Warm Weather Dining

As the warmer weather starts to take hold on a more regular basis I love to set up our outdoor patio for enjoying meals outdoors. There is nothing better than waking up and enjoying breakfast with the rising sun each morning.

This alfresco dining becomes irresistible for many of us. It really is a joy to eat a delicious meal while soaking up that all important vitamin D!

It’s also the time to get family and friends over to enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s a pizza night with the outdoor pizza oven in full force, or a more casual barbeque lunch, everyone loves to spend time outside enjoying their favorite foods.

The design of your outdoor dining area plays a crucial role in the success and overall enjoyment of eating outdoors during the warmer months. With a well thought out outdoor dining area, you can easily set the mood and provide comfort for guests.

In this article we’re going to explore the various ways you can create an outdoor dining space with Warm Weather Dining in mind. It’s time to clean up your outdoor furniture and get ready to transform your outdoor space for soaking up all that summer has to offer!

Define The Area

It’s important to choose a nice sunny spot outdoors that is close to the main house. This will enable you to take full advantage of the outdoor dining area when the weather is warm outside, as it will be within close proximity of the house itself. Ideally your outdoor dining area will be on an existing patio or deck, but it’s relatively straightforward to have one added into your backyard if needed.

Defining your outdoor dining area with a patio area helps to keep all the outdoor furniture together so you can design it just like an indoor space! We love to use outdoor area rugs to further define outdoor living or dining spaces, while also injecting color and pattern.

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Flexible Shade

In order for the whole family to enjoy the outdoors during the warmer months, having flexible shady areas is key. While you may love soaking up the hot summer sun, your parents or children may require shade to enjoy the outdoors properly. Providing flexibility for guests – and your own family! – goes a long way to creating a warm weather dining experience.

Creating shade in your backyard can be a result of many different things. From purpose-built pergolas, large sail shades, to moveable and flexible cantilever umbrellas, or traditional outdoor umbrellas – there’s something for every budget and style!

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Outdoor Entertaining and How to get Outdoor Lighting Right!

Outdoor Lighting

If you’re a regular reader around here, you’ll know that we advocate for good lighting design throughout the home which includes all the outdoor spaces! Getting the lighting right in your backyard can have an incredible effect on your overall experience outdoors.

Adding in pathway lights to illuminate key paths through your outdoor space can help set the foundations for good lighting outdoors. From here, you can add string lights to add a soft illumination to your pergola or shaded area, and other decorative outdoor lighting! 

Did you know that outdoor table lamps are now available?! How cool is that! You can actually create a space outdoors that is reminiscent of your indoor spaces too.

We also love to use outdoor lanterns, with either real candles, solar powered, or battery-operated ones – the choice is yours.

The more different types of ambient outdoor lighting you can add to your patio or decking, the more intimate and cozy dining space you can create for enjoying those longer summer evenings.