When he moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, Adam decided to make friends in the community. After inviting a few strangers over for dinner, his backyard quickly became a gathering place for the whole community. Monday Night Dinners became a tradition. But his backyard wasn’t the ideal entertainment space, so he called Ask This Old House for help. Jenn Nawada (and volunteers) answered the call.
Start by Introducing Yourself
Before your backyard can become the community hub, you need a community. Our homeowner, Adam, would head into the town and introduce himself to folks he didn’t know. After striking up a conversation, he’d invite them over to Monday Night Dinner, which he was surprised to find that almost everyone attended. With almost 100 dinners under his belt, he knew it was time for some upgrades.
Create Flow
When new friends venture into a backyard, finding your way can be somewhat confusing. Rather than letting folks meander aimlessly, give them a path to flow through. A stone walkway that sprawls throughout the different areas around the yard is a great way to naturally direct them.
Plan for Food Prep
When your visitors get hungry, you need to be able to accommodate them. An outdoor kitchen customized to your cooking style and workflow can be a big help. Durable countertops make great prep stations, and a steel frame clad in long-lasting materials like stone or cedar will hold up to the elements. Built-in grills, griddles, refrigerators, and sinks make these spaces incredibly convenient to cook in, especially if it’s for hundreds of visitors.
Keep Entertainment Front and Center
Live entertainment should always be the main focus of the party. A stage built in a shady yet central location will give party-goers a convenient angle to enjoy. Make sure the kitchen staff can see the show too. And, when live entertainment isn’t available, the stage can be a great place for a movie via screen and projector.
Green Grass Prevents a Dust Bowl
If your backyard is relatively dry and bare, hundreds of feet shuffling throughout the yard can create a dust bowl, ruining everyone’s good time. Instead, consider laying out rolls of sod. This will help keep the dust down, keep folks cooler in the summer, and provide some comfortable seating for the live show.
Resources
Monday Night Dinners event group
AMD Interiors assisted in planning and executing local landscape designs.
Mariana Otter Home & Lawn Care assisted in landscaping.
Savage Landscape Home Repair provided kitchen design and built outdoor kitchen
Living Stone provided a granite countertop for the outdoor kitchen.
Double Legacy Stone provided landscape equipment, materials, and installed the Idaho quartzite stepping stones.
Family Man General Contracting in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho installed steps to the back door.
