Landscape Design
15 Ways to Create a Beautiful Outdoor Dining Space
Discover ideas for designing a memorable alfresco dining area, whether you have a simple patio or a large yard
A pleasurable alfresco dining experience, whether you’re enjoying a quiet meal alone, gathering with family or entertaining a crowd, often comes down to a few thoughtful choices. The right dining table, a clever layout, effective temperature control and well-planned lighting can make all the difference. Take a look at these 15 delightful outdoor dining spaces for ideas to inspire your own.
2. Complement the Natural Landscape
This porch in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire by TMS Architects & Interiors suits its woodland waterfront setting. An understated wood dining table blends harmoniously with the surrounding trees, while fabric placemats and finely woven chair seats reflect the natural palette.
Candles on the table are echoed by bulbs in the lanterns overhead. Their striking black metal frames anchor the space, while comfy armchairs nearby invite guests to relax and enjoy the lake view.
This porch in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire by TMS Architects & Interiors suits its woodland waterfront setting. An understated wood dining table blends harmoniously with the surrounding trees, while fabric placemats and finely woven chair seats reflect the natural palette.
Candles on the table are echoed by bulbs in the lanterns overhead. Their striking black metal frames anchor the space, while comfy armchairs nearby invite guests to relax and enjoy the lake view.
3. Add Rustic Warmth
This yard in Portland, Oregon, shows how a secluded, rustic-style dining space can feel at home in a more modern setting. Ayers Design Build surrounded the area with layered plantings that envelop diners, while a chunky wood table set on gravel and topped with a fringed linen tablecloth reinforces the rustic mood.
The look works because these elements are paired with more contemporary pieces that connect to the rest of the property while still nodding to the rural theme, including forest-green metal chairs and a simple metal cube lantern tucked among the trees.
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This yard in Portland, Oregon, shows how a secluded, rustic-style dining space can feel at home in a more modern setting. Ayers Design Build surrounded the area with layered plantings that envelop diners, while a chunky wood table set on gravel and topped with a fringed linen tablecloth reinforces the rustic mood.
The look works because these elements are paired with more contemporary pieces that connect to the rest of the property while still nodding to the rural theme, including forest-green metal chairs and a simple metal cube lantern tucked among the trees.
10 Ways to Turn Your Backyard Into a Resort-Inspired Retreat
4. Make Room for a Crowd
An extra-long table makes hosting large gatherings a breeze in this Costa Mesa, California, yard by Garden Studio. The simple wood design sits lightly on unobtrusive paving, while open-weave chairs echo the intricate texture of the olive trees beyond.
A slatted wood pergola casts dappled shade as climbing white roses enclose the space in serene greenery. Plant pots running down the center of the table reinforce the leafy feel, while discreet lighting and ceiling-mounted heaters extend the alfresco dining season.
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An extra-long table makes hosting large gatherings a breeze in this Costa Mesa, California, yard by Garden Studio. The simple wood design sits lightly on unobtrusive paving, while open-weave chairs echo the intricate texture of the olive trees beyond.
A slatted wood pergola casts dappled shade as climbing white roses enclose the space in serene greenery. Plant pots running down the center of the table reinforce the leafy feel, while discreet lighting and ceiling-mounted heaters extend the alfresco dining season.
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
5. Embrace Indoor-Outdoor Living
An oversized arc lamp, a runner-style wood inlay in the table and plank decking give this dining space in Paris by Terrasse et Jardin de Paris a distinctly indoor-outdoor aesthetic.
Sliding glass doors make it easy for the homeowners and their guests to move between the deck and the adjacent sunroom, while a nearby cushioned outdoor sectional invites them to linger.
An oversized arc lamp, a runner-style wood inlay in the table and plank decking give this dining space in Paris by Terrasse et Jardin de Paris a distinctly indoor-outdoor aesthetic.
Sliding glass doors make it easy for the homeowners and their guests to move between the deck and the adjacent sunroom, while a nearby cushioned outdoor sectional invites them to linger.
6. Set Up a Stylish Outdoor Kitchen
If effortless entertaining is the goal, an outdoor kitchen is a smart addition to a dining space. Natalia Avalos Interiors turned a neglected side yard in San Francisco into an inviting seating and dining area. A sturdy wood table and comfy dining chairs sit on stone paving beside a textured stone kitchen with a polished stone countertop. A dark wood fence behind it visually connects with the trees beyond.
Because the property has a more extensive outdoor kitchen in the main backyard, this one is equipped with just a Big Green Egg kamado grill, a sink and storage. The setup could easily be expanded to include a refrigerator, a larger grill or even a pizza oven.
