they arrive with the help of our favorite electric lawn mower. It can mow an entire standard lawn on one charge and has seven cutting height positions, so it's able to tackle even the toughest jobs.Read our review
Westinghouse ePX3500 Electric Pressure Washer
A grimy, dirt-covered patio just won't do. Make your primary hosting area look presentable with the help of this pressure washer, another CNN Underscored staffer favorite. It comes with five nozzles that offer varying pressure to help you clean a wide variety of surfaces, and our tester noted that the machine was 'incredibly manageable to move from one location to another.' Read our review
Walensee Stand-Up Weed Puller
Maybe you don't have a full-on flourishing flower garden, and that's okay! But at the very least, you should make sure there are no weeds growing throughout your yard, as they can be both obtrusive and an eyesore. Our director of product design loves this weed puller, praising its ease of use, ergonomic design and effectiveness. With this tool, your outdoor space will practically look professionally landscaped.Read our review
Vigoro Premium Brown Wood Shredded Mulch
In addition to doing maintenance on grass and any flowers you might have in your backyard, Tulipana also suggests putting down fresh mulch. The brown color of this lawn-care-specialist-recommended mulch also enhances the appearance of flower beds, making vibrant colors pop even more.
Koopower 16-Foot LED Fairy Lights, 4-Pack
Kintisch said adding string or fairy lights around your outdoor space can help achieve an intimate ambiance. For that, consider the Koopower string light set, which comes in a pack of four. The lights are battery-operated and waterproof, and if you forget to turn them off at the end of the night, no worries — they have an auto-shutoff feature after six hours.
Mainstays Citronella 2-Wick Outdoor Jar Candles, Set of 2
Tulipana likes to put out citronella candles if it's not windy, and this Mainstays set is a foolproof pick. You get two candles packaged in pretty glass jars, so they look way more expensive than their $14 price tag. As far as mosquito repellents go, this is definitely one of the most stylish options.
Vinkor Flameless Candles, 9-Pack
If it is, in fact, a windy day, Kintisch suggests putting out flameless LED candles. They achieve the same romantic vibe as regular lit candles, but obviously without the fire hazard. Amazon has countless options, including this nine-piece bundle of pillar candles that vary in height.
Newhouse Lighting LED Bullet Flood Light
'If the homeowner has feature lights in the yard or strung market lights already, those are great,' Kintisch said. 'Otherwise, you can rent uplights to highlight trees in the yard and architectural features of the home.' The Home Depot and other home improvement retailers sell uplights like this one, so be sure to snag a few if you want to show off a set of columns on your back porch or your new garden trellis.
Crate & Barrel Batten Acacia Wood LED Solar Outdoor Lantern
Rounding out the cozy lighting recs are, of course, lanterns. You can find plenty of design-forward options online, like this acacia wood number from Crate & Barrel. It comes in different sizes, so you might even snag all three and set them in different spots on your deck for a mix-and-match yet still cohesive vibe.
Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller
Kintisch has used companies like Mosquito Shield to spray entire venues with mosquito repellent, but if you don't want to pay for a service like that, our editors suggest getting a Thermacell device instead. The softball-sized device emits a human- and dog-safe repellent into the air, creating a 20-foot mosquito-free zone. Even better still, the repellent doesn't have an odor.Read our review
Shark FlexBreeze Fan With InstaCool Mist Attachment
'Fans are great, including misting fans,' Kintisch said. Shark's outdoor-friendly FlexBreeze fan comes with a misting attachment, and you can even detach the cord when you bring the fan onto the deck (it has a 24-hour battery run time). What's more, the pedestal collapses, so you can transform it into a tabletop fan in a second.
Banana Boat 1-Ounce Ultra Sport SPF 30 Sunscreen, 24-Pack
Both of our experts recommend keeping mini sunscreens on hand for guests if it's a sunny day. You can buy Banana Boat's mini sport sunscreens in bulk and set them out on a console table for easy access. When testing different sunscreens, our team liked this brand's spray formula. Like the spray, this version is also sweat- and water-resistant.
