9 Dreamy Decks for Dining Alfresco

Check out these design ideas from around the world that encourage savoring meals outside

Lauren Dunec Hoang June 19, 2019

Houzz Contributor. Landscape designer, a former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset's Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.

Houzz Contributor. Landscape designer, a former garden editor for Sunset Magazine... More

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When the weather’s right, there’s nothing like a leisurely meal enjoyed under the open sky, with soft breezes wafting through and views of the garden or — if you’re lucky — a lake or seashore. As we move into prime outdoor entertaining season, it’s time to make the most of it with plenty of outdoor dining. Take a look at these nine appealing decks set up for alfresco eating — they may inspire your own outdoor design.

Suburban Renewal Inc

Suburban Renewal

1. Seaside View in Providence, Rhode Island

Now that’s an outdoor room with a view. An expansive deck wraps around the waterfront side of this Providence home, providing ample space for kicking back, taking in the sun and watching someone flip burgers on the outdoor grill.

The dining table, positioned right up against the unobtrusive cable railing, offers perhaps the best water views and is just steps away from the grill for easy fire-to-table service.

Designworx New Zealand

Designworx New Zealand

2. Indoor-Outdoor Space in New Zealand

A streamlined pergola extends from the home’s roof to enclose this indoor-outdoor dining room on New Zealand’s North Island. With the large sliding glass doors open and the curtains pushed aside, the home’s interior and outdoor deck flow together nearly seamlessly.

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Mom's Design Build

3. Lakeside Perch Near Minneapolis

There’s more than what meets the eye with this elevated deck on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, in Minnesota. All sides of the deck, designed by Sharratt Design & Co. and Karie Zemlicka from Mom’s Design Build, can be screened in with the touch of a button, thanks to integrated retractable screens by Phantom Screens. This option ensures that summer dinners can be enjoyed bug-free.

Mom's Design Build

Screens from the same company also stretch across the ceiling to fully enclose the space. To protect against rain, the aluminum ceiling louvers can be closed electronically. The outdoor teak dining table can be extended, with the help of a hidden leaf, to seat up to 10 people — perfect for having impromptu dinner parties or hosting unexpected guests.

Villa and Villa

4. Texture on Texture in Sydney

A neutral color palette enables the rich textures of this seaside outdoor dining space by Villa and Villa to shine. The designers paired wooden elements — decking, chunky stools and a rustic shade structure — with smooth stucco and concrete for a design that is nicely balanced through contrast. Soft cushions invite one to pull up a seat and watch wood-fired pizzas sizzle in the outdoor oven.

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Acre

5. Cool and Contemporary Deck in Melbourne, Australia

Clean lines and crisp edges dominate this design by the architects at Acre. The outdoor kitchen and dining area complement the home’s contemporary architecture and incorporate the warm wood and black accents used inside the house. A narrow bar with two chairs along the grill adds seating and offers a place to rest a glass of wine or prep dishes for the barbecue.

B. Jane Gardens

6. Easy Living in Austin, Texas

One could imagine heading straight from the pool to the dinner table in this backyard. Designed by B. Jane Gardens, it features multiple areas for different purposes, including a lounge area on the other side of the pool, another terrace with a small cafe table, and the largest deck, seen here, for outdoor cooking and dining.

B. Jane Gardens

A close-up of the outdoor kitchen shows how the grill is built into the wall, tucked neatly under an awning for shade or to protect it from rain. The space beneath the custom concrete countertop provides room for stacking wood.

See thousands of outdoor kitchen ideas

AT6 Architecture : Design Build

AT6 Architecture : Design Build

7. Shady Spot in Northern California

This dining deck in Alameda, California, sits a few steps up from the garden and a few steps down from the back door of the home, effectively splitting the grade change to create a bonus room.

AT6 Architecture : Design Build

Generously proportioned built-in bench seats anchor an outdoor table and chairs while keeping the center of the deck clear as a passage from home to garden.

Debra Ackerbloom Interiors, LLC

8. Dining Porch in Florida

Debra Ackerbloom Interiors transformed a simple porch off the back of a house in Tampa, Florida, into an outdoor cooking and dining area. The new outdoor kitchen — complete with grill, sink, fridge and encaustic tile backsplash — brings the action outside. Hot dishes can be easily served up on the adjacent dining table, which overlooks the backyard and pool.

Browse cement tile

Clear Images Home

9. Leafy Views in Los Angeles

We’d be happy to park ourselves on this deck for the rest of the summer, like this pooch has. This Southern California home overlooks a slope, with the deck sheltered by a mature oak tree that offers dappled shade. The outdoor room, designed by Stephanie Laney of Clear Images Home, features a tiled bar and an outdoor kitchen as well as a dining table for six, plus an outdoor lounge in another section (not seen).

More on Houzz
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Discover more ways to work a deck into your yard
Work with a landscape contractor in your area
Shop for outdoor dining sets