10 Excellent Outdoor Dining Ideas
Dreaming of a gorgeous space for enjoying alfresco lunches at home? Your solution could be right here
Kate Burt
28 July 2019
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
Often, even a simple bit of love and attention can turn a dull outdoor area into a welcoming dining spot. Sometimes, you might want to invest more. Whether you’re planning a total garden renovation or just giving it a tweak, you’ll find inspiration below.
Think small
This bijou space shows that a large patio is not required for a stylish and inviting outdoor dining spot. The designer has chosen vintage metal furniture that sensitively ties in with the Victorian house.
Elegant matching trees area a nice way to frame the scene, and gravel would cover any unsightly exterior flooring, if you’re on a budget.
This bijou space shows that a large patio is not required for a stylish and inviting outdoor dining spot. The designer has chosen vintage metal furniture that sensitively ties in with the Victorian house.
Elegant matching trees area a nice way to frame the scene, and gravel would cover any unsightly exterior flooring, if you’re on a budget.
Bring some interiors style outdoors
The shabby-chic-leaning designer of this gorgeous outdoor spot has done a few clever things here to create a dining room atmosphere.
First off, it’s fairly simple to have a sheltered area like this built. Corrugated plastic roofing is the key ingredient; it can have a transformative effect on a garden.
Next up, a shelf on the back wall is given the air of a mantelpiece by having a mirror propped on it, while plants either side imitate ornate wall sconces. A large branch provides support for a decorative hanging that resembles a chandelier, and there’s a rug cosying up the floor.
Pot plants on the table – more like indoors than outdoors, where they’re more often on the ground – are a savvy style touch, too.
The shabby-chic-leaning designer of this gorgeous outdoor spot has done a few clever things here to create a dining room atmosphere.
First off, it’s fairly simple to have a sheltered area like this built. Corrugated plastic roofing is the key ingredient; it can have a transformative effect on a garden.
Next up, a shelf on the back wall is given the air of a mantelpiece by having a mirror propped on it, while plants either side imitate ornate wall sconces. A large branch provides support for a decorative hanging that resembles a chandelier, and there’s a rug cosying up the floor.
Pot plants on the table – more like indoors than outdoors, where they’re more often on the ground – are a savvy style touch, too.
Make it temporary
This space takes the indoors outdoors idea further, and is perfect if you can’t currently commit to making a permanent place to eat and hang out.
It may not be practical as an everyday idea, but if you’ve lined up a special gathering to take place in your garden, cart out your home furnishings. This inviting setting, with armchair, footstool, and plenty of cushions and blankets, is the sort that’ll draw admiring gasps of, “Doesn’t it look lovely out here!” from dinner guests.
Plant pots on wheels will help you to crowd foliage around your temporary eating zone. If you haven’t already, buy a few taller plants to create a sheltered, intimate feel.
This space takes the indoors outdoors idea further, and is perfect if you can’t currently commit to making a permanent place to eat and hang out.
It may not be practical as an everyday idea, but if you’ve lined up a special gathering to take place in your garden, cart out your home furnishings. This inviting setting, with armchair, footstool, and plenty of cushions and blankets, is the sort that’ll draw admiring gasps of, “Doesn’t it look lovely out here!” from dinner guests.
Plant pots on wheels will help you to crowd foliage around your temporary eating zone. If you haven’t already, buy a few taller plants to create a sheltered, intimate feel.
Invest in good outdoor cushions
Where there isn’t comfortably space for formal dining, focus on building a drinks and canapé spot (or a cup of tea and a sandwich spot perhaps). Big cushions, a style that won’t require you to feel entirely as if you’re sitting on the floor, will trick you into thinking you have an outdoor armchair or sofa.
Make use of niches for planting. The designer of this balcony has built in space for some bamboo, and the planter cleverly doubles as a backrest for the ‘armchair’.
Where there isn’t comfortably space for formal dining, focus on building a drinks and canapé spot (or a cup of tea and a sandwich spot perhaps). Big cushions, a style that won’t require you to feel entirely as if you’re sitting on the floor, will trick you into thinking you have an outdoor armchair or sofa.
Make use of niches for planting. The designer of this balcony has built in space for some bamboo, and the planter cleverly doubles as a backrest for the ‘armchair’.
Roll out a rug
Isn’t it amazing how much difference a rug makes here? This dining area has become a proper outdoor room.
Choose something designed for use outside, so you won’t have to cart it indoors again after every use. Also seek out lighting that makes a nod to its indoor equivalents – these turquoise hanging lanterns have a pendant look about them.
To go the whole hog, hire a carpenter to create a wooden screen like this – perfect if your plot is overlooked.
Isn’t it amazing how much difference a rug makes here? This dining area has become a proper outdoor room.
Choose something designed for use outside, so you won’t have to cart it indoors again after every use. Also seek out lighting that makes a nod to its indoor equivalents – these turquoise hanging lanterns have a pendant look about them.
To go the whole hog, hire a carpenter to create a wooden screen like this – perfect if your plot is overlooked.
Opt for a classic idea
Decking, done to as high a standard as this, is a joy to look at, sit on and walk across. If you have a roof terrace or patio with nothing special underfoot, this classic solution is well worth considering.
Here, the designer has made the most of the available space by including built-in bench seating, running the planks in the opposite direction to the flooring – practical but also pleasing to the eye. Just add table and chairs.
Find the perfect professional to lay your decking.
