13 Party-Ready Outdoor Spaces

No matter how small your outdoor space — hard to believe but this is actually a carport — make it pop with paper lanterns, table linens and fresh flowers in look-at-me shades. Set up a beverage station so guests can help themselves and add cushions or pillows to chairs; comfortable furniture will invite guests to sit a spell. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

No patio furniture? No worries! Weather permitting, bring your dining table, chairs, china, glasses and utensils outdoors to turn your fête into a fine-dining experience. Guests will appreciate the extra effort and your carefully-prepared meal will look (and taste) much better served on china instead of a flimsy, disposable plate. Design by One Charming Party; photography by Nicole Hill Gerulat

Turn a worn deck into a colorful outdoor room with a few coats of paint and coordinating draperies made from weather-resistant fabric. To ensure a lasting painted finish, first sand the deck to create a smooth surface then coat with exterior deck or porch paint which is specifically formulated to withstand foot traffic and weather. Design by Brian Patrick Flynn

The same rule of three (main colors, that is) that applies to selecting an indoor color scheme also works when planning an outdoor party. Choose three main colors to create a theme then carry those colors throughout with accessories like napkins, plates, place cards, paper pom-poms, pennants or balloons. Design by Kim Stoegbauer