Outdoor Dining

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With comfortable, practical furnishings – and a dose of good weather – there is nothing nicer than eating al fresco

What could be more enjoyable than a quiet breakfast, casual family lunch or sundowner barbecue in the garden, on the patio or even on the balcony? These days we are treating our outside spaces more and more as an extra room, ‘furnished’ not only with dining chairs and a table but, increasingly, with comfy sofas and armchairs, coffee and side tables, lighting, exterior-quality rugs, raised bars and even pizza ovens or complete outdoor kitchens.

Placing your dining furniture

When it’s just a case of a quick cup of tea and a slice of toast, a small perching spot is all that’s required; perhaps a chair, bench, stool or arbour in a quiet corner with a pretty view. But for spending any time dining comfortably outside, a little more planning is necessary. Pick a place that’s not too far from the kitchen door so that you can get food and drink in and out without too much fuss. But think about what the furniture will look like when viewed from the house – will it block your view of a favourite shrub, or enhance the overall setting? And there are some specific practicalities. Is there enough space for the required table size (including space to walk around it and pull the chairs out)? Is the ground level and dry? Is the area clear of overhanging branches? Will it be too sunny, or always in the shade?

What to choose?

The next big question is what type to buy. Consider what works best for your style of property, the overall look of your garden and your lifestyle. It could be: a bar set that takes up little space, ideal for drinks and nibbles; a large, formal table with six or even eight chairs for a classic dining experience; a casual dining set with a cushioned sofa and lower chairs; or a small bistro set for two. Options include dual-height tables that enable you to go from dining to lounging, or a gas-powered fire-pit table that provides warm, flickering flames for entertaining into the evenings. Advances in design, technology and materials

means modern outdoor furniture is comfortable, low maintenance and durable, and available in a huge number of styles and materials. For a more traditional feel, you might opt for natural rattan, Lloyd Loom, teak or oak, in generous, curving shapes, while a more modern space might incorporate steel, aluminium, outdoor wicker or upholstered, weatherproof fabric, featuring slim, angular forms and a minimal outline.

Luxurious touches

Adding outdoor cushions to your dining set adds a lovely dash of colour and pattern as well as additional comfort – and there are all sorts of extra touches you might wish to consider. A parasol, for example. But instead of a simple shade that slots into the centre of a table, why not a side-post parasol that raises, lowers, tilts and rotates, and that even comes with a light and a Bluetooth speaker? Go for maximum impact lighting with an oversized garden chandelier or giant floor lamp, or a row of torcherès that lead to the dining table. Add an outdoor rug, made from polypropylene to withstand sun, rain or snow. And finally, how about a table-top pizza oven to cook you and your guests an authentic stone-baked pizza in minutes? Delicious.

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Extend your evenings outdoors with flexible lighting

If you are renovating your garden and have the opportunity to add some external lighting, it is well worth considering the additional investment. Not only will you be able to enjoy your outside space later into the evenings, but it will highlight interesting features, help guide you safely in the dark and provide additional security. Because a new outdoor lighting circuit must conform to Building Regulations, always use a qualified electrician. • A floodlight with a wide beam, set at least two metres off the ground, is effective at providing general light. Make sure it won’t annoy your neighbours, though. • Wall lights are ideal for passageways and either side of an entrance. Consider security sensors that switch lights on when a visitor approaches. • Use spotlights to highlight specific elements, such as a sculptural plant or a water feature. • For a party atmosphere, wind, weave and swag strings of lights around trees, posts and trellises. • If you don’t have any outside power, consider solar lights or battery-operated LEDs. They are inexpensive and easy to install, and available in a range of styles from strings of fairy lights to candles and lanterns.

1 This Pro Series of festoon lights fills your space with an ambient glow, perfect for summer soirees.

Five metres of warm white LED connectable festoon lights, £30, Lights4Fun: 01423 816 040; lights4fun.co.uk. 2. Made from durable steel, this dining set is both practical and stylish. Rope dining set, £399,

Dobbies Garden Centres: 0131 561 6406; dobbies.com. 3. This foldable bistro set echoes Parisian café furniture and comes in an array of colours.

Rive Droite bistro set, small, in Clay, £120, Garden Trading: 01993 845 559; gardentrading.co.uk.

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