Here’s How to Make the Perfect Outdoor Eating Area

Here’s How to Make the Perfect Outdoor Eating Area

There’s no better time to create your own outdoor dining area than the summer. When the weather is good, there are few more relaxing things than eating outdoors, with the sun rays beaming on your face. However, not all outdoor eating areas are made equal.

Choice of furniture, the presence of parasols and how nice the view of the garden is, all make a significant difference to a prospective dining area. Of course, the weather also matters, but unfortunately, that’s not something we can control. Anyhow, here are some important tips and ideas that you should take into consideration when designing your outdoor eating area.

  • Make sure you can shelter yourself from the elements: The weather in the UK can change fast! As such, you might be bathing in the sun without a cloud in the sky, and, 20 minutes later, find yourself surprised by a downpour of rain. So, it’s important to make sure that you’ve got a shelter, such as a parasol, that you can put up or remove as the weather changes.
  • Focus on garden furniture: Garden furniture isn’t just about being comfy and practical, it’s also about appearance, and how it blends into the garden environment. You should also focus on the type of materials that your garden furniture is made out of. While metal can rust when exposed to rainwater, wood can also get damp and rot over time. Something that you should consider, though, is rattan garden furniture, which not only has a visually appealing natural look about it, but it’s also very practical. Rattan is water-resistant and fairly light, meaning that you’ll be able to pick it up and move it around with ease.
  • Lighting: If you think that you’ll be spending a lot of time in the garden at night, then having a creative lighting scheme will help both you and your guests have a fun night socialising outdoors. While solar lights can be a great idea for the summer, other parts of the year don’t tend to have enough sunlight to make them work reliably. Getting lighting installed into the decking or patio tends to be a popular option these days, and creative ideas such as a lit-up fountain can also be a party draw.
  • Pest control: The one thing that you might not enjoy about eating outdoors is that pests might get in the way. In the UK, slugs tend to be a big problem on patios. That’s why it is important to invest in some pest control. There are natural methods to remove pests, as well. Certain plants, such as lemon thyme and rosemary, tend to repel certain pests, making it a good idea to plant them.
  • Patio heaters: If you want your garden to be a good socialising spot during the winter months, then there are few better ways to do this than by investing in some patio heaters. That will help keep everyone warm!