Dining outdoors, especially with friends and family, can be a memorable and cherished experience, especially for those who are culinary enthusiasts, which is why a number of residents seek to create the ideal environment for sharing food with others in their very own garden. Whether sharing a picnic on a warm afternoon or dining under the stars across a long evening, it remains a primary influencer of garden design for many.
While many residents can picture themselves enjoying a garden dining experience, many fall into early pitfalls, common and easily avoidable mistakes that ultimately prevent eating outdoors from being a positive endeavour. Often these mistakes can be as simple as not having the right furniture or failing to accommodate for weather changes. To help you avoid such issues, we’re laying them out.
A Table For All Seasons
Homeowners can be inclined to accept that their garden dining regime is at the behest of the weather. While this may be the case with certain extreme forecasts, there are a number of ways in which a garden can be designed to ensure it stands up to shifts in climate.
Winds can be mitigated with bushes, trees, and fences, each of which will prevent your food from flying away should a sudden gale arise. Warmth can also be an issue, especially in the evenings, but this too can easily be accommodated for. Some have the preference of installing a heat lamp, one that can be quickly switched on should the temperature drop, warming the entire table, while others will simply keep a few wool blankets at hand, allowing their guests to cosy up for an intimate experience.
Set The Scene
Few would be drawn to dine outside if the setting is to be empty concrete and a forgotten, rusty grill. As with any restaurant experience, much of the joy comes from the environment, which is why the scene you set is crucial.
Dining settings are remarkably versatile and have the potential to take place upon rustic furniture, inside garden log cabins, or even among displays of stunning flora. Water features can be great focal points too. When these assets are coupled with exterior decorations, such as candles, tablecloths, and cushions, you and your guests will find dining outdoors a must.
Integrate Nature
Dining outdoors doesn’t simply need to be about bringing your food outside. There is so much potential to enrich your dining experience beyond what can be offered indoors. One example is by eating among the ingredients you are eating, plucking herbs and flowers directly from the bush to liven up a plate.
Others will take their culinary pursuits further and build features such as wood-burning stoves and meat smokers in their gardens, offering a true foodie experience alongside the dishes served, creating meals through natural processes, with raw materials and wild ingredients. These experiences can be invaluable for both one’s own development as a chef and the shared experience of friends and family.
