Creating a Garden Dining Space That Feels Like a Holiday

Many holiday meals are memorable simply because they have been eaten outside, in a vine-shaded area. The light will change to a golden hue as the sun sets and there will be a sense of relaxation as no one rushes you to clear the table. Creating a garden dining space at home need not be expensive and does not require a large garden. It does need some thought in terms of location, protection from weather and how it will be lit in the evenings.

Put the table in the right place

Start with the path from the kitchen. A garden table at the end of a lawn may look great in a photo but the reality of having to carry all your plates, glasses and cutlery down the garden is soon realised. So, a more practical location would be near a back door on a firm, level surface. Paving, decking or compacted gravel are good options as long as the legs of your chairs won’t sink into the surface or wobble about.

Check where the sun is at the times you actually have meals. A spot that bakes in the middle of the day might be perfect in the evenings, and the reverse is just as common, so spend a weekend checking out the light before you come to a decision.

Add shelter and a sense of enclosure

Outdoor spaces found on holiday homes are rarely exposed to the elements, and it is common to find structures such as a pergola, a large parasol or a sail shade to provide protection against the sun and light showers. The effect created by these features is to form an outdoor room, and a pergola can be softened by climbing plants trained over it within a season or two. A large permanent structure near a boundary with a neighbouring property should be discussed with the local council before being constructed.

Plants also play a part in screening. Tall grasses or shrub-like specimens in big containers can hide a neighbour’s window and even block some wind. Rosemary, thyme and a pot of fresh basil near the table to pick as needed will also fill the air with wonderful scents on a warm evening.

Choose furniture that will last outdoors

Hardwoods such as teak can stay outside all year, changing to a silver grey. Powder-coated aluminium is light and modern and won’t rust. More affordable softwoods and some of the rattan-effect sets may need to be covered or put away over winter to be kept in good condition. However, the most important thing about your garden table and chairs is the comfort of the chairs. People want to stay and sit in comfortable chairs.

Light it for the evening

The best part of your meal will often be after dark, so you need to consider the lighting. Warm white bulbs are far more relaxing than cool white ones. A row of festoon lights strung across a pergola plus a few lanterns on the table and some low level lights on the path back to the house are usually all you need. Solar powered lights are also simple to add to your outside lighting, but they can fade early on cloudy days so do not rely on them alone.

Garden dining space: common mistakes

• Placing the table too far from the kitchen
• Choosing a spot without checking where the evening sun falls
• Buying a large table and uncomfortable chairs
• Relying on one bright floodlight instead of several soft lights
• Forgetting somewhere to put dishes down while serving