Outdoor Dining Space Amy Smith, January 11, 2023May 16, 2024 Creating Your Dream Outdoor Dining Space for Your Family and Friends in Your Backyard: What You Need to Know Do you love the idea of being able to host your family and friends for a meal in your backyard but don’t currently have the right set-up? Outdoor dining has been trendy for years now and with more homeowners embracing it yearly, it’s clear this is a trend that is here to stay. Creating a fabulous outdoor dining space can feel like you’ve just expanded your overall living space, as long as it’s done correctly. Here’s a look at how you can create your dream outdoor dining space that is perfect for hosting friends and family in your backyard. Create a Layout That Maximizes Space The first step to creating your dream outdoor dining space is to draw up a layout. You want to give the area as much space as possible. Doing this ensures the flow will work and it won’t feel crowded. It also ensures you can accommodate lots of guests when entertaining. Included in the layout should be the seating area, the food preparation area and the cooking area. If a food preparation area isn’t possible, i.e., a sink and countertop, then focus on the seating and cooking spaces. Give Your Guests the Option of Shade As you plan where the seating will be, you must give your guests the option of shade. There will be plenty of hot and sunny days when you are dining outdoors, and not everyone enjoys sitting in full sun. A simple solution is an umbrella that can be placed in the center of the table or one of the large oversized portable umbrellas that you can move around. If the budget allows and you prefer the look of it, you could build a pergola to help block some of the sun or install a retractable awning which will do an excellent job. The BBQ Isn’t Your Only Cooking Option Another tip is to think about different cooking options for your outdoor kitchen. A BBQ is always important and will open the door to all kinds of tasty grilled dishes, but that’s not the only option homeowners have. You may also want to look into an outdoor portable wood-fired pizza oven, such as the Ooni Karu as a way to feed guests something unexpected and delicious. Just imagine their faces as you pop their customized personal pizza into the pizza oven and then remove it just minutes later bubbling and smelling incredible. An outdoor pizza oven kit is one of those things you’ll get a lot of use of, as they are quick and easy to use and the results are nothing short of perfection each time. Comfortable Seating Should Be a Top Priority Now let’s talk outdoor furniture. This shouldn’t be an afterthought; instead, it should play a prominent role in your plans. Seating needs to be weatherproof so it can stand up to the elements, and be comfortable and supportive and stylish so it creates a whole vibe outdoors. Even if the furniture itself is a little bland, you can add pops of color through the seat cushions and table mats. In choosing the material, think in terms of strength and durability. Anything with a metal frame will be strong and last a long time. This includes items like wrought iron, powder-coated steel and aluminum. Just be mindful that metal furniture can rust if not protected. Other popular materials include wood, rattan, concrete and resin/plastic. The fact is that all materials have pros and cons, so it’s important to weigh your options carefully. Outdoor Lighting Makes Entertaining in the Evening Possible Because you don’t want to send your guests home simply because the sun is setting, be sure to also include outdoor lighting in your plans. This will allow you to entertain well into the evening, and there’s the fact it adds ambiance to the backyard. Professional outdoor designers tend to suggest you use a variety of options for a customized look. This includes such things as rope lighting, garden lights, walkway lights, sunken lights, string lights, uplighting to highlight trees/bushes, and standard lights on the wall of the house. Solar-powered lights are convenient in that you don’t have to worry about wiring, but the light itself may not be as strong and certainly not as reliable as wired lighting. Finish It Off with the Perfect Décor Pieces To finish off the outdoor dining space, be sure to use décor to pull the look together. This includes throw cushions, throw blankets, oversized planters with beautifully colored flowers, an outdoor rug, decorative outdoor-safe dishes, outdoor statues or figurines, and anything else that you find that works with your design concept. By using all of these tips to guide you in the process, you’ll be able to create your dream outdoor dining space in no time. All that’s left to do is entertain your guests. Image Source: Freepik Share on FacebookTweetFollow usSave For the Home