With the warm weather approaching and homeowners feeling eager to take full advantage of their outdoor space, dining outside at home is a great option. Southern Maryland homeowners can easily enjoy a meal outside, whether they have a small patio or an expansive yard. But how can you take this up a notch? Maybe you want to get creative with your family dinner or perhaps you plan to have a couple of friends over. Whatever the reason, here are a few tips for the best outdoor dining experience at home:

Think About Shade

Will you use this space to eat different meals, or is it more of a dinner option? While shade won’t matter much for dinner time, it will matter for that hot summer lunch. Considering your shade options is key to setting up the perfect outdoor dining spot. If you have the option for an umbrella, it’s a great choice that lets you decide how much sun you need. Otherwise, opting for a bit of tree coverage if you have it on your property can be a nice option as well.

Go For Buffet Style

Even if you’re only having a few people at the meal, buffet style is a fun way to make dining outside easy. Rather than having to run back inside for seconds or have people going in and out of your home, you can keep it all outside. The casual serve-yourself vibe of a buffet is also the perfect complement to eating outdoors.

Consider the Lighting

Especially if dinner is the main meal that you’ll enjoy outside, lighting is key. First, because you’ll want to be able to see your family or dinner guests and the food on your plates, but also because lighting can help to add ambiance. So, get creative here and use lighting as a part of your outdoor-dining decor. Stringing up some twinkle lights, adding candles to your table, and handing up a lantern or two can instantly elevate your space.

Stay Cozy

Even when the days get warm, the nights can cool off. It’s always nice to have a few blankets on hand in case anyone needs an extra layer to stay warm. Rolling up a few of these and bringing them out for those evening meals is a great way to ensure everyone is comfortable.

 

Will you be dining in your outdoor space this spring and summer? What are your plans? Which meal do you enjoy the most outside? I’d love to hear your thoughts!