Are you thinking about improving your backyard and garden with an outdoor dining area? We think it’s pleasant to dine al fresco and have created a spot on our front porch and in our pergola for eating outside. Before you get started creating your perfect outdoor dining area, consider a few key elements that can help make it match your goals.
Lighting
First, think about what would be the right lighting in your dream outdoor dining space. Different lighting choices can have a huge impact on the aesthetic and the overall design. For instance, if you plan to create a nighttime party vibe, you could add lanterns and fairy lights to create a space that feels warm and welcoming.
Alternatively, if you plan to create a more intimate dining zone, a more contemporary choice like battery-powered candles on the table might be ideal. If it’s a daytime eating area for families with kids, lighting isn’t as crucial. However, it can be fun to have a few decorative lanterns and ones that change color along garden beds.
You can also explore sustainable choices that are solar-powered and provide cost saving advantages and green benefits.
Furniture
If you are planning to buy new furniture, make sure that you have a place to store cushions or cover them when it rains or snows. The good news is that there covers for outdoor furniture which will make sure that your furniture stays perfect throughout the year. This is useful if your plans for the outdoor kitchen space doesn’t include a full shelter and you don’t have any area to keep the furniture stored when it’s not in use. Covers also mean that you don’t have to spend lots of time putting everything away when it starts to pour.
Unique Choices
Next, you should think about adding some unique choices or special features to your dream outdoor dining area. For instance, you might want to think about adding a fire pit, pizza oven, or a fireplace. All will provide an interesting aesthetic choice while also guaranteeing that your dining area is warm and cosy overall. Plus, you can get a pre-built firepit or create one for yourself from scratch.
Flooring
Have you thought about flooring for your outdoor dining area? There are lots of different flooring options that can work. For instance, you might want to think about adding astro turf for your dining space. It’s a low-maintenance way to achieve a biophilic design. Or, if you have more space in your budget, then you might want to think about wood decking or something more special like mosaic tiles. These will look incredible and provide a lot of different color and variety to your garden space.
Be aware that adding flooring to your garden space isn’t as easy as just placing it on the ground. It takes a lot of site work preparation and skilled layout to get things right.
Position
Have you decided where to put your dining area? You might want to think about setting up a dining area right next to your home. This will make it easier to add a shelter or roof over it. Plus, it’s easier to deliver food and beverages to the table, and clean-up is easier, too. Alternatively, you can put it further away or even nestle it at the end of your property. This can make your yard feel more expansive and the dining will feel more secluded and romantic.
Protection
Finally, think about weather protection. Choose overhead protection that will allow you to use your outdoor space for the seasons you’d like to dine outside. For instance you could think about adding a roof or shelter over the dining area to keep away rain and snow. A little heater or firepit nearby might make it warm enough in colder months, but adding two or three walls or curtains around the dining area would increase comfort. Through the summer, it may also be useful for keeping flies and bugs away from the dining area.
We hope this article helped you with your dream outdoor dining area plans. If you have questions, please share in the comments below.
