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10 Stylish Outdoor Dining Ideas

by | Last updated Jun 15, 2023 | Inspiration | 0 comments

Over the past few months, the UK population has spent more time than ever in their gardens and outside spaces. This has led to thousands of people renovating their outside eating areas to replicate or rival their pre-lockdown beloved alfresco hot spots.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration for a total renovation or want to make some slight changes, we’ve rounded up 10 stylish outdoor dining ideas to make your garden eating areas ‘Instagram’ worthy.

 

1. Make your outdoor dining area available all year round

Having your outdoor eating area sheltered not only guarantees you can dine alfresco regardless of the unpredictable British weather but also ensures your garden dining area is the statement feature of your outside space. 

Roll out a large colourful rug underneath your patio furniture to make the area snugger and further transform your garden eating area into a versatile space for you and the family to enjoy.

Image by Old Brand New via Royal Design Studio Stencils.

 

2. Make your dining area “exotic”

Venturing far from home may feel like a distant memory, however, the lockdown has invigorated some people’s enthusiasm to inject some colour into their gardens.

With a record demand for seeds and flowers, Britain is blooming, so why not incorporate your newfound love of gardening into your alfresco dining area.

Arbours and pergolas add so much character to a garden, especially when they are planted with flowering vines. Team one of these with a chunky solid wooden table with benches to create an enchanting garden dining area.

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Image by Virginievandewoude via Instgram.com

 

3. It’s all about the lights

There’s nothing like well-thought-out garden lighting to instantaneously illuminate your space. Introducing the right lighting is a vital part of garden design; especially so you can be sure that socialising and relaxing alfresco style can go on long after the sunsets.

There are many options for lighting available to suit all budgets and preferences; from a battery or solar-powered operated fairy lights to fully connected feature lighting systems.

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Image by Idlights via Idlights.com

 

4. Erect Stylish Privacy Walls

We know that everybody has busy lifestyles, so the ability to unwind in your own little secluded patch of serenity, away from prying eyes is a must. There is nothing better than being able to sit in your newly created Zen alfresco dining area and unwind after a long day.

Privacy screening is a useful and attractive tool, not only to separate your property from your neighbours but also to divide different areas of your garden, such as patios and outdoor dining areas.

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Image by Frontgate via Frontgate.com

 

5. Add a touch of personality and build your own seating area

If you’ve got some extra time on your hands and fancy a project, then making your garden seating furniture is a fantastic way of saving money whilst decorating.

There are so many positives to this, from maximising the space you have available to incorporating seating with planters. You could even add storage underneath them to keep your cushions nice and dry, ready for their next use.

There are hundreds of examples and videos to help you online; teaming your seating with a solid table is going to get you dinner party-ready in no time!

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Image by Eve Wilson via The Local Project

 

6. Incorporate some fire-pits

Fire pits are the ultimate focal point in constructing an alfresco lounge space, by creating an irresistibly ambient glow for a cosy evening outdoors.

After the summer sun has gone down, there’s no excuse to not sit outside when you can sit next to those toasty flames right into the night. Imagine how excited your friends will be when you say “we’re lighting up the fire pit tonight. Want to come over?”

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Image by Mindy Gayer via Decorpad.com

 

7. Create an outside kitchen

When the smallest bit of sun appears in the UK, Brits can often be found out in their gardens firing up the BBQs. One in five millennials who invested in their gardens bought or will buy, a barbecue during the lockdown, more than any other group.

A BBQ has become an outdoor space staple. No backyard is truly complete without one. With so many to choose from, such as natural gas, electric, portable and charcoal grills, you’ll be sure to find the perfect BBQ to compliment your yard and budget.

If cooking outside with all the essentials at your fingertips is your idea of domestic bliss, then you could even go the extra mile and consider building a full outdoor kitchen to create that wow-factor in your outside dining area.

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Image via Mrandmrshowe.com

 

8. Balcony vibes

If you live in an apartment and want to relax after work on a sunny evening, the last thing on your mind is venturing out to the public park. Having your own minimalist stylish outside dining area is a must. Balconies are often the most neglected part of a house – this is especially the case in small apartments where balconies are often used for storage.

If you want a minimalist look, opt for bar stools and a table that can fit on the railing. It not only saves space but gives you somewhere to sit when you want to eat outside!

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Image by BonPrix via Pintrest.com

 

9. Outside cinema anyone?

There’s no better end to a warm summer’s day than a relaxed meal with friends and family. Use cushions and fabrics to create a stylish comfy space to hang out, eat snacks or even watch a film.

Accessorising your outside space is just as important as inside. Potted plants, lanterns and hammocks are a massive trend this summer. With a few carefully chosen botanicals and succulents, you can really up the wow factor of your garden space.

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Image by Unknown via Pintrest

 

10. Pub lunch

More and more places may be starting to open, but not all of us feel ready to head out to public spaces just yet. One solution to fill the pub gap without stepping too far outside your home is to create your very own drinking and dining area in the back garden.

If you’re missing out on sitting at a bar and ordering a cold beer and some snacks, take some inspiration from this. A minimalist stylish outside dining option straight from the window of your home.

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Image by Alec Hemer via Housebeautiful.com

 

11. [Bonus] Sunken Seating

If your landscape allows, lowering a section of your garden to create modern seating or an outside dining area will look awesome. Sunken seating areas make small gardens more dynamic, dramatic whilst providing privacy within larger gardens.

You can make these areas really stylish by incorporating planting beds and other garden elements. They are incredibly versatile and offer an opportunity for creating a snug, wraparound seating nook around a fire pit, an outdoor table or BBQ area.

This stylish boma by Blok Designs was sunk below ground level to subtly intergrate it into the terraced design of this Jo burg garden

Image by Blok Designs via Showme.co.za

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