Create outdoor conversation areas.

Great outdoor parties aren't just about the food – they're also about the conversation. The designers of the 2006 Dream Home, in Lake Lure, N.C., grouped these chairs so guests could sit together and enjoy the views of Lake Lure and the surrounding mountains.

Get the look: Depending on the number of guests you're expecting, place several groups of two to four chairs around your patio and yard. Guests will naturally flock to these smaller areas for more intimate chats.