With warm summer days ahead, many of us are looking forward to some fun in the sun. Summer is the perfect time for family gatherings and reconnecting with your loved ones. It also gives you the chance to eat outside and enjoy the beautiful surroundings while sharing a laugh over a tasty meal. Before you invite your relatives over for dinner, you’ve got to make sure that your garden looks its best. Here are five ideas to get your garden ready for al fresco eating.
Check if your garden flooring is in mint condition
Creating a perfect al fresco dining setup requires you to pay attention to details. That is why it is so important to inspect the condition of your garden area to make sure everything is in mint condition. If your garden has pavers, check if there is anything that needs repairing. Make sure there aren’t any broken or loose pavers – even though they’re strong and durable over the course of years, pavers need to be cleaned very often to ensure they’re looking their best. If your garden has wooden decks, make sure to check for wood decay and loose boards or railings. If there is some discoloration on the wood, consider hiring a professional to take care of the cleaning and re-staining of your wooden deck, restoring it to its former glory and ensuring your garden area looks spick and span!
Illuminate your garden
Proper lighting is another factor you need to have in mind when organizing an al fresco supper in your garden. Once the sun goes down, you’ll need to make sure that your garden is provided with enough light for increased safety. Consider adding garden torches to illuminate your walkways and hang a string of chic outdoor lights to provide your garden with better visibility. If there are a lot of trees in your backyard, consider hanging lanterns from the branches – they’re sure to turn your garden into a mystical, fairytale-like oasis. You’ll also need to illuminate your dining table – adding several scented candles will do the trick. Use candles to create flattering mood lighting – the subtle flickering of the flame will set the perfect mood for outdoor dining, making it more intimate. Get beautiful wholesale candles online and set the scene for an evening full of magic.
Create a gorgeous tablescape
When organizing a dinner party, setting the table is one of the most important things on your to-do list. There are several steps you need to follow to create a gorgeous tablescape. First, you need to think about the color palette. Look at the dishware, serving pieces and linen that you’ve selected for your meal – do you notice any dominant colors? If not, you can easily create one – simply pick the two or three colors that mix well and use that color palette to dress up your outdoor dining table. The next thing you should do is to add height to your tablescape – you can do that by introducing various floral arrangements and decor pieces to include lifts and levels. Also, be sure to experiment with different patterns and textures in order to personalize your tablescape, thus creating a chic environment that is perfect for evening soirées.
Think about the food that you’ll serve
You can’t have al fresco dining without the main ingredient – delicious food! It’s best to stick with simple yet delicious recipes to create a perfect al fresco supper. Go with seasonal vegetables and fruits and make them the center of your dinner menu. Start your supper by serving appetizers – a tray of canapés, mixed with smoked salmon and avocado pear with garnishes and decoration – they all make for a mouth-watering hors d’oeuvre. As for the main course, opt for freshly grilled fish or lemon and garlic roast chicken – both of them are great choices for the main meal. To keep your guests hydrated, use mint leaves, lemon, and lime to make flavored water – it’s the perfect way to refresh your body after a hearty meal. Last but not least, serve a light dessert made with fresh berries and nuts as a delicious and guilt-free meal to complete your al fresco menu.
Make it comfy & cozy!
In order to host a successful dinner party, one must think about the ways to make their guests feel comfortable. One way to do it is by investing in durable, quality outdoor furniture. Synthetic resin is by far one of the best materials for garden furniture – it’s durable, lightweight and doesn’t require maintenance. It is also a stylish addition to any garden and will please any homeowner who is concerned about aesthetics as much as the practicality of their outdoor furniture. Be sure to introduce padded seat cushions in your seating area to make sure your guests are provided with maximum comfort. Add a couple of throw pillows for an added feeling of warmth. Another great addition to your al fresco area is a fire pit. Consider making your own fire pit for your garden – if it gets chilly outside, the fire pit will provide extra warmth for your guests and make your al fresco dining more pleasant.
Designing the perfect al fresco area isn’t all that hard – by using the tips above, you’re sure to turn your garden into a gorgeous oasis, perfect for entertaining and unwinding.
Guest post by Chloe Taylor
About the Author
Chloe is an interior design consultant from Adelaide and a regular contributor to Smooth Decorator. She loves everything related to decor, aesthetic and lifestyle topics. She is also passionate about photography. Her biggest dream is to travel the whole world and take some stunning photographs of beautiful places. Beside all this, she enjoys drinking coffee and reading a beautiful book from time to time. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter.
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