Isolation can be tough on your mental health, so it’s important to incorporate safe social interactions into your routine to keep your spirits up. Outdoor dining allows you to get fresh air and spend time with loved ones, which are both great ways to practice self care and check in with your mental health. Finding small moments of normalcy to enjoy with your family are so important to your overall well-being in tough times.
It’s easy to create the perfect outdoor dining space in your home to host family or friends, whether you’re setting up on your patio, porch, deck or just your backyard. Check out our list of essentials to create the ultimate outdoor space where you’ll share plenty of meals and memories.
The perfect dining set in germ-destroying eucalyptus wood
Of course, the most important piece of your outdoor dining setup is the table. Your outdoor table can reflect your indoor design style with tons of design options, from boho to modern. Tables also come in a variety of sizes to accommodate your whole family and many feature seating with cushions so you’ll be comfortable for long, lingering meals. Find your table first and then build your design around that piece since it will surely be the focal point of your outdoor space.
Bring out that evening glow with a couple strings of lights
Add ambiance and allow your dinner parties to linger well into the night with added outdoor lighting. String lights with large Edison bulbs look charming strung across a patio or woven through a pergola. You can also add rustic style sconces to the side of your house or solar powered path lighting to help everyone find their way to your outdoor dining area. On the table add led lanterns or candles (real or battery powered) to illuminate the meal and give a welcoming atmosphere.
Keep your guests warm by adding a heat lamp nearby
Extra heating sources can help extend your outdoor dining season even further. Heat lamps are a popular choice for the outdoors that can throw heat over a large surface area. Accessories like heated blankets or even battery heated jackets, gloves or sweatshirts are great to have on hand if you live in an especially freezing locale. Finally, everyone loves cozying up around a gorgeous fire table. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy a post-meal cup of coffee or roast some marshmallows for a yummy s’mores dessert.
Set the mood with this classic dining set in stunning acacia wood with designer upholstery
Set the outdoor table
Make your outdoor meals feel extra special with their own dedicated tableware. Durable melamine dishes and glasses give you peace of mind so you don’t have to worry about anything breaking while you’re outside. Using a table runner, instead of a tablecloth, gives your outdoor space a relaxing, casual feel. Finally, corral your silverware in a utensil caddy to make it easy to transport in and out of the house whenever you want to sit down for a meal outside.
Throw some shade with a versatile umbrella in a winning designer color
A large patio umbrella is a must to shade your table from sun and rain and allow you to be able to dine in almost any weather. Offset umbrellas are perfect for outdoor dining because they don’t require a pole to come through the center of your table, but they still cover plenty of area with shade.
Sip drinks at your outdoor bar
Bring your outdoor dining space to the next level with an outdoor bar area. Add some swivel barstools to create the perfect spot to linger and chat over some delicious cocktails. Nestle your barstools up to a built in bar, or if you don’t have one, a high top table is perfect for creating a chill hang out area. An outdoor bar will round out your dining space to become an oasis where your friends and family can spend quality time together.
Your family will love having a beautiful outdoor dining space to share meals and make memories together. A few quality pieces of furniture can turn any outdoor area into a functional dining space. Check out our outdoor collections to find the perfect pieces to complete your vision!
Author bio: Megan is a freelance writer for the heated jacket brand Gobi Heat. When she’s not writing she spends her time binge watching home decor Youtube videos, playing with her rescue mutt and practicing yoga.
