11 Ways to Upgrade Your Yard for Entertaining

Style expert Caitlin Atkinson says, "The garden is your canvas--paint a warm, inviting picture on it." Here are some easy ways to do just that, and get your outdoor space in shape for weekend entertaining.

• pottedstore.com for Dash & Albert Diamond rug in canary and white, $298

A sunny polypropylene outdoor rug adds instant warmth and defines the party space. 6- by 9-ft.

• floragrubb.com for Fermob bistro metal chair, $99

Folding chairs in fun colors provide flexible extra seating indoors or out.

• fivefeetfromthemoon.com for 24- by 24-in. wall art, $300

Botanical and marine silhouettes—made with painted steel, strategically rusted and then sealed—add a pop of color to a not-yet-plant-covered fence.

• potterybarn.com for outdoor glass lanterns, from $10.50

Clusters of lights bring warmth to the patio corners.

• cb2.com for Luck side table, $149

A double-decker iron table, enameled a glossy green, sets off summery drinks.

• westelm.com for porcelain tea-light holder, from $9

Perforated porcelain candleholders cast a geometric glow over the whole space.

• shopsteellife.com for Basin Mod Dish, $129

Use this 16-inch-wide dish as a shallow planter or fill it with water for a mini reflecting pool. Either way, the parrot red color makes this a standout feature.

• textillery.com for Rjoe Outdoor Throw, $199

Found, finally: A soft throw that can actually be left outside, thanks to Sunbrella’s performance fibers.

• wolfum.com for Axo bowls, $85/set of 3

Serve nuts, olives, and other small bites in these solid ash 10- by 11-inch trays. They wipe clean with a sponge.

• crateandbarrel.com for Festive Small Planters, $9.95 each

Fill these 7-inch pots with fragrant basil and march a row of them down an outdoor dining table or hang them with wall hooks.

• pottedstore.com for serving bowl, $40 and plates, $48/set of 4

Artist Lotta Jansdotter spreads her Scandi-inspired patterns over a line of outdoor-ready melamine dinnerware.