The Big Game Watch Party: Furniture Layouts for Outdoor TV Viewing

Football season is almost here. And that means game day parties are about to crank up. So, is your home ready for game day? 

Fall sports watch parties used to be a living room-only thing. But with warmer weather stretching a bit further into the late fall and early winter, game day is starting to move from a lot of living rooms to the patio. 

Here's how to lay out outdoor TV furniture for a glare-free backyard watch party and why picking the right furniture materials and setup matters.

 

How to Create an Outdoor Living Room for Game Day

Anchor the Space Around the TV, Not the Yard

One tip for a great outdoor game day retreat is to treat your patio like an indoor family room. Get a lay of the space, and pick one spot for the TV, then build seating around it. This creates more cohesion than just scattering chairs across the yard.

• -Choose a wall or nearby stand that keeps the screen centered and steady
• -Angle every seat toward the TV, not toward each other
• -Make sure there's plenty of space so walkways are clear throughout the game

 

Design Your Layout to Work for Any Party Size

A watch party can be four close friends. But for the big game (or one of those game-plus-birthday party hangouts), the group could get pretty big. To make sure you have plenty of space without too much switching every time, borrow the zone approach: a tight semi-circle for a small crew, or several clusters that “grow out from the screen” for a bigger one.

• -Small groups: pull deep seating into loose semi-circle facing the TV
• -Bigger crowds: add a second seating cluster within sightline of the screen
• -Leave three feet of walking room between clusters so no one's boxed in

 

Positioning Furniture Around the TV Without the Glare

Face the Screen North or South, Not West

If you’ve ever tried to watch TV outside, you’ve probably found that some spots can “see” the TV better than others. Part of that is the way the sun is hitting the screen throughout the day. A west-facing screen catches the low, harsh angle of fall-afternoon sun right at kickoff — face it north or south instead to get the best views no matter the time of day.

• -Test out the sun angle at your usual kickoff time before settling on a spot
• -A pergola, umbrella, or overhang softens glare without blocking the whole view
• -Keep cords tucked and out of the light, as they can be distracting when in view

 

Protect the Setup as Fall Weather Turns

Depending on where you live, the temperature during the fall can swing dramatically. And with most games landing in the late-afternoon to late-evening timeframe, outdoor gatherings could get cold fast. Furniture that can't handle the shift means you’ll be dragging pieces in and out all season. Opting for outdoor furniture made of poly lumber means you save the trip and can keep your pieces looking great year-round.

 

 

• -Wipe-clean surfaces 
• -A cover or enclosure protects electronics without touching the furniture underneath
• -Weather-resistant frames skip the seasonal in and out entirely

 

Opt for Deep Seating and Ottomans Built for Any Size Gathering

Choose Deep Seating That Faces the Action

People shouldn’t be ready to dash from your party the moment the game clock hits zero. Make sure everyone wants to hang out and linger with deep seating furniture. These pieces are designed with cushioned comfort that holds up outside. Arrange loveseats and chairs so every seat has a clean sightline to the screen.

 

 

• -Sunbrella cushions resist stains from game-day snacks and drinks
• -HDPS frames won't warp or fade sitting out all season
• -Mix chairs and a loveseat so the group isn't stuck on one bench

Ottomans for Overflow Seats and Kicked-Up Feet

Ottomans solve two problems at once: extra seating when the crowd grows, and a place to put your feet up when it doesn't. Plus, they look great in any setup, even if you aren’t hosting a get-together. They’re one of the better investments you can make in outdoor furniture.

 

 

• -Pull them in as extra seats for a bigger group
• -Use them as footrests between plays the rest of the time
• -Lightweight enough to reposition without breaking up the layout.

 

Side Tables and a Fire Table to Round Out the Setup

Side Tables Within Arm's Reach

Have you ever been sitting outside with a drink… only to realize there’s nowhere to place it? Now you’ve got one hand full at all times, and the perspiration is keeping your hand wet. What do you do when the snacks start to arrive? A side table at every seat keeps snacks, remotes, and phones close by.

 

 

• -One table per seat or pair of seats is enough
• -Keep them low enough not to block sightlines
• -Durable tops handle condensation and spills without a second thought

 

A Fire Table for When It Cools Off at Halftime

If you want to keep everyone hanging out well after the game has ended and the sun goes down, make sure your space has a good fire table. It’ll get hot, so set it near, not in front of, the seating.

 

 

• -Doubles as a low table for drinks when it's not lit
• -Extends the party well past sunset kickoffs
• -Keeps the crowd together instead of splitting between patio and living room

 

A Dining Spot for the Game Day Spread

The New Monroe Modern Picnic Table as the Food Station

If you want a go-to spot for food, the Monroe Modern Picnic Table makes for a great station. It’s built with poly lumber, wipes clean of spills, and the built-in bench seating holds the whole spread without extra chairs.

• -One surface for chips, dips and the main dish
• -Built-in benches free up your deep seating for the game
• -Cleans up in minutes once the last play is over

 

Keep the Food Line Moving Without Blocking the TV

While the food station will certainly be an important part of the evening, it shouldn't be the main visual item. Set it to the side of the seating cluster, close enough to reach but out of the direct sightline to the screen.

• -Place it near the edge of the layout not the center
• -Leave a clear path from seating to table and back
• -Keep serving items on the table, not blocking the walkway

 

Game Day Extras That Make It Feel Like Kickoff

Accent Pillows and Lighting for a Comfortable Evening Kickoff

A few accent pillows in your team's colors and some throw blankets do more for game-day atmosphere than almost anything else, and make cooler evening games more comfortable. If you need some extra light, opt for simple string or path lighting, as it brings enough light without crowding out the space.

• -Swap pillow colors in and out depending on who's playing
• -Keep a stack of blankets within reach of the seating
• -Path lighting keep the walk to the food table safe after dark

 

Key Takeaways

• -When picking a spot for the TV, face it towards the north or south, not west, as this will help cut fall afternoon glare
• -Think zones. Position deep seating and ottomans like an indoor living room, angled toward the screen.
• -People shouldn't have to hold their food and drinks, place a side table within reach of anywhere people may sit.
• -Dining sets and tables such as the Monroe Modern Picnic Table gives the food a durable, wipe-clean home.
• -Want to keep thing going after the game? Add a fire table and string lights so the party can hang around and linger after dark.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where should I position an outdoor TV to avoid glare during day games?

The best spot to choose is one facing north or south rather than west. Western exposure catches the low, harsh angle of fall-afternoon sun right around kickoff.

What furniture handles food spills and changing fall weather best?

The best outdoor furniture for long-term durability and usability is made of HDPS poly lumber. It wipes clean, won't stain or crack, and doesn't need to come inside between games.

How do I fit a dining spot into a TV-focused backyard layout?

Keep it close to the seating but out of the sightline. Using a table like the Monroe Modern Picnic Table works as a food station guests walk up to, and it won't compete for space near the screen.

What accessories make a backyard feel ready for game day?

Stick with things that fit the vibe of the game and won’t get in the way. Team-colored pillows, a few throw blankets for cooler evening games. Make sure you have enough lighting to keep the space usable after dark.