Must-Have Event Décor for Your Summer Soiree

Must-Have Event Décor for Your Summer Soiree

As the weather warms up, you know I’m ready to have a little fun in the sun. If you’re planning any sassy summer gatherings, you’ll need to be on board with some on-fire trends.
Trends that I absolutely can’t get enough of for outdoor events this summer season include: transitional furniture, deliciously elegant patterns and color pallets, Mediterranean inspiration, and luxurious comforts outdoors.

• Transitional Furniture: Bring the indoors, out! Just because a space is outdoors doesn’t mean it should be any less sophisticated than an indoor venue. Outdoor spaces are an extension of the indoor event space and are increasingly more elegant with furnishings that mirror indoor styles. Mix up seating with dining areas and plenty of bar tables for drinks and food plates while guests mingle and use furniture that can be designed and re-arranged based on the flow and function of your event space.

Kevin Dana, executive director of marketing and product development at CORT, shared with me the ultimate event design sin that so many party planners are guilty of, “The worst design sin when planning an outdoor event is not having enough bar tables for guests to casually network while they eat and drink. It’s common sense, but so many planners forget about having enough tables.” Sassies, can you imagine?!

• Deliciously Elegant Patterns and Color Pallets: No matter what theme you’re planning for your event, you absolutely must make it burst with color. Blue is everywhere and it’s serving every aesthetic this summer. Deep blues paired with dark greens and jungle prints make for a playful and mysterious evening, while antiqued whites and true blue can be paired for a classic summer feel. CORT’s new outdoor wire tables in green, white and blue add functional pops of color to your event. Vibe cube ottomans provide versatile vibrant outdoor seating with colors of the summer and can be easily moved around for casual networking.

Break out your bikinis for Palm Beach Chic and channel the cool, casual vibes of Miami in the 1970’s. CORT’s new tropical pillow collection lends an effortless cool-factor to any design plan and their LED lighted pieces – like lighted plastic orbs, cubes, tables and columns – help set the mood and add additional color when the sun goes down!

• Mediterranean Influences: If you need inspiration from overseas, head to the Mediterranean. Tuscan-style gardens pop against black and white, and extravagant foliage adds pops of color to an otherwise neutral color pallet. Think French Riviera with mixed furnishings, like wood benches and marble tables. Boxwood hedges can transform a large venue into more intimate spaces for more private conversation. Add floral to the hedges to bring in a romantic and elegant hanging garden look.

• Luxurious Comforts: When your guests attend your outdoor event, they shouldn’t feel the annoyances of being outside. Bring the comforts of the indoors to them by providing everything they could need to enjoy your event. If you don’t have lots of covered patio space be sure to have enough large umbrellas placed over seating groupings, dining and bar tables. Create points of connection at water stations for guests to stay hydrated. Set up tables around the event with water infused with citrus or fruits. Guests can help themselves without lining up for the bar and the stations look absolutely gorgeous when paired with linens. Finally, for a touch of glamour and functionality, add citronella candles on tables around your event. They create a warm ambiance and keep away any pesky mosquitoes.

These trends are heating up as fast as the summer and I can’t wait to attend some sweet summer soirees. Keep these ideas in mind as you pull together the most beautiful event of the season, and show me how you used these trends on Facebook!

To learn more about CORT’s event rental collections, visit www.CORTevents.com.

Steve Kemble, Cort Events Endorsements