Landscape Design Ideas for Creating an Atmospheric Outdoor Dining Room in Lisle, IL
Dining alfresco is one of the many joys of summer. To make outdoor dining even more enjoyable, you need a great outdoor dining room. Don’t settle for a plain picnic table or a few lawn chairs by the BBQ. Instead, try some of these landscape design ideas to create a fabulous outdoor dining room for your Lisle, IL backyard.
Romantic Backyard Get-together
Outdoor dining lends itself well to long, leisurely meals that you never want to end. To create the right setting for a cozy dinner party, start with choosing the right location. This is one situation where it’s OK to set the table up on the lawn. Look for a spot under a tree or near an overflowing flower bed to provide a romantic backdrop.
Adding a pergola over the dining area will help define your dining space and provide shade on sunny days. A pergola also makes the perfect spot to train climbing vines and hanging flowers. The greenery will add privacy to your dining area and create a dreamy atmosphere.
Outdoor lighting will add ambiance and ensure your parties don’t have to end at dusk. Lanterns and string lights hung from tree branches or a pergola will create a romantic setting.
Consider a wooden dining table with eclectic mismatched chairs rather than a contemporary outdoor dining set. Include cushions and some cozy throws to brighten the space and keep guests comfortable. Take advantage of summer blooms and include fresh-cut flowers in the table setting.
European Bistro Style Dining
Capture the feeling of stepping into an old-world bistro with landscape design that takes its cues from the past. A beautiful cobblestone or brick patio will provide the right flooring for a traditional outdoor dining area. Classic wrought iron furniture paired with coordinating lighting will help create a European bistro feel.
A retractable awning offers the best of both worlds when it comes to protection from the elements. An awning doesn’t take up any floor space and will provide shelter from both the sun and rain. And with a retractable awning, you’ll still have the option to enjoy good weather whenever you choose.
Have an outdoor fireplace added to make your dining area comfortable even after the sun goes down. A wood-burning fireplace, built with natural stone, will create the perfect atmosphere for nighttime dining. Trees planted around the dining area will create privacy and add vertical interest.
Modern Outdoor Escape
Good landscape design should complement your home’s architecture. Therefore, a modern home should have a modern outdoor dining room. Clean lines and minimalistic style are the trademarks of modern landscape design. A smooth patio featuring Unilock Umbriano or Senzo pavers is the perfect setting for a contemporary outdoor dining room.
Situate your dining area under a covered patio for shelter from even the worst weather. A covered dining room also allows for upgraded furniture and the addition of some modern electronics. A sound system for dinner music will elevate your dinner parties and provide entertainment after dinner as well.
Include a modern gas fire table and comfortable seating for an ideal place to gather for after-dinner drinks. Have planters added with shrubs and tall grasses to help create privacy and soften the hardscaping elements.
Image courtesy of Unilock.
