8 Elements of a Perfect Outdoor Dining Room
Summer is fast approaching (faster in some parts of the country) and now is the time to start planning for entertaining outside on those late summer evenings. An outdoor dining area is a perfect setting for a dinner party. Here are 8 things to think about when creating your perfect outdoor dining space.
1. Light your table for ambience. A light source above or near your table allows for an enjoyable gathering past sundown.
2. Protect the table from the elements. Most of us live in a part of the country in which we have some type of weather to deal with on a daily basis. It might be a late afternoon rain shower or searing mid-day sun. Whatever it is, covering the outdoor dining room is a way to make it into a space that can be used most of the year.
3. Consider the outdoor dining room as a destination spot. By placing it away from the house, in a parklike setting, surrounded by large trees, or an expansive pool, it becomes a destination for your guests.
4. Look for a place to carve out a intimate dining area. So, maybe you don’t have a yard the size of a park. It might take a little thinking and rearranging, but I bet there’s someplace in your yard that would be the perfect little dining area. Maybe a side yard or under a large tree in the back corner.
5. Decorate your “room” to make it a true extension of your home. The outdoor dining room is a perfect place to incorporate personal taste and style with furniture and accessory choices. Look for way to incorporate art on a large wall (side of your house) or nearby fence.
6. Provide a heat source for those cool summer evenings. A fire pits and seating which goes on forever, just begs to be used all year round. A fire table, perfect for roasting s’mores or just staying warm on chilly autumn nights.
7. Scrap the table for a different experience. Imagine Saturday afternoon barbecues with the neighbors around this outdoor kitchen and eating bar. An island bar creates a more casual dining environment. A pergola structure further defines a space and creates a cozier environment.
8. Use an architectural feature to define the room. A canopy plays a double role: to protect diners from sun or rain and to define a space as the dining area. Trellises, climbing vines, flower arrangements, wrought iron chairs and crisp white linens also work well.
