Nothing beats inviting loved ones over for relaxed days lounging in the sun and evenings under the stars. Whether you’re on a stylish terrace in the city or the leafy garden of a country farmhouse, an alfresco bar is sure to get any party started. We’ve shared our five simple tips for creating one you’ll come to love all summer long.
ON WHEELS
Drinks trolleys are the central element of creating your alfresco garden bar, and finding one on wheels means you can easily transport them from inside to out. The ideal trolley should incorporate good levels of storage shelves to keep all the essentials tucked away, including the less glamorous ones like discarded corks and lime peels. You’ll want to find one that matches your home style too. Rattan is as sustainable as it is beautiful, blending harmoniously into the natural surroundings of your garden.
BEST IN GLASS
Whether it’s an ice-cold rose or a chilled margarita, you want to make your alfresco beverages feel extra special and pretty glassware does just the trick. Keep high-ball glasses for cocktails and saucers for raising a toast, saving the shorter selection for those all-important whiskies at the end of the night. Don’t forget to let your personality shine through too; playful ice buckets and animal wine holders are a wonderful way to inject a touch of fun.
ALL THAT GLOWS
Lighting is an essential way of creating a magical atmosphere, and your garden is the perfect place to experiment with something a little more adventurous. Embrace the whimsical with animal-inspired lamps, make your borders glow with sparkling stakes and frame pergolas with atmospheric festoon lights. After all, these will set the mood as you transition from day to dusk!
COMFORT IS KEY
Striking the balance between a sense of care and effortlessness is the key to feeling relaxed and at ease. Swing gently with the summer breeze in a rattan hanging chair or catch forty winks from the comfort of a hammock. Create pockets of cosy seating so you can sit back and unwind, incorporating lots of textures and layers using cushions and throws. When the sun goes down, have a fire pit and wood to hand so you can sit under the stars whatever the temperature.
SUMMER SOUNDTRACK
No alfresco bar is complete without good music! From laid-back jazz that drifts away with the afternoon to late-night disco tunes to get everyone moving, a playlist is an important finishing touch that acts as a backdrop to your day. Our friends at Yurtel have created a dreamy summertime soundtrack so you’re all set to go!
We hope our tips have inspired you to get a little creative with your outside space. At G&G, we’re firm believers that your garden is an extension of your home, so make sure yours is one you love with our beautiful outdoors collection.