Gorgeous architecture makes it easy to create a romantic alfresco dining area. The simplicity of the table setting allows the surrounding walls to shine, while tall candles, wood and metal chairs and a dash of green running down the table warm up the rustic setting.

A dining table. Enjoying a meal outdoors is one of the best ways to use a porch. Even if your porch is very small, a petite café table for two will do.Porch lovers, tell us: Have I missed any aspects of porch life you'd like to read about in this series? Let me know in the Comments section! More: Wraparound Porches | Sleeping Porches | Screened-In Porches | Modern Porches | Banishing the Bugs | Dining on the Porch | Color on the Porch | Small Porches

The armchair version is a sturdier and more comfortable version, and it has rustic French farm appeal. These chairs (available at bistrosets.com) have a similar look.

An indoor-outdoor Christmas. Porches, or verandas, are abundant in Australia. Again, this is because our climate is so changeable — sometimes it can be both stinking hot and raining at the same time. Either way, we end up feeling very grateful to sit under cover to enjoy our Christmas celebrations. No matter what the weather, plum pudding with lashings of brandy cream is a must on Christmas Day in Australia. The puddings are made months in advance and boiled for hours on the day, while more brandy than cream is whipped up for serving. A long veranda like this could be the perfect spot to serve a stunning outdoor Christmas meal for the entire family.

Lake

dream space.

Beautiful textures

Love the rock!

Stefan se Italian stoep

All the architectural elements tie the whole look together. Very inviting.

I just like it

Bench for cabin table

Door and brickwork

Table setting

Basic

Arched window wall; huge table

Table

glass doors in archway

Round door?

Brick arch

tuscan porch

Alfresco dining

Muted blue window

Entertaining

Candles

seating

brick archway

Backyard window casings

fantastic

cement top table

benches for sitting = don't always have to use chairs

Back porch cedar brick combo

Montana

Red plates touch of red

Lovely outside living

like the bench on one side

table chairs bench

long table

arched french doors

Arco

kandelaars

Want large eating table

Wow

Loooong table - love it!

Chairs

Chairs for outside

dream porch.

Granite table top. Plus mix of bench and chairs.

long table stone

table setting etc

Long Table

pool area - window framed by arch

like all the texture

I love this!

Yes

rock

Arch

Love!

Love the stone around the windows!!!

looks cosy, lighting

Old door

grand looking space

feel of space

Table for Okoboji porch

wood, brick, table

Patio

table setup

dfurniture

beautiful

arco

The materials are great. How about that window shape and framing

Chairs and ambiance

arched doorway into bakc of house

WINE!!

outdoor luxury

chairs

Outside

Ideal for rainy nights

note use of brick and stone

love!

outdoor

Porch

Wow!! love the wood siding and rock wall!

Transition from windows to doors with brick/rock. Nice

table base

front porch table

TERRAZA TERRAZA!!!!

outdoor eating area

Door

Love two benches on the end

Sunlight

brick?

the textures of wood, light, wrought iron, stainless, burlap

Love the outdoor space....perfect for functions!

love the different kinds of stone

Love this!

Stonework

cozy

BEACH BACK PORCH

Would Love to entertain in this space...

Verandah

brick and stone combo

I love this table

window framed by arch way to the outdoor space.

all

patio

outdoors

Brick stones wood wrought iron

cabin porch?

outdoor space

do you see the table with enough seating for everybody???? i LOVE IT!

patio trasero

Roll out table and chairs for deck

Arched entry to patio

door with brick frame - gorgeous!

Love it

outdoor eating area

the exterior wall. The covered outdoor space.

LOVE LOVE

Wow

outdoor eating

outdoor space

Outdoor Dining

Outdoor Dining

Great patio dining area

greeat porch

Love the long table/patio

porch

basement walk-out covered patio area.

Textures

table setting and everything about the patio

outdoor living / dining

The doors are great. Metal - dark grey - style

arch window- stone wood brick

entrada en piedra

Everything!!!

patio!

Outdoor dining area

italian porch

the large verandah and natural materials make for a warm outdoor experience

Patio

sweet

Outdoor area

table

An indoor-outdoor Christmas.

Nice parugala

Invitingly beautiful

cozy

patio

cool outdoor table

Outdoor

Love the porch. Stonework, door, might be great for Montana house.

i'm ready to eat...

Awesome Outdoor Living Space

Big window out to dining table

love the doors

covered porch

dining al fresco

exterior steel window

long bench-extra seating

Christmas in Australia

Porch

deck chairs and table

Awesome dining area

Everything.Narrower table ,bench seating works for a not so big terrace/balcony.

everything

Door shape, rock and wood

porch

Rustic, great use of multiple materials. Table setting is nicely done.

Ah-Maz-Ing

the tall candle holders.

New home

Amazing stone work

table

Outdoor area

coverd area

My ideal terrace dining room! I want this so bad! Need the wherewithal, tho'.

verandah

this is beautiful

outdoor space

brick

Gorgeous setting

Terasa

Great table for feeding folks at terrace level by Tiki barbecue area ~

long dining table on veranda

outdoor dining with friends, stone, wood, italianesque

LOVE the furniture and candlesticks - ideas for new patio decorations??

Reminds me of our Harvest Table outside area -- like candles too --- the height!

rock surround

beautiful outdoor eating space. Love the table and setting

outdoor table

Great

window/door

love the rustic outside space!! Brick and stone coordinates perfectly with the wood.

Love outdoor eating porch!

Porch

covered patio

Window