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Alfresco Dining Tips for Small Outdoor Spaces
Don't let your pint-sized outdoor area get in the way of a fantastic summer get together
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Even if your outdoor space is tiny, it’s easy to make the most of your garden this summer by creating an area to enjoy a meal or drinks with friends. Check out these tips and tricks from the outdoor living experts at John Lewis, to help you choose furniture and tableware wisely and arrange it to fit perfectly in your small garden.
Tuck in a Table
A tiny garden shouldn’t stop you enjoying the outdoors. The key is to choose furniture that fits into the space. Opt for a smaller table rather than a large one, and go for armchairs rather than large L-shaped sofas.
The trick is to create a dedicated alfresco “zone” that the eye is drawn to. “I would suggest a bistro set in a bright colour along with a smaller BBQ to create a relaxed dining area,” says Vicky Angell, outdoor living buyer for John Lewis. “Grills come in a range of sizes – you could even choose a low brazier that can double up as a warming fire pit in the evening,” she says.
Move on to the grass. Don’t feel that you have to put your dining area on a hard surface, it’s fine to use the lawn too. The trick here is to opt for a table that can be moved to avoid creating yellow patches where the sun hasn’t reached the grass. This bistro table is perfect, as it can be picked up and folded away when you’re not using it.
A tiny garden shouldn’t stop you enjoying the outdoors. The key is to choose furniture that fits into the space. Opt for a smaller table rather than a large one, and go for armchairs rather than large L-shaped sofas.
The trick is to create a dedicated alfresco “zone” that the eye is drawn to. “I would suggest a bistro set in a bright colour along with a smaller BBQ to create a relaxed dining area,” says Vicky Angell, outdoor living buyer for John Lewis. “Grills come in a range of sizes – you could even choose a low brazier that can double up as a warming fire pit in the evening,” she says.
Move on to the grass. Don’t feel that you have to put your dining area on a hard surface, it’s fine to use the lawn too. The trick here is to opt for a table that can be moved to avoid creating yellow patches where the sun hasn’t reached the grass. This bistro table is perfect, as it can be picked up and folded away when you’re not using it.
Play the Long Game
If you want your party to go on into the evening, comfort is key to keep your guests relaxed. Drape some blankets over your seats for guests to wrap up in when the temperature drops, and perhaps invest in some patio heating to keep things really cosy.
Don’t forget lighting for when the sun goes down. As well as a mains-powered patio light, you can also pop some solar lamps in the flower borders, hang up fairy lights, and dot battery-powered candles around the seating area.
Keep it cosy. To create an intimate space for the evening, think about adding some vertical planting. Grow climbing plants up the walls and fences to cocoon the area and perhaps provide some evening fragrance.
If you want your party to go on into the evening, comfort is key to keep your guests relaxed. Drape some blankets over your seats for guests to wrap up in when the temperature drops, and perhaps invest in some patio heating to keep things really cosy.
Don’t forget lighting for when the sun goes down. As well as a mains-powered patio light, you can also pop some solar lamps in the flower borders, hang up fairy lights, and dot battery-powered candles around the seating area.
Keep it cosy. To create an intimate space for the evening, think about adding some vertical planting. Grow climbing plants up the walls and fences to cocoon the area and perhaps provide some evening fragrance.
Make Your Table Centre Stage
Even if your table is tiny, you can still create a great table setting. Choose tableware that fits the size of your surface, so opt for smaller plates rather than large platters, and squat wine glasses rather than tall varieties that you could knock over.
Your tableware will set the scene and make an event of even the smallest gathering. There are so many ranges of summery tableware around, so it’s easy to choose one to match your style – go for breezy coastal style, or bright zingy tones for a fiesta feel. Don’t forget a couple of decanters, or jugs for water, such as the tall bottles on this table.
Stock the bar. To add some fun to your outdoor party, consider having a cocktail menu written on a chalkboard, and invest in a bar cart to keep the drinks stowed nearby. A trolley is a brilliantly versatile piece of kit for your outdoor space as it can work as a micro-kitchen, handy transportation for plates and food from inside, or even a display surface for themed ornaments.
Even if your table is tiny, you can still create a great table setting. Choose tableware that fits the size of your surface, so opt for smaller plates rather than large platters, and squat wine glasses rather than tall varieties that you could knock over.
Your tableware will set the scene and make an event of even the smallest gathering. There are so many ranges of summery tableware around, so it’s easy to choose one to match your style – go for breezy coastal style, or bright zingy tones for a fiesta feel. Don’t forget a couple of decanters, or jugs for water, such as the tall bottles on this table.
Stock the bar. To add some fun to your outdoor party, consider having a cocktail menu written on a chalkboard, and invest in a bar cart to keep the drinks stowed nearby. A trolley is a brilliantly versatile piece of kit for your outdoor space as it can work as a micro-kitchen, handy transportation for plates and food from inside, or even a display surface for themed ornaments.
