HGTV Star Jasmine Roth Shares Her Secrets to Summer Entertaining

Make It Colorful

No matter how small your space is, you can dress it up with a splash of color to make even the tiniest of patios feel bright and inviting. "Start with adding bright hues like sage green, yellow, or tangerine," Roth says. Plus, this can be one of the most inexpensive ways to dress up your space. Add two of her favorite picks—an outdoor throw pillow and a serving tray—to your party set-up.

Simple Seating

Making everyone feel welcome and comfortable is one of the most important aspects of hosting a gathering, so having enough seating is key. But that doesn't mean you have to break out the boring old folding chairs. Instead, Roth suggests combining various elements for a pretty yet functional space.

"Seating is having a moment," Roth says. "Consider changing up the seating game with fun and unique options that complement existing furniture, like an outdoor pouf or seat cushions that add a pop of color." She recommends an outdoor pouf that will brighten up your space.

Add Ambiance

Roth says the right ambiance is the best way to encourage your party guests to spend more time at the get-together—and a touch of mood lighting can do just that. She suggests solar disc lights to pave a walkway or inexpensive string lights ($13, Target) you can hang overhead to elevate the atmosphere.

Dress the Table

"Adding an eye-catching tablecloth and decorative centerpiece to an otherwise simple table can transform a frequently used seating area into an intimate, cozy, under-the-stars dining experience," Roth says. For a decor piece that does double duty, she recommends a patterned tablecloth and a lantern that can double as a centerpiece.

Greenery is Key

"Simple foliage is an easy way to elevate any type of outdoor space, but not everyone has the room for a full garden," Roth says. "Good quality greenery at great prices can make a space feel larger, calmer, and more inviting." Her favorite picks are a hanging planter for a smaller windowsill space, a small faux plant for your main table area, or a ceramic planter for anyone with more of a green thumb.

Keep it Casual

If your guest list includes kids or pets, Roth recommends choosing affordable decorative yet sturdy pieces—because breaks and spills are bound to happen! A set of melamine plates paired with outdoor-friendly plastic cocktail glasses are perfect for low-key dinner parties with kids or anytime you don't want to worry about breakables outdoors.

Roll Out a Rug

One of Roth's favorite ways to tie together an outdoor space is to invest in a good outdoor rug. "The great thing about outdoor rugs is they're made for the outdoors," she says. "You never have to bring them indoors to bring them back out again. They're a great way to add texture to flooring or cover up a patch of dirt outside! And say someone spills something on it, or it gets dirty? You just hose it off!" She suggests an affordable patterned rug to add color.