Lifestyle Home & Decorating 3 Tips to Set the Scene for a Bright and Lively Outdoor Summer Party By InStyle Editors InStyle Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Our editors and writers comprise decades of expertise across the beauty, fashion, lifestyle and wellness spaces in print and digital. We prioritize journalistic integrity, factual accuracy, and also having fun with every story we share. InStyle's editorial guidelines Updated on May 16, 2016 @ 02:15PM Pin Share Tweet Email Photo: Jen Causey Suns out, fun’s out, which means it’s time to take your dinner party outside. Anyone who has ever hosted anything knows that entertaining can be a hassle if not done right, so to ensure that you spend more time enjoying the fresh air than stressing about the ambiance, we gathered three decorating tips that’ll make alfresco entertaining a breeze. 1. Go for bold When selecting a color palette, stick with a concise group of vivid hues like Kelly green, indigo blue, and cherry red—they reliably exude a happy vibe. Then deploy those cheery tones with your choice of linens and serving pieces. Pictured, above: Patterned cotton napkin, Josef Hoffmann, $24; shop.neuegalerie.org Katie Lee's Summer Entertaining Tips Will Make You Want to Host a Party ASAP 2. Showcase herbs Vibrant mini bouquets of fresh mint or rosemary are easy to pull together: cut the stems short and nestle them in small vases across the table. The yummy scent and simplicity of the arrangements highlight nature at its best. 3. Create a comfort zone Even if you set up tables and chairs, placing a few outdoor rugs and poufs in a shady spot on the grass invites guests to plunk down with a drink and relax. Find chic, affordable options at worldmarket.com. Shay Mitchell Shares 6 Entertaining Tips for Your Next Outdoor Soirée For more springtime recipes, pick up the June issue of InStyle, available on newsstand and for digital download now.