Sunday night cookouts with family, late evening wine tastings with close friends and small Sunday brunch get-togethers have become the New Normal for gatherings this summer. Adjusting to hosting mostly outdoors has many of us creating better-than-ever backyards. Whether socially distanced or up-close and personal, we are all trying to accommodate our groups in the best – and safest – gathering spaces we can offer. Here are some of our designerfavorites for furnishing outdoor gathering spaces that keep summer hosting as special as the people you’ve invited.
Conversation Areas for Gathering
When selecting furnishings for hours of great conversation we like to focus on functionality as well as great design. Large outdoor sectionals in durable fabrics are an excellent choice for a hangout space. Ensuring there is ample seating to spread out and play a game, share a snack or chat well into the night – this sectional allows space for at least 10 or more. Need to social distance on a visit? It’s easy to just move a U-shape from one large sectional into 3 separate seating options. It’s a very versatile selection.
The comfortable and chic Brown Jordan Connexion Modular Sectional can be customized for optimum seating and comfort.
We adore the comfy seating options offered here as well as the versatility. A pair of nailhead trim ottomans serve both as a coffee or cocktail spot as well easily transforming into additional seating. Snuggle up in this conversation area for hours and you’ll feel like you are in your own outdoor living room!
Get the look of indoor style with Lee Industries Outdoor Collection
Shared Spaces for Gathering
Scattering dining or game tables with conversation areas allow for visits with beloved friends and family ample space to spread out. Selecting double-duty pieces like these adorable and durable cushioned wicker ottomans allow for flexible extra seating.
Brown Jordan’s timeless and elegant Southampton Collection
Dining Spaces for Gathering
Whether you’re hosting the entire family for dinner or having the neighbors for a BBQ – the outdoor dining area is essential to hosting meals. Depending on your space constraints, we love to select long rectangular or oval tables that allow for the most seating options. We always suggest textiles or materials that are ‘ketchup and mustard friendly’. If you find you have a large group to seat or an awkward space to fill, we can easily custom design a table option that will fit your space perfectly and maximize seating.
Seating for 8 with Brown Jordan’s Flight Dining Collection. Table 45″ x 79″
Ingeniously designed self-storing Elevator Leaves provide maximum seating with Gloster’s Bristol Collection. Oval table 84” x 38.5” extends to 114” and seats 8-12
With lots of spots for the children to share a strawberry lemonade or an easy scoot over for the unexpected extra guest, outdoor dining benches are a great seat choice. Easy to tuck in for a buffet, just pop a fun tablecloth over a great dining table and you’re ready for the fun, food and laughter.
Peach Blossom
Gloster’s 82.5″ Teak Bench brings function and charm to any outdoor space.
We love the round outdoor table for sharing a meal with family. It’s a wonderful choice for face-to-face conversation in a more intimate setting and passing the potato salad is a breeze. This table is also perfect to maximize seating for a smaller outdoor dining space.
Berlin Garden’s Outdoor Furniture is durable and sustainable. Made in the USA from recycled “poly-lumber.”
Even More Options for Gathering
Having ottomans or extra seating on hand for the unexpected visitor is always a great idea when hosting a gathering. We love scattering ottomans throughout the yard for a quick prop up of the feet. They are an easily transportable extra seat and they make fantastic loungers for little ones. Whether soft ottomans, comfortable sling chairs or casual bean-bag inspired seating – these selections are all tall on style and small on footprint. Ottomans are also fantastic options for creating little outdoor nooks in forgotten corners.
Add fun pops of color with Lee Industries Outdoor Collection
More fun options from Lee Industries Outdoor Collection
This Summer has brought us back outdoors as hosts in our own backyards. By focusing on a few key furnishings, we can create gathering spaces that will keep us enjoying time together well until the leaves have fallen off the trees. Let us know how we can help you create outdoor gatherings where the best memories are made!
