9 of the Dreamiest Outdoor Dining Spots on Houzz
Looking to improve the outside eating area of your garden, patio or balcony? Let these alfresco schemes inspire you
Whether you have – or are planning to add – a dining area to your lawn, patio or balcony, there are some great ideas on Houzz. Here are some to give you food for thought.
2. Say hello to architectural salvage
There’s no need for an expansive garden to create an elegant outdoor eating area surrounded by plants.
The owners of this neat patio space, designed by Bestique, have approached the decoration as one might an interior. The striking graphic flooring instantly gives the little dining area real character. The brass fisherman’s wall lamp, painted furniture and those statement planters each add a layer of refined style.
Swerve traditional garden centres and instead scour architectural salvage yards and websites for treasures that will elevate the status of your outdoor space. Think stone sculptures, old chimneys to use as pots, antique fountains, encaustic tiles and vintage furniture.
There’s no need for an expansive garden to create an elegant outdoor eating area surrounded by plants.
The owners of this neat patio space, designed by Bestique, have approached the decoration as one might an interior. The striking graphic flooring instantly gives the little dining area real character. The brass fisherman’s wall lamp, painted furniture and those statement planters each add a layer of refined style.
Swerve traditional garden centres and instead scour architectural salvage yards and websites for treasures that will elevate the status of your outdoor space. Think stone sculptures, old chimneys to use as pots, antique fountains, encaustic tiles and vintage furniture.
3. Make use of a tree
Let nature do the hard work of setting the scene. Not only can a mature tree like this one provide dappled shade for a leisurely summer lunch, it can also be employed to support bunting, fairy lights or pretty paper lanterns, as in this set-up by Susie Watson Designs.
There’s something magical about being surrounded by lush grass rather than hard landscaping, too, but if you don’t have a lawn, throw down a few rugs to create a soft surface underfoot.
Easily find and hire garden designers on Houzz.
Let nature do the hard work of setting the scene. Not only can a mature tree like this one provide dappled shade for a leisurely summer lunch, it can also be employed to support bunting, fairy lights or pretty paper lanterns, as in this set-up by Susie Watson Designs.
There’s something magical about being surrounded by lush grass rather than hard landscaping, too, but if you don’t have a lawn, throw down a few rugs to create a soft surface underfoot.
Easily find and hire garden designers on Houzz.
4. Create a sense of seclusion
Tall, solid fences, corner trees, a pergola waiting to be covered with verdant climbers… This design by Arun Landscapes, a member of The Association of Professional Landscapers, is a good example of how to create a hidden spot for dinner in an urban garden that would otherwise be overlooked.
Building a structure like this pergola also gives plenty of opportunity for atmospheric lighting. Fix downlighters to your posts, or drape outdoor festoon lighting to create a twinkling canopy. Just be sure to switch them off when you go inside to keep the space dark for wildlife overnight.
Plants such as wild grasses that will rustle in the breeze will also add to the enchanted-evening atmosphere.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
Tall, solid fences, corner trees, a pergola waiting to be covered with verdant climbers… This design by Arun Landscapes, a member of The Association of Professional Landscapers, is a good example of how to create a hidden spot for dinner in an urban garden that would otherwise be overlooked.
Building a structure like this pergola also gives plenty of opportunity for atmospheric lighting. Fix downlighters to your posts, or drape outdoor festoon lighting to create a twinkling canopy. Just be sure to switch them off when you go inside to keep the space dark for wildlife overnight.
Plants such as wild grasses that will rustle in the breeze will also add to the enchanted-evening atmosphere.
Discover why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software.
5. Be pale and interesting
If you have a pocket courtyard, don’t be discouraged by its mini proportions – you may still be able to create a luxurious-feeling spot in which to sit and eat. Look out for space-saving furniture, like the stools in this courtyard by Karen Rogers at KR Garden Design that tuck away completely under the table.
This scheme also benefits from the use of pale neutrals to soften lines and open up the dining space. To win at this kind of look, give it everything: a pale floor, pale walls, a pale table and pale seating.
If you have a pocket courtyard, don’t be discouraged by its mini proportions – you may still be able to create a luxurious-feeling spot in which to sit and eat. Look out for space-saving furniture, like the stools in this courtyard by Karen Rogers at KR Garden Design that tuck away completely under the table.
This scheme also benefits from the use of pale neutrals to soften lines and open up the dining space. To win at this kind of look, give it everything: a pale floor, pale walls, a pale table and pale seating.
