Dining outdoors is one of the joys of the season we’re in. Maybe it’s a quiet meal on your own. Maybe it’s burgers with the family. Or maybe it’s a small gathering to celebrate a special occasion. However you plan to enjoy your outdoor meal, here we share a few tips to help make the most of this patio season.
Consider the Seating
A variety of table styles and seating arrangements provide opportunities to customize your patio space and allow you and your guests to settle comfortably into your time together. For casual, intimate meals, you might choose a table that’s chat height – perfect to mix in with your lounge seating in groups of two or three. If your space is limited, a bar-height table creates a place to dine within a smaller footprint and provide more comfortable seating than a bistro table. A bar-height table also gives you the creative ability to mix complementary heights and style among your seating areas – so everyone can find the space they’re most comfortable with. And the elevated arrangement can give you and your guest a commanding view of your lovely landscaping too – especially from a high deck.
Or for a more traditional meal, you might choose a standard height table with four to eight settings – just right for a family to enjoy supper together. For even more flexibility, consider using a table that can be extended too.
Set the Table
Once the places are decided, it’s time to set the table. Eating outdoors does have its little challenges. But with the right breeze-proof linens and lovely yet practical serving pieces added in layer by layer, there’s nothing left to think about but relaxing and having fun.
Keep it Comfortable
We can dine on the patio at all times of the day – in the morning’s opening light, in the fresh air and sun of midday, and in the soft warmth of the evening – and it’s a good idea to think about ways to ensure everyone’s comfort while you’re together.
If it’s a daytime meal, use an umbrella to provide cooling shade. An adjustable design can hit just the right angle to block the brightest rays.
And as the sun sets, some added light is just the thing to extend the evening’s enjoyment. The warmth and flame of a beautiful firepit is the perfect centerpiece for gathering and conversation. With so many heights and styles to choose from – including bar tables and cocktail-height firepits – there’s an option for any setting on your patio.
Of course, candlelight also adds to the relaxing environment with its flickering flame and the added fragrance it sends floating across the patio. A few open, wicker lanterns set on the table or around the patio can provide that intimate evening ambiance without feeling so heavy. If you’d like, mix in a glass hurricane lantern or two to add even more sparkle to the dancing light. For that last detail to tie everything together, choose a scented candle that will up the level of comfort. We love ‘Greenhouse’, the collaboration candle made just for us by our friends at Wax Buffalo, with its notes of lavender, cypress, and lemongrass.
And if unwanted insects show up to spoil your fun, try lighting a fragrant citronella coil nearby. A large coil can hang from a nearby tree or shepherd’s hook while a smaller version can sit on the table with its own stand. A citronella candle or two is a great way to keep those bugs at a distance too.
Let’s Gather Outside
With the warm weather comes the opportunity to get outside and enjoy life’s moments out in the fresh air. If the thought of long, leisurely meals on the patio sounds inviting – or if you’re looking for more ideas to create a relaxing backyard getaway this summer – come visit with our team. We’d love to help you put together the perfect setting for a relaxing time on the patio.
