Perfect Patio Escape

(Family Features) As temperatures rise, it’s the perfect time to gather friends and family for a getaway in your own backyard. Spruce up your space with furniture and accessories that reflect the newest sights and styles of summer for a patio-ready look that truly takes you places.

Nothing brings people together quite like a party on the patio. Creating a bright, blissful space for your patio celebration is simple when you coordinate everything from dinnerware and drinkware to seating, accessories and even the entertainment.

Table talk. Making vivid memories is as simple as setting your table with a vibrant array. Top your table with layers of colors, textures and bold patterns. Use shatter-resistant dishes and dinnerware made of melamine for a tabletop that is as attractive as it is easy to care for.

Drink up. Quench guests’ thirst with a cold, refreshing drink station. Turn one corner of your party into a one-stop shop for drinks. Fill an embossed, copper-finished beverage tub with ice and drinks to create your own personal party server. It’s a must-have for hosts who like to mingle. Or add punch to your party with a jug-shaped acrylic beverage dispenser and a selection of drinkware made for outdoor entertaining. For example, BPA-free Clarity acrylic drinkware from Pier 1 Imports offers the classic good looks of glassware, but the shatter-resistant vessels are at home inside and out. Available in a brilliant range of colors and silhouettes, Clarity pairs perfectly with a line of melamine dinnerware for a cohesive table setting.

Outdoor seating. Incorporating sectional seating allows you to customize the size and shape that fit your needs. By placing furniture in a corner, you increase functionality without wasting an inch. An ottoman can serve as a small coffee table or low dining table, creating a variety of options for how to use the space. Similarly, repurpose garden stools for multiple uses like tables, plant stands and impromptu seating.

Light the night. Crafted of weathered wood and mixed metals, lanterns come alive when the sun goes down. Pair them with flameless LEDs and a remote control so you can turn the festivities on and off at the touch of a button. Group lanterns together and fill a few with surprising elements, like terrarium ornaments and faux succulents. Or for high-traffic areas, Pier 1 Imports’ lanterns and string lights are a perfect solution. Safe for children and pets, these colorful lights are decorative by day and illuminate the celebration after sunset.

Garden games. Add a little competitive spirit to your party by setting out a croquet set and let the games begin. Play as singles or set up teams of two. Other party games like bocce ball and horseshoes can inspire even more summer fun.

Finishing touches. From the playful to the poetic, unique accents bring your garden into full bloom and make a big difference on your patio. Bring your party theme to life or simply let your own personality shine with accessories such as pillows, rugs and decorative items like planters and garden art.

Bring Patio-Inspired Décor Indoors

With summer just around the corner, you can also bring the celebration inside by re-creating the bright, blissful vibe you’ve built in your outdoor space with these decorating tips from the experts at Pier 1 Imports:

Pick the perfect shade. To create a true warm-weather vibe, try delving into blue-hued accessories like pillows or curtains that run the gamut from classic stripes to pretty prints and embellishments. Whether in classic patterns or newly edged in a golden hue, they’re sure to soften the look of your room. Coordinate the color and texture of your textiles for a designer-worthy look.

Take inspiration from nature. For a fresh look, use faux succulents, florals and topiaries. Displayed on mantels, hung near a window or placed on a desk in your home office, they can help introduce a tranquility that’s refreshingly low-maintenance. A natural material like wicker, which doesn’t stand up to the elements as well as some other materials, is a great way to give your furniture a refreshed summer feel.

Bring the beach home. Blend ocean-inspired colors such as blues, greens and corals with sandy neutrals and driftwood accents. Give your indoor space even more beachside ambience by incorporating seashells, starfish and anchors into your décor.

Accent with lighting. Light your home with lamps that are uniquely you. Whether your home is full of windows or has very little natural light, lamps, outdoor-inspired lanterns and strings of glimmering lights will leave no shadowy corners in your summer space.

Summer softness. Rich textures, shimmering beads, hand embroidery—that’s just the beginning of Pier 1’s collection of more than 150 summer pillows. With an amazing selection of pillows in every shape, loft, hue and style from all over the world, you’re certain to find exactly the right accents to bolster your furniture.

Find more ideas for creating your own party-perfect patio at pier1.com.