HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
HomeBeautiful
  • Open Homes
  • Bathroom
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor
  • Decorate
  • Hamptons
  • Podcasts
  • Beach House
  • hacks
Subscribe
Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

Before and after: Increase your street appeal

Before and after: Increase your street appeal

How to declutter your garden in 5 easy steps

How to declutter your garden in 5 easy steps

6 simple Christmas decorating ideas

6 simple Christmas decorating ideas

{headline}

{headline}

Small space hack: 10 ideas to rediscover your balcony

Small space hack: 10 ideas to rediscover your balcony

8 amazing ideas to get your outdoor space ready for the festive season

8 amazing ideas to get your outdoor space ready for the festive season

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

{headline}

{headline}

5 tips to make your outdoor space even more inviting

5 tips to make your outdoor space even more inviting

These stunning outdoor decks will make you want to re-style your own

These stunning outdoor decks will make you want to re-style your own

Our top 7 picks from Aldi's new special buys range

Our top 7 picks from Aldi's new special buys range

How to paint terracotta pots

How to paint terracotta pots

The 10 best outdoor furniture buys from Kmart

The 10 best outdoor furniture buys from Kmart

3 ways to nail that outside-in vibe at home

3 ways to nail that outside-in vibe at home

2 simple and stylish outdoor hacks to try this weekend

2 simple and stylish outdoor hacks to try this weekend

  1. Home
  2. Outdoor

7 stylish outdoor dining settings

Choosing furniture that can handle the elements doesn't mean sacrificing style - by Home Beautiful
  • 05 Oct 2017
7 stylish outdoor dining settings
Derek Swalwell

The best gardens feel like a sanctuary, a place to rest, recharge and spend time with family and friends. The key to getting it right? Furniture.

"Dining and lounging areas within a garden need to be integrated into the design at the outset," explains Richard Unsworth, garden designer and owner of outdoor store Garden Life. "It's vital to have space where we can come together to connect and entertain, and also to switch off and relax." Check out our ideas for choosing and using your outdoor pieces. 

Outdoor dining setting
Marcel Aucar

1. Find your style. Gather images of gardens and furniture that resonate with you instantly. Make a moodboard, tear pages from magazines and take photos of things while you're out and about. 

Outdoor dining setting
Armelle Habib

2. Find the right table. Rectangular-shaped ones always work well and come in a huge variety of styles and materials; if you entertain large numbers often in a medium-sized space, an extendable table could be the answer. Round tables are best suited to smaller spaces - most seat between four and six comfortably - or you could opt for one with a flip top so it can be stored easily when it's not needed. 

Outdoor dining setting
Cath Muscat

3. Be influenced by your surrounds. Neat-chic furniture in 21st-century materials works well in cool urban courtyards, while a classic country terrace might suit pretty French ironwork furniture, or simple weathered pieces. 

Outdoor dining setting
Derek Swalwell

4. Draw on indoor inspiration. Consider your outdoor space as you would an interior zone and apply the 'rules' of interior styling. Use furniture and accessories made to withstand the elements, such as outdoor rugs, padded seating and throws to cosy up large, open areas. 

Outdoor dining setting
John Downs

5. Keep in mind the surface your furniture will sit on. "Contrast this with what you select," advises Richard Unsworth from Garden Life. "For instance, if putting wooden furniture on a timber deck, mix it up with stainless-steel or stone pieces. 

Outdoor dining setting
Simon Whitbread

6. A contemporary outdoor setting is achieved with a 2.1 metre long stainless-steel table with a Carrara marble top from Villa, paired with B&B Italia '1966-45 Schulz' chairs from Space. A glossy black Kartell 'Gnome' stoll adds a quirky touch. 

Outdoor dining setting
Derek Swalwell

7. Size up. Before you buy, measure the dimensions of your outdoor space. "A common mistake we see is furniture that is too large for an area," says Matthew Cantwell of Secret Gardens. "Allow roo around  your furniture so the space doesn't feel crowded." If you're unsure how your chosen piece will fit, try taping together sheets of newspaper to create a template and try it on your deck or patio. 

For more outdoor inspiration, click here. 

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

by Royal Albert, when you subscribe

Subscribe Now
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug

Recommended to you

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

{headline}

{headline}

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

5 things to know before buying a fire pit

Before and after: Increase your street appeal

Before and after: Increase your street appeal

How to declutter your garden in 5 easy steps

How to declutter your garden in 5 easy steps

6 simple Christmas decorating ideas

6 simple Christmas decorating ideas

{headline}

{headline}

Small space hack: 10 ideas to rediscover your balcony

Small space hack: 10 ideas to rediscover your balcony

8 amazing ideas to get your outdoor space ready for the festive season

8 amazing ideas to get your outdoor space ready for the festive season

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

Give your kids’ cubby house a fabulous facelift for summer

{headline}

{headline}

5 tips to make your outdoor space even more inviting

5 tips to make your outdoor space even more inviting

These stunning outdoor decks will make you want to re-style your own

These stunning outdoor decks will make you want to re-style your own

Our top 7 picks from Aldi's new special buys range

Our top 7 picks from Aldi's new special buys range

How to paint terracotta pots

How to paint terracotta pots

The 10 best outdoor furniture buys from Kmart

The 10 best outdoor furniture buys from Kmart

3 ways to nail that outside-in vibe at home

3 ways to nail that outside-in vibe at home

2 simple and stylish outdoor hacks to try this weekend

2 simple and stylish outdoor hacks to try this weekend

HomeBeautiful
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
HomeBeautiful Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
  • 7plus
  • 7News
  • Health Engine
  • The West Australian
  • Perth Now
  • Airtasker
  • Society One
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from

Magazine Subscription Offer

FREE Miranda Kerr Mug-SAVE 31%

Shop This Offer
FREE Miranda Kerr Mug