6. Get out there
The spot right outside the back door is often the most obvious place to set up a dining table. But by thinking outside the box or, rather, outside the patio, you can make the experience of eating outside much more connected to your garden, as with this scheme by Kate Eyre Garden Design.
This idea could work on a smaller scale, too, with a folding table and chairs for two, and everything scaled down. The principle of extending out decking or paving into the beds and lawn area is what’s important.
The spot right outside the back door is often the most obvious place to set up a dining table. But by thinking outside the box or, rather, outside the patio, you can make the experience of eating outside much more connected to your garden, as with this scheme by Kate Eyre Garden Design.
This idea could work on a smaller scale, too, with a folding table and chairs for two, and everything scaled down. The principle of extending out decking or paving into the beds and lawn area is what’s important.
7. Pack in the plants
If you’re building in bench seating for your outdoor dining spot, use it as an opportunity to also create planting opportunities. This crisp, contemporary design by Nicholas Anthony has been softened by the planting around it, as well as by the mellow brick wall and wooden floor, which add warmth to the scheme.
If you’re building in bench seating for your outdoor dining spot, use it as an opportunity to also create planting opportunities. This crisp, contemporary design by Nicholas Anthony has been softened by the planting around it, as well as by the mellow brick wall and wooden floor, which add warmth to the scheme.
8. Introduce interest for the evening
One of the benefits of having a small garden or courtyard is that you can potentially afford to spend less on absolutely packing it with plants. And what could be more soothing than dining in the middle of your very own verdant oasis?
This courtyard garden by The Garden Builders has enveloping, lush living walls, with strategically positioned lighting to ensure all that greenery adds to the atmosphere after dark. As with all garden lighting schemes, consider wildlife by keeping lighting low, choosing downlighters over uplighters, and switching off at bedtime.
More: How to Design Garden Lighting That’s Good for You and Wildlife
One of the benefits of having a small garden or courtyard is that you can potentially afford to spend less on absolutely packing it with plants. And what could be more soothing than dining in the middle of your very own verdant oasis?
This courtyard garden by The Garden Builders has enveloping, lush living walls, with strategically positioned lighting to ensure all that greenery adds to the atmosphere after dark. As with all garden lighting schemes, consider wildlife by keeping lighting low, choosing downlighters over uplighters, and switching off at bedtime.
More: How to Design Garden Lighting That’s Good for You and Wildlife
9. Big up your balcony
If you have a balcony or roof terrace, you might be keen to block the gaze of passers-by on the street below while still enjoying the view. The height of this clipped hedge in a design by TLA Studio makes for an excellent compromise between privacy and enjoying the surroundings – and a view across city rooftops always feels rather romantic.
If you only have a Juliet balcony, you could even employ a planter on castors, full of indoor plants, to form a green screen. Set this up in front of those lovely but tricky-to-work-with glazed doors. Pop your dining table, even if it’s just a foldaway one for two, in front of it and you’ll feel as if you have your own pocket garden to eat in every day.
Tell us…
Which of these outdoor eating spots most appeals to you? Share your thoughts and photos of your own garden in the Comments.
If you have a balcony or roof terrace, you might be keen to block the gaze of passers-by on the street below while still enjoying the view. The height of this clipped hedge in a design by TLA Studio makes for an excellent compromise between privacy and enjoying the surroundings – and a view across city rooftops always feels rather romantic.
If you only have a Juliet balcony, you could even employ a planter on castors, full of indoor plants, to form a green screen. Set this up in front of those lovely but tricky-to-work-with glazed doors. Pop your dining table, even if it’s just a foldaway one for two, in front of it and you’ll feel as if you have your own pocket garden to eat in every day.
Tell us…
Which of these outdoor eating spots most appeals to you? Share your thoughts and photos of your own garden in the Comments.
Sponsored
Reload the page to not see this specific ad anymore
The striking oxidised metal walls are almost the star of this outdoor dining spot by Germinate Design, just as a feature wallpaper might be in an indoor eating area. But what really makes this impressive garden sparkle is the textural and visual contrasts.
The peekaboo cutout in the right-hand wall panel allows for a lush collision of burnt orange and vivid green. On the ground, the planting amid smooth tiles gives height and tactility. For a similar effect, avoid grass and look into lawns made from creeping thyme, clover, Irish moss or camomile instead.