There’s nothing quite like enjoying a meal outside. While many of us will only eat outdoors when we’re abroad, there’s nothing to say we can’t enjoy an al fresco snack at home too, all it takes is waiting for the right weather.
However, if the good weather comes, you might find that you don’t actually have somewhere suitable for an outside meal. To help you avoid this situation, we’ve written up a guide with some tips for building an outside dining area. Read on to check it out.
A Dining Table
The first and most important thing you’re going to need for your outdoor dining area is a dining table. This will serve as the focal point of the space and will be where your family, friends, and guests gather to share a meal and spend quality time together.
While it’s certainly possible to use a standard dining table for your outdoor dining area, it’s far better to use a table that is specifically designed for outdoor use. Don’t worr – these can look just as impressive as indoor dining tables but will be made of the appropriate materials and have the correct treatments applied to ensure they can survive being exposed to the elements.
Seating
Once you’ve got your dining table set up, you’re going to need somewhere for you and your guests to sit when you’re enjoying an outdoor meal. The kind of seating you choose is up to you. An outdoor dining area can be much more casual than a traditional indoor dining room, so mixing and matching different furniture styles is absolutely fine.
You could use a combination of traditional chairs and stools, giving your guests an option when it comes to choosing their seats at the table. Eating outdoors should be fun, and you can expect people to be up and about and to regularly switching seats, so having plenty of options on hand is the best way to go.
One excellent option is a picnic table. This combines both a table and seating all in one unit, ideal for a casual, no-fuss outdoor dining area. Check out the picnic tables at macblair.com.
Lights
An alfresco dinner during the summer can be a wonderful experience. In fact, you might find that you and your guests are having so much fun that you end up outside well into the night, long after the sun has gone down.
If you want to continue enjoying the warm summer night, you need to be able to see what you’re doing. This is why lights are such an important feature of the outdoor dining area. Not only will they help illuminate the space, but they add a certain atmosphere and can make the space feel warm, welcoming, and even romantic.
Experiment with different kinds of lights. You can use outdoor lamps, lanterns, and even candles for different effects.
Everyone loves the idea of eating outside, but doing so properly requires a degree of planning and preparation. Follow the tips we’ve outlined in the guide above to create the perfect outdoor dining area to wow your friends and family.
