Outdoor Entertaining Essentials (and the coolest cooler!)

This post is sponsored by Wayfair.

Summer is almost here, and we’re already planning our social calendar for the season. We love to entertain in our backyard during the warmer months, and now that our house is under construction again — we’ll be relying on it even more. When it comes to planning outdoor parties, you want to think about everything you need outdoors to avoid having to go back and forth. I always take inventory of the serving trays I’ll pull out, make sure I’ve got plenty of clean towels to stock the towel valet, and stock up on supplies to keep the bugs away (lining the table with citronella candles is always a good idea).

While we do have an outdoor kitchen, I was on the hunt for a big beverage tub or cooler for guests to easily grab drinks from (no one wants to have to wander around or ask where the beverage fridge is!). I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw this one from Wayfair. I love that it’s on an elevated stand (so much nicer than a cooler on the ground). Plus, it rolls, has a built-in bottle opener, and comes in the most gorgeous shade of blue… what more can you ask for?!

Outdoor Patio Cooler

If you’re planning on hosting your own summer parties, I’ve rounded up all of my favorite outdoor entertaining essentials from Wayfair. From pergolas to pool floats, they’ve got it all!

String Lights $77 The easiest and most foolproof way to add ambiance to ANY outdoor space. Trust me, they make all the difference!
Towel Valet $349 We bought this to store towels and pool toys for easy access by the pool. It feels like we’re at a fancy resort instead of in our own backyard.
Vinyl Pergola $1,169 A pergola is a great way to define space in an open backyard (we used ours over the outdoor kitchen), and with a kit like this you can install one in a weekend.
Striped Beach Towels $49 It doesn’t get better than a classic cabana stripe beach towel. If you have a pool, it’s especially nice to have enough towels on hand so that guests don’t need to bring their own.
Faux Cedar Topiaries (set of 2) $103 I’m a faux plant girlie all the way. Put them in a pretty planter and never worry about them again.
Planter Box $359 (similar) For a larger-scale plant (real or faux), this is the way to go. I love the traditional lines and the substantial shape, it’s a statement maker!
Melamine Dinner Plate $30 Melamine is my go-to for outdoor dinnerware; they’re virtually indestructible but can still look like beautiful high-end dinnerware. Set a table with these, and you’ll never buy disposable again.
Patio Daybed $949 My jaw dropped when I saw this. It looks so much more expensive than it is! If you’re going for the black and white outdoor furniture look, this is the sofa for you.
Striped Linen Tablecloth $189 A striped tablecloth in red or blue just feels like summer to me. Would be beautiful indoors or out!
Rattan Side Table $94 I bought this for our backyard because you can always use another surface to put a drink or a plate on. I love the shape of this one and the wicker material.
Providence Charcoal/Natural Outdoor Rug $168 I love using an outdoor rug to section off outdoor spaces, whether it’s a dining table or a seating area, it just feels more complete with a rug tying it all together.
Chaise Pool Float $280 I’m not sure a nicer pool float exists. You’ll find me here all day this summer.
Solo Stove $349 I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about the Solo Stove, it’s smoke-free and portable, so you can have s’mores night every night of the summer.

Here are some other great outdoor options from Wayfair:

Metal Divided Serving Dish $67 Instead of leaving your condiments in the bottles, why not serve them in this? Guaranteed to make any buffet that much more beautiful.

Roasting Fork Set $35 If you have a fire pit it’s a given that you’re going to have the s’mores supplies ready. Having enough roasting forks for everyone is also a must!

Citronella Tealights $25 Ambiance and bug repellent all in one! Comes in a set of 12.

Polywood Dining Set $1,961 My sister recently got a Polywood dining set for her outdoor deck, and it really is the way to go. It’s completely weather-resistant so you can enjoy it for years and years.

Urn Planter $73 This is easily my favorite shape for an outdoor planter, the foot makes it feel so much more expensive and elevated! Add a faux plant and your work here is done.

Fire Pit $790 I love having a fire pit section in a backyard, it adds a focal point and great ambiance. We seem to always end the night gathered around ours!

Tiered Stand $41 I love a tiered serving dish, especially if you’re short on counter space! There are so many ways you can use this piece, you’ll be pulling it out for every event you host.

Cooler $219 If you’re tired of seeing your beach cooler on the ground at your summer parties, you need this. Has wheels, a built-in bottle opener and comes in multiple colors (I bought the blue!).

Outdoor Wall Lantern $153 Swapping your exterior lights is a simple weekend DIY that can have so much impact. I love the classic look of these lantern sconces.

Outdoor Chaise Lounge $329 No pool is complete without a great lounging chair imo. The stripes on this one sold me.

Outdoor Bar Stool (set of 2) $284 The barstools we have in our outdoor kitchen. The girls and I love perching on these to keep Chris company while he grills, and they’ve held up perfectly through multiple North Carolina summers.

Deck Box $64 A deck box is a must-have because everyone needs more outdoor storage! We keep pool floats in ours but it could be used for anything and doubles as extra seating in a pinch.

Patio Loveseat $459 The details on the back make this a perfect double-take of our outdoor sofa.

Adirondack Chairs (set of 4) $475 These check all of the boxes of a good Adirondack chair – a wide armrest, a curved seat edge, and made from a weather-resistant material. And as a bonus, these fold!

Umbrella Side Table $139 Why have a normal umbrella stand when you could get one that doubles as a drink table? These are similar to the ones in our backyard, and such a great price.

Market Umbrella $34 Similar to the striped umbrellas in our backyard for a fraction of the price.