How to Choose the Right Size and Layout for Your Outdoor Kitchen
If effortless entertaining is the goal, an outdoor kitchen is a smart addition to a dining space. Natalia Avalos Interiors turned a neglected side yard in San Francisco into an inviting seating and dining area. A sturdy wood table and comfy dining chairs sit on stone paving beside a textured stone kitchen with a polished stone countertop. A dark wood fence behind it visually connects with the trees beyond.
Because the property has a more extensive outdoor kitchen in the main backyard, this one is equipped with just a Big Green Egg kamado grill, a sink and storage. The setup could easily be expanded to include a refrigerator, a larger grill or even a pizza oven.
How to Choose the Right Size and Layout for Your Outdoor Kitchen
7. Create a Magical Evening Glow
Keeping outdoor lighting soft and minimal is not only good for wildlife but also helps create an enchanting dining atmosphere. This Bay Area yard by Square 1 Homes shows how. Six discreet poles surrounding a chunky wood dining table and metal bistro chairs support string lights that cast a subtle twinkle after sunset.
Glass bell jars with pillar candles and lanterns line the center of the table, creating a soft glow at eye level among the surrounding foliage.
Keeping outdoor lighting soft and minimal is not only good for wildlife but also helps create an enchanting dining atmosphere. This Bay Area yard by Square 1 Homes shows how. Six discreet poles surrounding a chunky wood dining table and metal bistro chairs support string lights that cast a subtle twinkle after sunset.
Glass bell jars with pillar candles and lanterns line the center of the table, creating a soft glow at eye level among the surrounding foliage.
8. Build Flexibility With an Extendable Table
An extendable table makes entertaining more flexible, handling both large gatherings and intimate dinners with minimal fuss.
This Surrey, United Kingdom, space by Imago Garden Design features an elegant pale table with removable center section, surrounded by comfy chairs. Alongside, a bubbling Cor-Ten steel water feature adds relaxing sounds.
Warm LED strip lights under the outdoor kitchen deck on the left and the second step on the right, together with spotlights tucked among the plants, gently light the space into the evening.
An extendable table makes entertaining more flexible, handling both large gatherings and intimate dinners with minimal fuss.
This Surrey, United Kingdom, space by Imago Garden Design features an elegant pale table with removable center section, surrounded by comfy chairs. Alongside, a bubbling Cor-Ten steel water feature adds relaxing sounds.
Warm LED strip lights under the outdoor kitchen deck on the left and the second step on the right, together with spotlights tucked among the plants, gently light the space into the evening.
9. Plan for All-Weather Entertaining
When creating an outdoor dining space, plan it for as many seasons as possible by including ways to heat and cool it.
In this Woodbury, New York, project by Margali & Flynn Designs, fans and heaters suspended from the roof overhang help extend the dining season. An outdoor area rug adds comfort, feeling warm underfoot when the stone paving is cold and cool when the ground has been heated by the sun.
If you don’t have a patio roof, consider placing your table beneath a pergola that can be wired for similar accessories. Or train climbing plants to provide shade and add tabletop heaters for cooler days and nights.
When creating an outdoor dining space, plan it for as many seasons as possible by including ways to heat and cool it.
In this Woodbury, New York, project by Margali & Flynn Designs, fans and heaters suspended from the roof overhang help extend the dining season. An outdoor area rug adds comfort, feeling warm underfoot when the stone paving is cold and cool when the ground has been heated by the sun.
If you don’t have a patio roof, consider placing your table beneath a pergola that can be wired for similar accessories. Or train climbing plants to provide shade and add tabletop heaters for cooler days and nights.
10. Choose a Shelter for Year-Round Dining
For year-round outdoor dining, consider a fixed shelter like this one behind a Charlotte, North Carolina, home by Pike Properties. It can be enclosed when needed while remaining open to the breeze the rest of the time.
The space includes a dining area and a full outdoor kitchen with a sink, refrigerator and large grill. Cedar, stone and rattan blend with the leafy surroundings, while custom screens can be lowered to cover the openings when required.
For year-round outdoor dining, consider a fixed shelter like this one behind a Charlotte, North Carolina, home by Pike Properties. It can be enclosed when needed while remaining open to the breeze the rest of the time.
The space includes a dining area and a full outdoor kitchen with a sink, refrigerator and large grill. Cedar, stone and rattan blend with the leafy surroundings, while custom screens can be lowered to cover the openings when required.
11. Fashion a Leafy Haven
This small yard in Austin, Texas, by Cravotta Interiors shows how even a relatively small space can become a beautiful, highly functional dining spot.
The table sits amid lush plantings that blend with the surrounding landscape to create a sense of seclusion. An outdoor grill, pizza oven and prep area illuminated by a wall sconce mean the chef can be part of the gathering.
Elegant design details elevate the space, including the Knoll 1966 outdoor dining chairs by Richard Schultz and the pencil-thin pendant lights suspended above the table.
This small yard in Austin, Texas, by Cravotta Interiors shows how even a relatively small space can become a beautiful, highly functional dining spot.
