Celebratory Beacons: Where the Party Naturally Happens

In our design membership, we’ve been reading Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee, and one idea in particular has been lingering with me: her Celebration aesthetic of joy.

Celebration doesn’t have to mean balloons or big events. Sometimes it’s simply the feeling that something good happens here. That this is a place where people gather, linger, laugh, and connect.

As soon as we started talking about it, I realized how perfectly this idea translates to gardens. In fact, many of the most memorable outdoor spaces I know have celebratory beacons.

A celebratory beacon is a focal point that quietly pulls people toward it.
Not with signage.
Not with instructions.
But with atmosphere, warmth, and invitation.

It becomes the center of gravity for a gathering…the place where energy concentrates.

A PERSONAL REALIZATION

When we first designed our own garden, one of Tommy’s top priorities was having a large dining area (above). He wanted a table big enough to host as many friends as possible.

At the time, I thought about it mostly in practical terms. Seating. Circulation. Making sure the space worked.

What I didn’t realize then was that we were designing a celebratory beacon.

That dining table has become the heart of our backyard. People drift toward it the moment they arrive. Conversations naturally land there. Meals stretch longer than planned. Even when we’re not actively eating, it’s where everyone gathers…leaning, sitting, lingering.

It isn’t just a dining space. It’s where the energy of the garden collects.

WHAT CELEBRATORY BEACONS LOOK LIKE IN GARDENS

A fire pit or outdoor fireplace instinctively pulls people into a circle. Bodies turn inward, time slows, and conversation deepens as the light fades and the fire takes over.

A long harvest table, especially under a pergola, tree canopy, or string lights, anchors meals and conversation. It makes lingering feel inevitable rather than indulgent.

A fountain, pool, or splashy water feature draws people through sound, movement, and sparkle. Kids play, adults hover at the edges, and everyone gathers without thinking about it.

A sculptural tree or specimen plant becomes a natural meeting place. A magnolia, flowering cherry, or massive oak turns into the spot people picnic beside, meet under, or photograph.

A pergola or pavilion acts like an outdoor room where events naturally happen. Birthdays, dinners, and late-night wine conversations seem to land there on their own.

A stage-like platform, subtly raised terrace, deck or porch creates a place for shared attention. Toasts, music, and small performances feel natural when there’s just a hint of elevation. That's Tommy and Courtney performing in a garden above!

A play space becomes the emotional heart of the garden. Children engage directly, while adults linger on the periphery…sometimes observing, sometimes joining in. 

A bar, pizza oven, or outdoor kitchen island becomes an instant social magnet. Food is gravitational, and people naturally orbit wherever it’s being prepared or served.

A circular lawn or dance floor, especially when edged with lights or seating, invites group activity. Games, dancing, and shared movement unfold with ease.

A light feature like a chandelier in a tree, a cluster of lanterns, or overhead string lights…visually stitches people together. As evening falls, it pulls everyone into one shared zone.

WHY CELEBRATORY BEACONS MATTER IN DESIGN

What all of these have in common isn’t style or scale…it’s behavior.

A celebratory beacon tells people, without words:
This is where we gather.
This is where something happens.

From a design perspective, these elements organize space socially, not just visually. They help a garden move beyond being something you look at into something you use.

They’re also deeply human. We’re drawn to warmth, light, food, movement, and places that make us feel connected. When a garden acknowledges that, joy feels inevitable rather than forced.

WHERE THE ENERGY GATHERS

A celebratory beacon is the place everyone drifts toward without being told to. It’s where energy concentrates, memories are made, and the party naturally happens.

Once you start designing with that idea in mind, everything shifts. You’re no longer just placing objects in space…you’re shaping experiences and connection. As you think about your own garden, notice where the energy naturally collects. What element acts as a celebratory beacon, quietly inviting people to gather?

And that, to me, is where garden design becomes truly joyful.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

A lovely book that complements this topic well is: Conversation Gardens by Lynn Kuhn.

And don't forget to check out: Joyful by Ingrid Fetell Lee (FYI: this is an affiliate link)