Take it outside for a stylish summer party

It’s summertime, and the entertaining is easy when you enlist a few clever strategies. Follow this guide to a stylish backyard party, and the only thing you’ll have to worry about is winning at croquet.

Raise the bar

The ideal drinks setup is streamlined, well stocked and self-serve.

Case in point: A batch of freshly squeezed lemonade will please practically everyone. Ice it down in a 4-gallon stainless-steel dispenser and no one will get stuck manning the bar. Kids can help themselves; adults can punch theirs up with vodka and citrus, and herb garnishes, which double as decor. Supplement with an easy-to-sip aperitif (try floral Lillet) and sparkling water, and you’ll have all the refreshments you need.

As for quantities, here’s a good rule of thumb: Plan two drinks per guest for the first hour, then one each per hour after that; 1 gallon equals 16 8-ounce drinks.

Refine your table

Dinner outdoors can be just as gracious and comfortable as one you’d host inside.

To encourage guests to sit back and stay awhile, set a table with sturdy ceramic plates and flatware, hefty (but unbreakable) glassware and colorful linens. To anchor your tablecloth in a breeze, clip a fishing sinker onto each corner (see a how-to at marthastewart.com/tablecloth-weights).

Echo the natural surroundings with wooden accents, floral prints and statement-making palm leaves, which won’t wilt in the heat.

Uninvite pests

Run an electric fan and cover food with mesh domes to keep bugs away. An artistic deflector (De La O Anti-Fly Sphere 3.0, $85, delao.mx) inspired by a Mexican street-vendor trick shoos flies naturally: Sunlight reflecting off the water-filled glass bulb confuses and repels them.

Turn on tunes

Connect a few Bluetooth speakers via Wi-Fi, and anyone with a smartphone can DJ. The Deganello & Pardo UMA Sound Lantern ($479, store.moma.org) emits a warm, campfire-like glow. Queue up a few songs, or get our playlist at marthastewart.com/summer-playlist.

Light the way

Once the sun sets, create ambiance (and prevent twisted ankles) with generous, well-placed lighting. Oversize lanterns lit by flameless LED candles can hang or perch along any path that needs brightening. String battery-powered, outdoor-safe bistro lights between trees for extra illumination without outlets. CB2 Kini natural-rattan lantern, from $50, cb2.com

Fun and games

Keep the good times rolling with handsome lawn-party classics. To ensure that everyone stays hydrated without missing a turn, place a drinks tub with bottled water nearby.

Shoot hoops

Three teams can aim for the wicket with mallets handmade by Amish artisans. Lehman’s Amish-Crafted croquet set, $219, lehmans.com.

Hold court

Divide the party in half and face off in this easy-to-learn Italian game. Mark and Graham Canvas bocce set, $199, markandgraham.

Rattle and roll

Toss jumbo-size dice till you hit Yahtzee. Crate and Barrel wooden yard-dice game set, $60 for five, crateandbarrel.com.

This story was originally published June 22, 2017 at 9:10 AM with the headline "Take it outside for a stylish summer party."