Create a party-worthy backyard

Turn the outdoors into an entertainment center.

By Natalie Ermann Russell

Hosting friends in the backyard is almost always more fun than using the stuffy dining room. The wonderful imperfection of nature only adds to the relaxed vibe. Much less pressure as host and guest, and who doesn't crave that?

My book, "Outdoor Entertaining Idea Book" (Taunton, $19.95), is full of ways to create an outdoor party space of your own by using the surrounding nature to your advantage. Here are a handful of tips:

Think beyond the grill. You'll need cold drinks with those flame-kissed burgers. But instead of an outdoor refrigerator that would require electrical hookups, you can install an ice chest, neatly built into a counter, or get a free-standing cedar version for less than $100. Or turn a large antique, such as a brass cauldron, into a garden ornament that doubles as a chiller for drinks.

Create discrete spaces. Use contrasting floor materials, such as pebbles in a garden area and flagstone on a patio, to create separate "rooms." Or install a pergola, trellis, tent or awning to give the space a "ceiling." Erect "walls" made of hedges or shrubs to provide privacy, or establish different levels so your yard is graded. Then, for instance, the fire pit area can peer over the dining area.

Get creative with seating. Half-walls and steps that are several inches deeper than usual can double as seating. Smoothed boulders can be perches. And if you have a sloped yard, hire a landscaper to contour the ground into a grass "sofa" by creating a curved ledge that mimics the seat of a couch.

Light a fire. Outdoor fire pits or fireplaces create an instant focal point -- and some warmth on chilly nights. A fire pit or chiminea, which is a portable fireplace, can be purchased for less than $100.

Play games. Create your own giant chessboard with multicolored concrete pavers for the squares. Or replace a part of the lawn with sand, perfect for playing boccie, volleyball and tetherball.

Natalie Ermann Russell last wrote about natural beauty products.