As the weather stays consistently warm and sunny, you’ll be more inclined to spend your days outdoors rather than cooped up inside. What better time to start planning your first springtime get-together? Take advantage of the spacious, natural party venue that is your backyard and round up your closest friends and family members for a relaxing day in the sun.

But you can’t just send out the invitations and pretend you’re party-ready. Your patio likely hasn’t accommodated guests in months, so you need to give it some TLC before the big get-together. Here are a few decor tips to prepare for your first outdoor gathering of the year:

Maximize your seating arrangement
The last mistake you want to make is having limited chairs available, leaving some of your guests standing for most of the party. To ensure this doesn’t happen, plan to have ample seating to accommodate everyone. Get a headcount from the RSVPs and have even more chairs available, just in case a few guests show up unannounced.

A large patio table – or two – for dining isn’t a bad idea if you’re serving food. Otherwise, take advantage of benches and chairs with cushions and spread them throughout the yard. You may even consider laying out a few picnic blankets for guests who want to sit in the grass and soak up the springtime sun.

Prep your outdoor lighting
If you plan to extend the party past daylight hours, you need to consider your current lighting arrangement. Don’t just make sure the party area is lit – try to set the mood and create an unforgettable atmosphere out of the lights, suggests HGTV. String lights and lanterns make gorgeous functional decorations. Candles can also help you develop a relaxing vibe with little effort.

Emphasize fresh greenery
You’re throwing a party outside because you love spending time in the great outdoors. Why not show your appreciation for nature by going a step further and emphasizing the surrounding greenery? Before the party, take some time to tend the garden, plant a few of your favorite seasonal flowers and place potted bushes and trees throughout the patio. Can you think of a better opportunity to welcome spring with open arms? This is a great way to get your guests excited about the new season as well as the upcoming summer, encouraging everyone to spend more time in the fresh air – and perhaps to come back to your home for party round two.

Use decor to direct traffic flow
Regardless of the size of your guest list, you’ll likely have more people on your patio than you’re used to. As you rearrange your accent decor, keep the space in mind and remember to place pieces in a way that encourages a steady traffic flow. This offers an opportunity to display decor that’s equally stylish and functional. A lengthy, outdoor area rug can help guide your visitors to the backyard, while a path of potted plants can lead guests right to the sitting area.

No matter how quickly your outdoor party is approaching, you should get in touch with a personal decorator from Decorating Den Interiors for help. He or she will come to your home for a free consultation to evaluate your backyard and patio space. From there, your design consultant will offer insight based on these ideas and help you prepare for the get-together in no time.

Don’t stress about the idea of perfecting your outdoor living space on your own. Get in touch with a personal Decorator from Decorating Den Interiors today!