On a sunny day I can't think of many things I love more than taking the opportunity to indulge in a little alfresco dining, be that a quick working lunch for one or a get-together with friends. That said, much of the enjoyment of eating outdoors is hinged on the setting – and my own outdoor dining area is seriously lacking.
While the concept of sitting down to enjoy meals in the garden might be a nice one, the reality does not always match the dream. Without the right patio design ideas or proper set-up all kinds of things can spoil the experience, from nosey neighbours to wobbly tables and chairs.
I am desperate to squeeze the most out of summer this year, and have decided it's time for me to create the perfect outdoor dining area. I reached out to some top garden and landscaping experts for their help and they took me through the 7 key elements for creating the ideal space.
1. Get your sizes spot on for a comfortable experience
While I wouldn't say my patio is small, I am considering expanding it a little in a bid to make it feel a little less cramped when there are lots of people around the table. The experts explained to me that, while you shouldn't let a small patio put you off creating a space to eat outdoors, it does pay to think about how comfortable an overly-cramped dining space will be to eat in.
Garden design and consultation specialist Jamie Haire explains that it is wise to first think about how many people you need to seat and the size of your table. "I recently designed a space to take a table measuring 2m x 1m and made the patio 3m x 4m – that allowed plenty of space for people to move around."
"It's best to allow at least one metre clearance around the table on all sides for chairs and movement," adds Mirela Bajic, senior garden designer at House Designer.
For over two decades, Jamie has crafted some of the most breathtaking and luxurious outdoor spaces, blending artistry with horticultural expertise. His creations are not just gardens; they are immersive experiences that capture the essence of nature’s beauty and the homeowner’s vision. Every project, whether a serene private retreat or an expansive estate garden, has been a testament to his meticulous attention to detail and unparalleled craftsmanship. Now, in an exciting new chapter, he is channeling his vast knowledge and creative genius exclusively into garden design and consultation services.
Mirela Bajic is a Senior Garden Designer at House Designer, with formal horticultural training including RHS Level 2 qualifications and further advanced studies in garden design and horticulture. She works with homeowners across the UK, creating planting-led gardens that balance beauty, functionality and sustainability. With a particular passion for biodiversity, wildlife-friendly planting and environmentally conscious design, Mirela enjoys helping clients create outdoor spaces that feel connected to nature while remaining practical for everyday living. Her expertise spans planting design, garden layouts, seasonal planting, outdoor living spaces and sustainable landscaping.
2. Straight lines tend to work better than curved
This is one area I appear to have got right. While curves and circular areas of planting can contribute to some beautiful garden landscaping ideas, according to the experts I spoke to, when it comes to dining areas, straight lines tend to make better use of space.
"Everyone likes curves, but for dining outside, they just don't work that well," says Jamie Haire. "When you create a rectangular or square space you get more bang for your buck – and then you can use lots of planting surrounding the space to soften the whole look and create a connection with nature."
Mirela Bajic agrees agrees that linear spaces are the way to go and suggests using your table shape as a guide. "Matching the shape of the patio to the shape of the table is great for aesthetics. Circular looks beautiful but wastes usable space around the edges."
3. Choose ground surfaces with care
Perhaps one of the most important elements of outdoor dining area design is the garden paving ideas you go with – your choice will not only have a massive effect on the look of the space but also on how well it performs, both now, and over time. My own patio has sandstone slabs which actually work well – although they require regular cleaning to stay looking good.
"My favourites are limestone or another form of natural stone – as well as York stone," reveals Jamie Haire. "New York stone works particularly well as it is calibrated and gives an even, smooth surface. Make sure you lay paving with tight joints so that chair legs don't get stuck in them.
"Natural stone can stain if grease gets on it so it must be properly sealed – and choose a slightly etched finish to make sure it doesn't get slippery in the wet," he adds, going on to explain that some newer kinds of decking can also be a great option.
"Composite decking is a good option, or oak setts. Allgreen charred oak setts can be used to create a pad of paving than works brilliantly under furniture," Jamie suggests.
While Jamie's preference is for natural materials, Mirela Bajic points out that porcelain is a great low-maintenance alternative. "Porcelain is the easiest to maintain, does not stain, does not need sealing and cleans with a hose. It's always popular with our clients," she notes.
4. Your lighting will make or break the scheme
This is one area where my outdoor dining space really falls flat. It is lit by two wall lights on the outside of the house. A more thoughtful approach would really transform it.
"Garden lighting is my favourite part of designing an outdoor dining area," says Jamie Haire. "Set all your lighting on dimmers so you can change the ambience – light up surrounding trees, use downlighters in your pergola and consider an outdoor chandelier over your table."
Alina Enache, co-founder of Lamp Genius, also suggests using multiple light sources for the best effect. "For dining areas, I recommend a few different layers of lighting – either solar or using your mains supply.
"First, use portable outdoor table and floor lamps for surrounding tables and sofas," continues Alina. "If the area is next to a wall, you can utilise this by adding exterior wall lights such as an up-and-down wall washer, which provides a nice ambient light for the area. Post or bollard lights are great for surrounding the dining area or lighting a pathway leading up to it," she suggests.
