Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries
Serving Greater Cincinnati

5 Trendy Tips for Outdoor Entertaining

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy outdoor entertaining in your backyard or patio space! If you’re looking for clever ways to dress up your backyard on a budget, look no further than Ohio Valley Goodwill! Check out some of our top tips for decorating your outdoor space with style with help from Goodwill.

Create DIY lighting

Illuminate your backyard and set the mood for your next outdoor gathering with DIY candle holders or lanterns. Shop at Goodwill for glass vases or mason jars, then fill them with battery-operated candles or cordless string lights. You can even tie a ribbon around the glass vessels or paint them with a layer of frosted glass spray paint to add an elegant touch to your outdoor lighting.

Upcycle serving trays

Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or enjoying a glass of lemonade on the patio, you may find yourself transporting dishes and food to and from your kitchen this summer. Plastic or wooden serving trays make it easier to display food and serve dishes outdoors. Stock up on serving trays from Goodwill, then use paint or washi tape to coordinate the trays with your summer dishes for a fun and functional DIY project.

Refurbish furniture for outdoor use

Your backyard paradise isn’t complete without a place to sit, dine, or just relax. Instead of buying new patio furniture or an outdoor dining set, head to your nearest Goodwill store to find stylish tables, chairs, and even benches at budget-friendly prices. At Ohio Valley Goodwill, our inventory changes every day, so you never know what you might find! Best of all, refurbishing indoor wooden furniture for outdoor use is simple. Just sand down the wood and apply a few coats of outdoor spray paint in your favorite color. You can even reupholster fabric-covered chairs or benches using water-resistant fabric.

Get creative with flower bed planters

Your flowers don’t have to live in plain clay pots! You can quickly turn wooden furniture such as dressers and shelves into unique potting stations and displays for your plants. Give older furniture a new life with a fresh coat of paint or wood stain. Just be sure to use exterior paint so the color won’t be damaged in rainy weather.

Plant a mini teacup garden

Miniature ” fairy gardens” are the newest trend in outdoor and indoor gardening, and teacups are the perfect way to give your plants a touch of sophistication. Shop at Goodwill for one-of-a-kind vintage teacups, then fill them with soil and no-fuss plants such as herbs, succulents or cacti. These whimsical teacup gardens also make adorable favors for a bridal or baby shower.

Goodwill has everything you need for your outdoor entertaining needs at some of the best prices around. Make your next outdoor party one to remember by shopping at Ohio Valley Goodwill. Check out our sales calendars to find great deals on furniture, dishware, household goods, and much more! To find the Goodwill store location nearest you, click here.