Creating an Outdoor Dining Room for Alfresco Living
Have you ever dreamed of having an outdoor dining room for entertaining family and friends? Then, this article includes everything you need to know about creating an elegant and stylish alfresco dining area.
Whether your outdoor space is covered or open to the sky, we have advice on how to create an outdoor dining room that adds enjoyment to your home. Everything from the layout to the finishes, the décor to the services – we cover it all. Dining alfresco is what British summers are all about: the gentle breeze, the birds’ song and the perfume of freshly cut grass, it’s a heady experience. And, furthermore, it turns out that the more time we spend outdoors, the better for our mental and physical health.
Our guide to dining outdoors helps you create unforgettable memories and opens up new ways of enjoying your home and garden.
20 mm Riven Cream Antislip 296×120 cm
The Basics of Creating an Outdoor Dining Area
No matter how small your exterior space, we are going to explain how to make the very best of it. There are a few basic considerations, however, that will improve any outdoor dining room and ensure optimum functionality.
#01 Location: Keep the dining area close to the kitchen, but make sure to take advantage of the orientation to get maximum direct sunlight. The ideal position for an outdoor dining area is facing west to capture the evening sun.
#02 Privacy: In a perfect world, you would not be overlooked when dining outdoors. Nevertheless, there are clever ways to achieve privacy that add to the ambience. Planters and wind screens are a great way to add more greenery while also protecting the outdoor dining room from wind.
#03 Cover: If your dining area is not covered by a porch or an overhang, you might consider constructing a pergola or a temporary structure to keep the rain off. An extendable canopy will also work with the added advantage of taking up less space.
#04 Services & Lighting: You might consider adding a few electrical outlets to the exterior terrace area. This is a great investment for more serious cooking that facilitates appliances like a hotplate or fridge without having to go the whole hog with a complete kitchen. Similarly, after sunset, you will want to add attractive lighting to bring a warm glow to the proceedings.
#05 Outdoor kitchen: For cooking enthusiasts, only an outdoor kitchen will do. This option is particularly suitable for catering to large groups. The combination of cooking and dining outdoors is becoming more and more popular.
Recommended Finishes for the Outdoor Dining Room
We adapt our homes to the seasons throughout the year, extending outwards during the warmer months. And drawing inwards in winter. Garden dining areas are no different, we will use them in a variety of ways over the year. Therefore, choosing suitable materials and finishes for both the flooring and the surrounding walls is critical. The UK weather takes a toll on anything left outdoors, so invest wisely when it comes to deciding on the finishes. Outdoor tiles are a great option for that reason.
Smart Vancouver Nude 22×90 cm
Flooring Materials
Natural stone slabs look effortlessly stylish within an outdoor dining room. Nowadays, thanks to more sophisticated manufacturing techniques, porcelain-effect stone and concrete tiles recreate the same aesthetic. In addition, porcelain is the gold standard for outdoor tiling thanks to its almost zero water absorption and low porosity. These tiles require little maintenance and can withstand the harshest of UK weather.
For a more indoor style outdoor dining room, porcelain timber effect tiles look the business. The planks can be laid in a herringbone pattern or in the more traditional linear style. Either way, these tiles provide all the warmth and tactile quality of timber without the maintenance issues.
No matter what outdoor flooring material you end up choosing, however, the finish must have an anti-slip rating, or R Rating. R 13 being the highest rating, for the outdoor dining room, anything between R11 and R12 is acceptable.
Line 3D Arce 59.6×150 cm
Stone 3D Arce 59.6×150 cm
Wall Cladding
To add a luxurious flourish to your exterior dining area, we recommend adding porcelain or ceramic tiles to the surrounding walls. Unlike practically every other popular cladding material, these tiles retain their lustre and good looks over time. Furthermore, the floor and wall finishes can be matched or contrasted with one another to add inside levels of comfort. The wide range and endless variety of wall tiles for the outdoors help you customise the design of the outdoor dining room.
Outdoor Dining Design Ideas
Just like any other room of the home, the furnishings make a great contribution to the décor. From the table and chairs to the soft furnishings, the lighting and other accessories, the styling of dining room patio furniture should not be overlooked.
Raised access flooring Riven Brown Antislip 296×120 cm
The outdoor dining table is the most important functional element of the outdoor dining room. Make sure to match the height of the chairs with the table to provide comfortable dining. Next-generation porcelain tabletops are especially recommended for the UK climate. Unlike wood, these finishes are durable, resistant to mould and stain-proof. Choose a metal support structure for a minimalist, heavy-duty dining table. Along similar lines, external grade fabrics have evolved in leaps and bounds over recent years, so there’s no need to compromise on outdoor upholstery.
Not forgetting artificial lighting, one of the most characterful outdoor dining room ideas is the addition of light. You can add feature lighting with an outdoor lamp standard or an applique, or even a table lamp.
Outdoor Dining Ideas for Small Spaces
Smaller gardens and terraces are more intimate, with a more roomlike indoor quality. The secret to making smaller outdoor spaces feel comfortable is scale. Choose outdoor dining furniture that fits with the surroundings. A smaller table that can extend if necessary is a good idea. Add a feature-patterned floor tile that will catch the eye. Group potted plants and other accessories together to create visual islands dotted around the space. Low-level recessed LED lighting is also recommended for smaller outdoor spaces to illuminate the ground plane. You can create a spectacular outdoor dining room even within a restricted area.
Patio Ideas to Feed Body & Soul
Among all the ways to enjoy your garden and outdoor space, there are few so rewarding as the outdoor dining room. Life is simply more intense outside, food tastes better, conversation flows more freely, and summer days fuse into summer nights. To discover the potential of your outdoor space for summer get-togethers, make an appointment at your nearest Porcelanosa showroom. Alternatively, drop us a line with your enquiries and we’ll get back to you.