"Finally, string lights are perfect for hanging over the entire area, but try to choose styles which are not overpowering in terms of light output, as you want to create a balance between the other lights in the space. I always recommend using a warm white colour temperature for outdoor dining areas (2700k)."
Shop garden lighting
The beauty of this stylish patio pendant light is that, being rechargeable and cordless, it can be hung wherever needed. It takes five hours to fully charge, after which it will illuminate your dining area for 12 hours at full brightness.
Thanks to its antique gold finish, this outdoor wall light will bring lots of character to your dining space. It is IP44 rated and also comes in an antique bronze finish – perfect for fitting to a pergola or the wall of a house where it'll lend a cosy glow.
No outdoor dining area is quite complete without a string of festoon lights – perfect for bringing on the party vibes, no matter whether you are having a quiet night or a buzzing barbeque. These are heavy duty and mains powered so won't fade as the night goes on.
Alina is the co-founder of Lamp Genius, a registered architect, and a project design coordinator.
5. Shading is non-negotiable
For your dining space to be a pleasure to spend time in, even in the middle of a hot day, you need to think of a few patio cover ideas that could work – this is something I am keen to address as ours currently has none. Choose wisely and your shading can also double up as a rain cover.
"No-one wants to be eating in the full glare of the sun," picks up Jamie Haire. "I always include some form of shading in my designs. Louvred pergolas with slats that can open and close work really well, as do retractable canopies."
Mirela Bajic also highlights the importance of thinking about the orientation of your dining area when considering shading methods. "South or south-west facing spaces catch the sun in the afternoon and evening, which is when most people dine outdoors. Either a fixed pergola or even a large umbrella will help to manage shade on hot days."
Shop patio shading
This robust metal pergola comes complete with a water-resistant canopy that can be retracted using the cable pull. It is designed to be screwed into the ground and means you can enjoy dining even when the weather isn't playing ball.
Perfect for dining patios that are on the smaller side, or perhaps balconies, this neat grey parasol is designed to sit flush against a wall. The pulley cord makes it easy to operate and the grey shouldn't fade thanks to a UV coating.
Measuring 3m x 2.5m, this retractable awning is operated manually and is perfect for providing cover from the sun while dining. It also happens to be waterproof and will work well to protect furniture from UV damage.
6. Outdoor dining areas can be set away from the house
My patio is set next to the kitchen wall and this does come in handy when it comes to passing cutlery and dishes out of the kitchen window, but these days, there is no need for an outdoor dining space to always be in such close proximity to the house.
According to Jamie Haire, it all depends on the garden and house in question. "Some people, with open plan kitchens and large glazed openings, want their dining space to lead directly off from this. However, I prefer it when the dining area is pushed back a little with planting to separate it from the house. It is nice to take a journey through the 'rooms' of the garden to get there – although you need to make sure to create a clear pathway," he advises.
"The rise of the outdoor kitchen has also made it less important for outdoor dining areas to be next to the house," adds Jamie. "Most of my clients these days ask for a gas connection to outside so they can cook out there."
7. Design features to create a sense of seclusion
Finally, once you have gone to all the trouble of creating your dream dining space in your garden, the last thing you want is for it to feel overlooked. Tall hedging means this isn't a problem for me, but, with neighbours on both sides, I still feel a little conscious of being eavesdropped on when eating outside. This is why it is so important to design in some patio privacy ideas.
"Carefully positioned trees are the best way to provide privacy around a dining space," says Jamie Haire. "Choose multi-stemmed varieties and combine them with dense shrubs and planting. It is also a good idea to keep your dining area away from any boundaries between you and your neighbours. You can use your privacy measures, be that planting or a pergola, to form your views from the space."
And Jamie has a great way of heightening the sense of seclusion using sound too. "Adding in a water feature creates a calming kind of white noise so you don't feel you are being listened in on."
FAQs
Should you ever put an outdoor dining space on grass?
We all love a picnic and the feeling of grass underfoot, but a dining area on grass? Is it ever a good idea – even if you are after cottage garden patio ideas?
"No," states Jamie. "Firstly think how tricky it'll be to mow around. Secondly, the ground will be soft and full of moisture after it rains.
"I would, however, consider gravel," continues Jamie. "You can get self-binding gravel – such as this Somerset Buff Selfbinda from Allgreen – that compacts itself over time and sets hard."
How do you keep bugs from spoiling your al fresco meals?
My daughter is a total bug hater, meaning most outdoor meals are frequently disturbed by lots of squealing and arm waving. I asked Jamie Haire whether there was a way of designing a bug-free dining space.
"In short, no," says Jamie. "You want to encourage creatures into your garden. Of course, you can use citronella candles and sprays, but really it is a case of just using measures like cloches over food. It is all part of the experience."
Torn between patio or decking for your outdoor dining space? Both can work really well but be sure to look into all their pros and cons before making your final decision. And, if you're creating a new patio especially for dining, be sure to avoid these common patio mistakes.
