How to make your garden the perfect alfresco dining space

It’s often difficult to get the most out of your garden, especially living in the UK with the temperamental weather and unpredictable forecasts. As a result of this, many people tend to forget their gardens exist and miss out on the fabulous opportunities they have through having their own outdoor space. Outdoor dining is one excellent way of enjoying your garden, and this can be done all year around. Whether you have a small or large garden, there’s always a way to create your own alfresco dining area in order to make the most of your outdoor space.
When it comes to your outdoor space, it’s important to consider what space you have and how you can utilise it well. If you have decking or a patio, this tends to be the best space to position your dining space, as you have a solid ground to work with and don’t have to worry about chair legs sinking into the grass. If you decide to place your dining area on decking, there are so many ways in which you can dress the area up and create a beautiful space for you and your guests to enjoy. Decking is perfect for easy cleaning too, for example spilling food or drinks on decking can easily be cleaned away or wiped down, similar to if you have a patio. Having a supportive, solid surface is exactly what you need to be able to enjoy your outdoor dining space and create the perfect look for your garden.
Furniture is the key element in outdoor dining. How you choose to style your alfresco dining space will determine just how comfortable and relaxed you and your guests can be when experiencing your outdoor dining area. If you opt for a set of metal chairs with no cushions, you may find issues with getting comfortable and this could affect how you enjoy your whole time spent there. Investing in some durable yet comfortable outdoor furniture is the best step to take. There are so many different types of outdoor furniture, from glass to marble topped tables, elegant parasols to shade you from the sun, and even seats with detachable cushions for practicality over the wintery months. Once you’ve chosen your style of furniture, you can decide what kind of theme you want to go for. Every outdoor dining space will have a theme, even if you don’t intend on creating one. Often, it’s your personal style that oozes out of the décor, however you can always find sets and designs that create a particular feel and look.
Once you’ve decided how you wish to design your outdoor dining area, you can get to work on creating the perfect alfresco dining space. Ambiance is everything when it comes to dining, whether you’re indoors or out, therefore it’s important to consider your lighting and how you want the area to feel. Adding lighting such as hanging lanterns or tall standing, portable lights is a good way of illuminating the area whilst keeping a nice yellow-toned glow. If you want to go for something a little more magical, fairy lights are excellent for creating a cosy, warm feel that will turn your outdoor area into a relaxing haven. Once you have decided on your main source of lighting, you can look at adding cute details such as tea lights and larger candles. Candles are perfect for creating a calming, inviting ambiance and will really help keep your dining experience a relaxed one.