Proven Insect Repellent Spray
In addition to sunscreen, both Kintisch and Tulipana say you should hand out bug sprays to help friends ward off mosquitoes and other insects. If you don't want to buy sprays in bulk, though, you can just buy a couple of bottles of this editor-favorite repellent and place them in an easily accessible spot for people to spray as they need.Read our review
Beurer BR60 Insect Bite Healer
Still got a couple of bug bites? No problem. Kintisch said this device is 'super' when it comes to treating the resulting swelling and itching. The palm-sized gadget uses heat to speed up the healing process, so you'll definitely want to set one of these out, just in case.
Jisulife Handheld Mini Fan
Accordion hand fans could double as cute party favors for your guests, though Kintisch also likes this battery-powered portable fan. Consider buying a couple to loan to friends during the event, and then you can always stash the fans in your own work tote, gym duffel and beach bag for personal use later. Or, you can avoid the clutter and have your guests take them home. That's kind of what Amina Lake Patel, our home and gifts editor, did last summer: She brought a bunch of these to her bachelorette party in hot and humid Savannah, GA, and let her friends keep them.
Ninja Slushi Frozen Drink Maker
Our experts suggested keeping cold drinks on hand for guests to grab, in which case you'll want to set out a cooler or two. Alternatively, a countertop appliance like the Ninja Slushi can churn out all kinds of frozen drinks based on the customizable recipes you choose. Plus, the sheer novelty of having one of these in your home is bound to get some 'oohs' and 'ahhs' from partygoers. CNN Underscored associate editor Rachel Dennis tested it last summer and loved it.Read our review
Article Hulst Outdoor Bar Cart
'I think bringing in carts is great fun,' Kintisch said when asked about other touches party hosts can add to their outdoor events. Even if you don't have the funds to rent an actual bar, food truck or ice cream cart, you can still wheel out your regular bar cart and stock it with both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. This one from Article is made for outdoor use, and it can double as a nice little prep or snack station.
Ooni Koda 16 Gas-Powered Pizza Oven
You could hire a pizza chef to prepare artisanal pies for attendees, or you could just invest in an outdoor pizza oven. It's definitely more casual but still pretty enticing as far as dinner options go. When our team tested different pizza ovens, the Ooni Koda 16 was praised for its easy-to-use design and even cooking. With this outdoor appliance, you can enjoy Neapolitan-style pizzas in your own backyard.
Schott Zwiesel Tour Outdoor Stemless Wine Glass
Red Solo cups don't exactly scream 'sophisticated,' but we understand if you don't want to risk guests dropping your nice crystal glasses. Luckily, there's acrylic drinkware that looks like glass, and it's designed specifically for outdoor use. Crate & Barrel has an entire collection of beautiful acrylic glasses (both stemmed and stemless), so grab what you need before your next party.
Lacgo Waterproof Floating Lotus Lights, 12-Pack
'If you have a pool or a pond or some sort of body of water in your yard, incorporate it!' Tulipana said. 'The easiest way to do this is to float something in it: swans, lit orbs, floral [decor] — anything that floats is an option and a fun way to get creative.' The pool floaties that caught our attention? These ultra-cute LED lotuses.
Burrow Dunes Teak 4-Piece Outdoor Sectional
Kintisch's biggest tips for choosing comfortable patio furniture are to choose seating with cushions and to avoid pieces with metal frames that get hot from the sun. Burrow's Dunes collection checks both of these boxes. This sectional sports a weatherproof teak frame and quick-drying foam cushions. It even has a built-in side table for convenient drink storage.
GCI Outdoor Slim-Fold Table XL
Summer is about enjoying good meals with the people you love, preferably alfresco. This GCI Outdoor folding table allows you to do just that. It comfortably seats six, holds up to 125 pounds for easy prep and features built-in handles.
