Warmer weather means spending more time outdoors, whenever you can. Embrace the last few weeks of summer and dine alfresco style!
Alfresco dining is a favourite Aussie pastime and with good reason. Whether it’s a casual barbeque with friends, a family gathering or a romantic dinner, alfresco dining is a wonderful way to relax and recharge outdoors with your loved ones. Make the most of your backyard with our tips on creating the perfect alfresco dining spot.
What is Alfresco Dining?
Simply put, alfresco dining is dining outdoors. Whether you’re dining in your backyard or at a picnic in the park, alfresco dining is one of the best ways to welcome in the warmer months–and with outdoor fireplaces, fire pits and outdoor heaters, you can dine alfresco any time of year.
From creating ambience to practical tips, we’ve got alfresco dining area ideas for you can use to create the ideal spot.
Pick Your Spot
First up, you’ll need to pick a spot! Determine the size of your space and choose a flat, spacious spot for your alfresco dining spot. Consider how much space you have and what you’d like to do with your alfresco dining spot. Are you hoping to dine outside most nights of the week with your family, or planning to host gatherings in your backyard? No matter how big or small your outdoor area is, you can create a lovely alfresco dining area.
Find a spot in your garden that is convenient and practical. The closer to your home the better. Look for optimal shade, steady ground and electrical powerpoints (you’ll need these for lighting).
Choose a Theme: Consider the style and vibe you want to create for your alfresco dining area and choose alfresco dining furniture and decor that complements it. From rustic, traditional and Medittaranien to island living, coastal chic and bohemian, you can pick any theme that you’re drawn to when it comes to alfresco dining.
Colour Scheme: Choose a colour palette you love with your theme in mind, or decide based on the seasons. For instance, will you be dining in spring? If so, go for a spring colour palette, full of bright poppy red, tangerine orange, daffodil orange and grass green. For an autumn palette, opt for more earthy tones like olive green, pumpkin and rust. Tropical-themed alfresco dining areas should be full of bright green, yellow and blue. colours. For a coastal spin, decorate with white and blue, or go for minimalism with neutral tones.
Tip: If you don’t want to buy and install shelter, find a shady spot to dine under.
Collaborate with the Indoors
Your outdoor alfresco dining spot should feel like a part of your home, so create a seamless flow between the indoors and outdoors. Keep your dining space close to your home–you don’t want to walk a long way to get to the kitchen or bathroom!
Choose Your Furniture
There are a few things to consider when choosing your alfresco dining furniture. Firstly, decide on a style you like and how it fits with your theme. Think of the size you’re after–do you plan on hosting big barbecues and Christmas lunch or a low-key Sunday dinner with your family? If it’s the latter, there’s no need to go for a 13 piece dining set. Go for a 4-seater if you have a small yard or an alfresco 6 piece dining set if you plan on hosting guests.
Compact & portable seating: If your yard is on the smaller side, go for lightweight, compact and foldable seating that is easy to move around and store away. If you want outdoor furniture that is adaptable and versatile, opt for individual dining chairs over bench seats.
Dining sets:
Choose an alfresco dining set that is both comfortable, style and fits your space. Before you decide on your dining set, make sure you consider if it’s made for the outdoors. Opt for weather-resistant furniture made of materials like teak, iron or aluminium, since furniture made of these materials can withstand harsh weather.
Comfortable, low-key seating: Create the perfect spot to lounge for wine o’clock or cocktail hour! To go along with your alfresco dining set, provide plenty of comfortable seating like cushioned wicker chairs and outdoor bean bags to relax on. If you have an outdoor bench dining set, move your benches and pop some cushions on them. Set up a coffee table, a couple of blankets and an outdoor rug and you’ll have the perfect spot for those late-night conversations.
Tip: Pair your outdoor furniture with your indoor interior style. If you have a traditional-style home, consider choosing a simple wooden alfresco dining set. If your home is influenced by Scandinavian style, consider choosing a simplistic, light wood alfresco dining set that complements your home.
Dress Up Your Table
Enhance your alfresco dining area with plenty of table decor. From table runners and placemats to centrepieces, a well-set table is essential to a relaxing alfresco style dining experience.
Dinnerware: You probably won’t want to use your indoor tableware outdoors so invest in tableware for your alfresco dining spot. Look for tablecloths, bowls and plates, glasses and cutlery that complement your theme and colour scheme. Make sure your dinnerware is durable and can withstand potential wear and tear from the outdoors.
Foliage: Your garden is full of treasures you can use to dress up your table! Enhance the beauty of your yard by picking flowers and foliage from your garden and popping them in a vase for the table.
Candlelight: From tealight candles to taper candles, dining by candlelight helps set the right mood.
Tip: Avoid scented candles if you’re serving up a feast.
Tabletop Decor: Although you will need to keep decor to a minimum so you have room for meals, a little table decor goes a long way. Choose a centrepiece that brings the whole table together, like a gorgeous vase with flowers from the garden.
Consider the Weather
The weather can be pretty unpredictable, but don’t let this stop you from dining outdoors! Adequate protection from the sun, wind, and rain is essential, and with the right equipment, you can dine alfresco style all year round.
Heating: Outdoor heaters are the real heroes of winter. Set up an outdoor heater during the colder months and keep cosy no matter the time of year. For extra cosy vibes, go for a firepit!
Cover: Your alfresco dining area will need adequate shelter. From outdoor blinds to a gazebo or pergola to an outdoor patio umbrella, make sure you have shade from the sun and shelter from the rain when dining outdoors.
Set the Mood with Outdoor Lighting
From hanging fairy lights to outdoor spotlights, outdoor lighting will help you set the right mood for your alfresco dining spot. Not only will outdoor lights create ambience, but adequate lighting ensures your guests can see what they’re eating! Add a festive and romantic touch to your space by hanging up outdoor string lights, festoon lights or lanterns, wherever you can.
Take the Cooking Outdoors
Alfresco style dining doesn’t mean your cooking needs to be confined to the outdoors, but it will certainly add to the atmosphere! Fire up a barbecue or pizza oven and enjoy your meal outdoors.