The table sits amid lush plantings that blend with the surrounding landscape to create a sense of seclusion. An outdoor grill, pizza oven and prep area illuminated by a wall sconce mean the chef can be part of the gathering.
Elegant design details elevate the space, including the Knoll 1966 outdoor dining chairs by Richard Schultz and the pencil-thin pendant lights suspended above the table.
12. Be Ambitious With Outdoor Decor
An outdoor setting needn’t limit your decorative ambitions. This terrace attached to a Philadelphia townhouse remodeled by Eberlein Design Consultants has all the elegance of a 19th century dining room, with plank flooring, wood wall paneling and a mock-stone fireplace.
The moody, sophisticated palette of gray-green walls, a dark wood pergola, a bronzed metal table and deep brown chairs sets the tone. Texture appears throughout, including in the lattice tabletop, ribbed glass wall sconces and abundant tumbling ivy, which lends the space a timeless feel.
An outdoor setting needn’t limit your decorative ambitions. This terrace attached to a Philadelphia townhouse remodeled by Eberlein Design Consultants has all the elegance of a 19th century dining room, with plank flooring, wood wall paneling and a mock-stone fireplace.
The moody, sophisticated palette of gray-green walls, a dark wood pergola, a bronzed metal table and deep brown chairs sets the tone. Texture appears throughout, including in the lattice tabletop, ribbed glass wall sconces and abundant tumbling ivy, which lends the space a timeless feel.
13. Surround With Lush, Naturalistic Plantings
Wherever diners look in this Baltimore yard, they can enjoy relaxed perennials and swaying grasses that catch the light. Form Garden Design wove together lush planting pockets and paved gathering spaces to create an inviting setting for dining and chatting.
The large table made from rustic wood planks forms the centerpiece, while a brick-and-stone outdoor kitchen complements the natural style. A simple slatted wood pergola shades the chef, and strings of cafe lights gently illuminate the space after dark.
Wherever diners look in this Baltimore yard, they can enjoy relaxed perennials and swaying grasses that catch the light. Form Garden Design wove together lush planting pockets and paved gathering spaces to create an inviting setting for dining and chatting.
The large table made from rustic wood planks forms the centerpiece, while a brick-and-stone outdoor kitchen complements the natural style. A simple slatted wood pergola shades the chef, and strings of cafe lights gently illuminate the space after dark.
14. Include a Kitchen Pass-Through Window
A pass-through window to the kitchen turned this modest deck in Melbourne by Three Birds Renovations, with dining furniture by Satara Australia, into a versatile entertaining space. An existing opening was fitted with a gas-strut window that provides access to the sink, while a large grill allows for alfresco cooking.
Thoughtful details give the space a polished finish. Travertine tiles cap the end fence, while the bar shelf is made from durable but beautiful Esmeralda quartzite. Bronze gooseneck wall sconces flank the window, and charcoal millwork and walls create an elegant, color-drenched backdrop.
25 Inviting Pass-Through Kitchen Windows
A pass-through window to the kitchen turned this modest deck in Melbourne by Three Birds Renovations, with dining furniture by Satara Australia, into a versatile entertaining space. An existing opening was fitted with a gas-strut window that provides access to the sink, while a large grill allows for alfresco cooking.
Thoughtful details give the space a polished finish. Travertine tiles cap the end fence, while the bar shelf is made from durable but beautiful Esmeralda quartzite. Bronze gooseneck wall sconces flank the window, and charcoal millwork and walls create an elegant, color-drenched backdrop.
25 Inviting Pass-Through Kitchen Windows
15. Conjure a Little Romance
The outdoor dining space at this Barcelona farmhouse is a masterclass in rustic Mediterranean style. Nude Interior built a rush-roofed shelter that diffuses the light while letting a welcome breeze pass through, then added bamboo roll-up shades for extra sun protection when needed.
Soft off-white walls keep the surrounding buildings bright, while a wood table paired with cafe chairs and dressed in a simple white cotton tablecloth embodies timeless rustic charm.
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The outdoor dining space at this Barcelona farmhouse is a masterclass in rustic Mediterranean style. Nude Interior built a rush-roofed shelter that diffuses the light while letting a welcome breeze pass through, then added bamboo roll-up shades for extra sun protection when needed.
Soft off-white walls keep the surrounding buildings bright, while a wood table paired with cafe chairs and dressed in a simple white cotton tablecloth embodies timeless rustic charm.
More on Houzz
Read more landscape stories
Browse outdoor photos for ideas
Find design and remodeling pros
Oversize wicker pendant lights add a playful feel to this patio dining area by Pure Salt Interiors in Orange County, California.
Hung at varying heights, the shades add daytime drama while casting a soft glow after dark. Their woven texture is echoed in the chairs and drinking glass holders, while the natural finish complements the warm neutral palette.
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