Purple Leaf Square Cantilever Patio Umbrella
Perhaps even more important than seating, a patio umbrella will provide relief from the sun and give your yard a beachy aesthetic. When we asked interior design experts for their recs, one of them provided us with this cantilever model, which is big enough to cover an entire seating area despite being one of the most affordable options on the list. It has a UV-resistant and water-repellent fabric canopy, as well as an extra-thick pole that won't succumb to wind.
Outer Aluminum Dining Table
If you're hosting an outdoor dinner party, make sure you have a table large enough to accommodate your entire group. This one from Outer is great because it's made from powder-coated aluminum, which the brand promises will last at least 10 years. What's more, the table seats up to six people (you can add chairs to make your order a complete dining set) and comes with the brand's water-resistant OuterShell cover, which protects the table from pollen and dirt.
AllModern Wicker Outdoor Lounge Chairs, Set of 2
'We love using couches and comfy mismatched chairs for seating when possible,' Tulipana said of the events she plans. When it comes to outdoor lounge chairs, Wayfair has tons of cute options that won't break the bank. This set has a trendy hammock weave design and comes in five colors, including some bold, perfect-for-summer hues. If you want, you can place cushions on each chair to make it even more comfortable.
Tiki 25-Inch Smokeless Patio Fire Pit
Kintisch likes the way a fire pit can create a cozy mood, and our testing team just so happens to have found the perfect one. This model from Tiki gives off minimal smoke and doesn't require a ton of maintenance throughout the evening. Measuring 25 inches across, it also doesn't take up a lot of space. Just be sure to stock up on some wood pellets too.Read our review First and foremost, you need to keep in mind the weather forecast for the day of your outdoor event and plan accordingly, said Kintisch. 'You need to plan for rain, wind, sun, bugs,' she said. 'Consider renting tents, shade umbrellas and fans, providing sunscreen and bug spray, and have an indoor Plan B location just in case Mother Nature does not cooperate.'
Tulipana seconds the bug spray and sunscreen idea, adding that mini bottles 'are functional and also make for cute takeaways where people can just take what they need, and nothing will go to waste.'
Beyond stocking up on items that'll help make your guests feel comfortable, you'll also need cleaning and maintenance supplies to tidy up your yard or patio. Kintisch recommends cutting the grass short and getting rid of standing water, like puddles or old bird bath water. Additionally, make sure there's plenty of cushioned seating, and keep it out of the sun as much as possible, especially if it has a metal frame.
Finally, Kintisch said, 'Hosts should communicate to guests that the event will be primarily outdoors so they can dress accordingly.'
The following FAQs have been answered by Elizabeth Tulipana, the owner and creative director of Anticipation Events.
How should you decorate your backyard for an outdoor party?
How should you decorate your backyard for an outdoor party?
'We love creating a visual so people know when they have arrived,' Tulipana says. 'Especially if guests haven't been to the home before, it's a reassuring way to let them know they are at the right place.' She suggests a floral installation, signs or even tying ribbons to a tree in your front yard for an instant party vibe.
If you're feeling a little extra, you can rent a real bar instead of using a folding table. 'It is much more functional for service, easier to keep clean and is a nice touch to elevate the party,' Tulipana added.
If you're hosting more guests than usual, you could clear out space for a dance floor, which is, according to the event planner, 'also a nice way to anchor the space and elevate the event (and also save your grass).'
How else can you make your guests feel appreciated at a party?
How else can you make your guests feel appreciated at a party?
'At the end of the night, set up a station with ice-cold water, aguas frescas, popsicles or individual ice cream to-go for guests to take in the car, which will not only cool them down but leave them thinking that you thought of absolutely everything for your party,' Tulipana said.
For this article, we consulted the following event planning experts to gain their professional insights on hosting in your backyard.
Jean Kintisch, founder and owner of Pine Hill Events
Elizabeth Tulipana, owner and creative director of Anticipation Events
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this story, associate home and gifts editor Nikol Slatinska consulted event planners to get their product recommendations and tips for summer backyard entertaining.