Make your terrace don a perfect party look

Monica Kamal

Summer is here and so are the vacations — an ideal set up for throwing a party! With rooftop parties in trend, it is very essential that you design that space in such a way that there is enough area for people to enjoy an evening and feel good about the open air space. Here’s some dough to make your creative juices flowing to set the stage for a sumptuous teraace party:

1. Add cheery decorations on exterior walls or ceiling designs. Colourful outdoor fabric pieces, cut into triangles, make fabulous summer party decorations.

2.Use attractive outdoor furniture for your outdoor dining area. Outdoor furniture made of natural and eco-friendly materials is a great “green” idea. Tree trunks or roots used as tables, stools and benches, enhance the natural feel of summer decorating.

3.Lighting is one of the easiest ways to cast an enchanting spell on any outdoor space. Try some ideas when you want to illuminate a setting and create a distinctive mood. The table lit with kerosene lanterns that are easy to fill and light can mesmerise anyone. Lanterns provide the same shimmering glow as candles but unlike candles, they won’t blow out with wind. Lanterns can also be set down or hung by their handles at strategic points on the terrace or in the garden.

4.Bars and buffet tables must be adequately lighted, but they’re often located far from electrical outlets. An easy, inexpensive solution is to gather clear apothecary bottles and fill them with lamp oil and wicks.

5.Add some pretty pillows in outdoor fabrics to lawn furniture to add comfort and a splash of colour.

6.Set up a food and drink station on a garden bench or a sideboard on your open deck or patio. Add an outdoor rug which is made of recycled or eco-friendly material can complete the look. Floor rugs beautifully define dining areas and create cozy and inviting outdoor living spaces.

7.Add seating without taking up a lot of space by arranging large floor pillows in addition to or in place of deck chairs around a table. Using pillows for seating on small decks creates a more intimate and comfortable space for outdoor entertaining, and they’re super easy to rearrange or remove if you decide you need more room.

8.To add the finishing touches to your outdoor space, think as you would if you were decorating your living room: soften hard surfaces with throws and cushions; add form and interest with sculpture and planters; and introduce colour with dining accessories such as drinks buckets, serving bowls and glassware.

Keep everything relaxed, though, and don’t spend too much, there’s something about outdoor parties that brings out the clutz in all of us.

— The writer is an interior designer and founder Siddharth by MKC