Decking, done to as high a standard as this, is a joy to look at, sit on and walk across. If you have a roof terrace or patio with nothing special underfoot, this classic solution is well worth considering.
Here, the designer has made the most of the available space by including built-in bench seating, running the planks in the opposite direction to the flooring – practical but also pleasing to the eye. Just add table and chairs.
Find the perfect professional to lay your decking.
Build a green wall – in seconds
Balconies are notorious for making you feel as if you’re on stage, situated as they often are in built-up areas, with other properties nearby or people on trains whizzing by.
Sound familiar? Try this super-simple solution: bamboo. This is fake, but real bamboo is pretty easy to maintain, though it does get thirsty (so in pots it’s not ideal for neglectful gardeners). Whichever you choose, either option will provide a suitable screen.
Balconies are notorious for making you feel as if you’re on stage, situated as they often are in built-up areas, with other properties nearby or people on trains whizzing by.
Sound familiar? Try this super-simple solution: bamboo. This is fake, but real bamboo is pretty easy to maintain, though it does get thirsty (so in pots it’s not ideal for neglectful gardeners). Whichever you choose, either option will provide a suitable screen.
Create a covetable courtyard
Here’s another small space working hard. The designer has managed to fit in a lot without the garden feeling crowded.
A bespoke wooden bench doubles as storage, and a matching console opposite houses a barbecue. Near the bench, a coordinating frame provides scope for a mini green wall. Carefully chosen evergreen planting means it’ll look great even when you’re only tempted to gaze out at it through the window.
You’ll either love or loathe the idea of artificial grass, but adding it to a small space that could either get very muddy or simply isn’t suitable for cultivating a lawn does really change the feel of it. Think of it as exterior carpet… Festoon lighting turns it into a lovely spot to while away long summer evenings.
Here’s another small space working hard. The designer has managed to fit in a lot without the garden feeling crowded.
A bespoke wooden bench doubles as storage, and a matching console opposite houses a barbecue. Near the bench, a coordinating frame provides scope for a mini green wall. Carefully chosen evergreen planting means it’ll look great even when you’re only tempted to gaze out at it through the window.
You’ll either love or loathe the idea of artificial grass, but adding it to a small space that could either get very muddy or simply isn’t suitable for cultivating a lawn does really change the feel of it. Think of it as exterior carpet… Festoon lighting turns it into a lovely spot to while away long summer evenings.
Mix high design with simple ideas
The designer of this garden has made the most of the available space by connecting the seating, planters and fireplace. Continuing around to the left, there’s also an outdoor cooker and atmospheric lighting (click on the photo to view ‘Other photos in this project’ on the right, and to find out more about the designer).
Amid all this clever, full garden refurb stuff, there’s a wonderfully simple idea: a table made from stacked up pallets. A piece of glass as a table top ties it into the rest of the sleek space beautifully.
Read reviews of garden designers local to you.
The designer of this garden has made the most of the available space by connecting the seating, planters and fireplace. Continuing around to the left, there’s also an outdoor cooker and atmospheric lighting (click on the photo to view ‘Other photos in this project’ on the right, and to find out more about the designer).
Amid all this clever, full garden refurb stuff, there’s a wonderfully simple idea: a table made from stacked up pallets. A piece of glass as a table top ties it into the rest of the sleek space beautifully.
Read reviews of garden designers local to you.
Render and paint
The simple addition of a rendered wall, painted gleaming white, can turn a plain outdoor dining spot into something with a dash of Mediterranean pizzazz. Don’t forget to grab your sunglasses…
Tell us…
Which of these spaces would you most like to dine in? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
The simple addition of a rendered wall, painted gleaming white, can turn a plain outdoor dining spot into something with a dash of Mediterranean pizzazz. Don’t forget to grab your sunglasses…
Tell us…
Which of these spaces would you most like to dine in? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Fortunately that outside room is just in one corner, facing large areas of planting and trees that provides not only privacy from the neighbours but also habitat for insects and birds. I would absolutely refuse to design a garden that had no planting. That is, in itself, a contradiction in terms!
@chemistrykaren - I'm with you regarding eating outdoors. If it's a sunny morning, I might have my breakfast outside on my lap, but as for lunch and dinner, forget it. It's all too much effort to take everything (food wise) outside. I have set up tables and chairs in a breakfast, lunch and evening drinks spot, but they are rarely used. We even have a quite posh BBQ which hasn't been used in the 6 years we have lived here! Regarding cushions though, I have a bistro set near the conservatory, so I store cushions for those in the conservatory on the sofa. The lunch table cushions and evening drinks cushions are kept in a tiny 'studio' which is next to the table and chairs. If I have breakfast outside I don't usually bother with the cushions. Despite this, I have on a few occasions been distracted and left the cushions out all night. They get drenched in dew so I then bung the whole lot in the washing machine then tumble dryer! I think there are a lot of people and advertisers and articles on Houzz that are from America where they have long scorching summers. The UK people just don't have the weather, IMHO, sadly. If I had to lug great big sofa cushions in and out, it would send me crackers. Finally, the idea of rugs etc., I think, very much depends on your type of garden. I have a country cottage garden (all be it small), and a plastic rug would look out of place and would probably get covered in pigeon and seagull poo! Kent, UK
@M J - I continue to agree with everything you've written above - well described! I'll add that I *love* the outdoors and I *love* eating - just not eating outdoors, somewhat for the reasons you outline. I just can never get comfortable sitting. :)