The summer is a perfect time to have guests over to enjoy the weather and warm evenings together. If you’re thinking about hosting an outdoor lunch or dinner, creating the perfect atmosphere can make an enormous difference. Investing in your outdoor space and creating a cozy dining area is both fun and very rewarding. There are so many minor changes you can make that add up to create the ideal dining space. Here are eight things you can do to get started.
Replace Your Outdoor Seating
Sitting outdoors for hours can be idyllic, but only if you’re sitting comfortably. You’ve probably got some old outdoor seating that needs replacing; most people have. The problem with most outdoor seating is that it’s not that comfortable. Sometimes it helps to be creative and realize that indoor furniture is often much more comfortable.
This doesn’t mean bringing your indoor furniture outdoors (unless you want to). Instead, why not add a modular sofa with outdoor fabric? A modular sofa will allow you to customize your seating to accommodate your guests, and one with fabric suitable for outdoor use will mean it’s protected from the elements.
Make Sure You Have a Big Enough Table
A table should be the centerpiece of your dining area. This means you’ll want one big enough to feel like a centerpiece and also one that will comfortably seat your guests. The bigger the table, the more space you’ll have to put dishes, drinks, and tableware. Not having enough space to eat comfortably or put your drink down is irritating, so think about making enough space for your guests.
If you don’t have the space for a huge dining table, ensure that you have enough smaller side tables. These can be a suitable solution in smaller spaces.
Add Fire
If cozy is what you’re looking for, fire is essential. Nothing says cozy like fire. Whether it’s a charcoal barbecue or a fire pit, including fire is a sure way to create a welcoming, homey environment. The temperature also drops during the summer evenings, so a fire is a perfect way to keep your guests warm. There are many ways to incorporate fire into your outdoor space, and gas-powered patio heaters are also a great solution.
Create Shade
Shade is important. You’ll need some kind of shade or shelter if you want to dine during the day. Although it’s lovely to sit outside and eat in the sun, too much sun can be unpleasant, especially if it’s shining in your eyes. You can create shade in several ways, depending on how much sun your outdoor space gets. Sometimes a simple parasol will suffice. If your garden is a sun trap, you may need to create a more substantial shaded area.
A sheltered area can also give a cozy feeling to your guests, even in the middle of the day. If you opt for a shelter over a parasol, ensure you have open sides, you won’t want to feel too closed in.
Include an Outdoor Rug and Cushions
An outdoor rug won’t only look great; it’ll also add some color and style to your dining area. Adding a rug is also a great opportunity to create an additional seating area with cushions on the floor. An area with a rug and cushions is the perfect place to lie after a hearty meal and relax in the sun.
Rugs can look amazing on patios or grassy areas. Just be sure that you choose an outdoor rug or one that you can clean easily.
Hang Fairy Lights
Fairy lights can transform the appearance of many spaces, especially outdoor areas at night. Adding fairy lights is something that is so simple yet so effective. There are endless opportunities to include them in your garden. You can hang them on trestles, hanging decorations, drape them over walls, wind them around chairs, poles or fences.
One thing to remember, however, is that fairy lights shouldn’t be your primary light source. They should provide an ambient feel, but you won’t get much light from them. It’s a good idea to use several sets to spread around your space. Outdoor fairy lights are the best as you won’t need to bring them inside after use.
Blankets, Blankets, and More Blankets
Blankets are the definition of cozy. If cozy is what you’re aiming to achieve, then you can’t have enough blankets. Drape them over chairs, place them on an outdoor sofa or seating area for your guests to wrap up in. A blanket can take the chill off in the evenings, so make sure there are enough for your guests if they need them. Blankets are also ideal if you want to lie on the lawn during the day. Just make sure you choose colors that won’t get stained by the grass.
Serve the Right Food
Food is undoubtedly the most important aspect of outdoor dining. Once you have created the perfect space for your guests, you’ll want to create unforgettable meals. Look online for the best outdoor dining recipes and choose something that is both easy and impressive. You don’t want to spend all your time catering, so simple but effective recipes are the best choice. Platters are great for guests, and they look fantastic on the table too. Barbecued meat is also a well-loved simple dish.