Be Clever With Furniture
Want to fit a table into a tight spot? A round table could be the answer. The wicker one here slots neatly into the small square patio, and provides plenty of room for six comfortable chairs. The beauty of curved furniture is its ability to offer a feeling of flow in the space, as it’s easy to walk around it without the possibility of bumping into sharp corners.
Think also about other smart options – buy folding chairs that can be stored away when you’re not using them, and look out for multipurpose tables that contain storage below the surface.
Spend wisely. “The biggest investment you will make in your garden is in the furniture, so really carefully consider what you want to get from your garden before you buy,” says Angell. Assess the size carefully and ask yourself how you want to use the space – for lounging or for dining, for example. Also consider the winter months, says Angell, if you’re going to bring furniture inside, can you accommodate the pieces you’re planning to buy inside your home or storage spaces?
Want to fit a table into a tight spot? A round table could be the answer. The wicker one here slots neatly into the small square patio, and provides plenty of room for six comfortable chairs. The beauty of curved furniture is its ability to offer a feeling of flow in the space, as it’s easy to walk around it without the possibility of bumping into sharp corners.
Think also about other smart options – buy folding chairs that can be stored away when you’re not using them, and look out for multipurpose tables that contain storage below the surface.
Spend wisely. “The biggest investment you will make in your garden is in the furniture, so really carefully consider what you want to get from your garden before you buy,” says Angell. Assess the size carefully and ask yourself how you want to use the space – for lounging or for dining, for example. Also consider the winter months, says Angell, if you’re going to bring furniture inside, can you accommodate the pieces you’re planning to buy inside your home or storage spaces?
Think Outside the Square
If you’ve run out of space on your small rear terrace, look around for any other unused areas of the garden. A side return, for instance, might seem too narrow at first glance, but a touch of smart space planning could work wonders. Rather than grouping a seating area around the coffee table, you could position the rectangular surface to the side as they’ve done here.
Alternatively, pop a love seat in a corner of the garden with its own small table surface, or place a footstool in front of an armchair to double up as a table.
Put up a screen. By creating different zones within your garden you can really maximise the space available to you. Rather than fitting everything into one space, arrange your furniture into smaller groups around your outdoor space. To divide up the area, try screening with fence panels, growing a climbing plant up a trellis, or even using large plants in pots to shield each zone.
If you’ve run out of space on your small rear terrace, look around for any other unused areas of the garden. A side return, for instance, might seem too narrow at first glance, but a touch of smart space planning could work wonders. Rather than grouping a seating area around the coffee table, you could position the rectangular surface to the side as they’ve done here.
Alternatively, pop a love seat in a corner of the garden with its own small table surface, or place a footstool in front of an armchair to double up as a table.
Put up a screen. By creating different zones within your garden you can really maximise the space available to you. Rather than fitting everything into one space, arrange your furniture into smaller groups around your outdoor space. To divide up the area, try screening with fence panels, growing a climbing plant up a trellis, or even using large plants in pots to shield each zone.
Create a Portable Dining Area
Got no outside space at all? Then your options are endless. Invest in a well-stocked picnic hamper and take your alfresco eating to the park, beach or nearby forest. You’ll need a sizeable, comfortable blanket and plenty of kit to make it a special event.
Think of your picnic equipment as you would your kitchen gear, and ensure you have everything you need, including water bottles, chopping boards, napkins and plenty of bowls and plates. A fully stocked picnic kit might even inspire you to try something different from the usual picnic fare of sandwiches and pork pies.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Got no outside space at all? Then your options are endless. Invest in a well-stocked picnic hamper and take your alfresco eating to the park, beach or nearby forest. You’ll need a sizeable, comfortable blanket and plenty of kit to make it a special event.
Think of your picnic equipment as you would your kitchen gear, and ensure you have everything you need, including water bottles, chopping boards, napkins and plenty of bowls and plates. A fully stocked picnic kit might even inspire you to try something different from the usual picnic fare of sandwiches and pork pies.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
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Whilst a good idea, it does presuppose that the space under your bed is not already crammed with spare bedding, clothes, shoes or even books though! A quick read of other threads on Houzz would indicate that plenty of people don't have so much as a centimetre to spare under there :D
We have a wheelie bin that we store garden cushions and blankets in, kept everything good for the last three years.
I absolutely agree - you can squeeze a lot into a small space when it comes to outside entertaining. And it can still feel like a garden.
In 2014 I exhibited a small show garden at the RHS Hampton Court Show that included a table to seat 6-8 people, a gas BBQ, a water feature and a wood burning stove for when the summer evenings get chilly. These were surrounded by raised rendered beds that gave a multitude of colour as well as herbs to cook with.