No matter what the season in Australia, outdoor dining is always a good idea. From backyard BBQs and fun in the sun to fancy dinners under the stars, we’ve got the decorating ideas you need to style your outdoor area for year-round events. Divide your patio and alfresco areas into different zones for wining, dining and entertaining with some simple DIY styling tips to help you get the most out of your space.
There’s a lot to consider when transforming your outdoor areas into an entertainment oasis, including layout, seating and the durability of outdoor furniture. Let’s get started by considering these factors:
The space and layout
All fabulous design ideas start with considering the available space and existing layout. Do you have a small outdoor space with a patio or perhaps a sprawling backyard with plenty of hidden nooks and crannies for seating? Do you already have an outdoor kitchen set up or will you need to add cooking equipment? Small spaces need streamlined furniture pieces that are multi-functional to save space, such as storage ottomans and extendable tables.
Plan out your space and where each piece will go. Get the chalk out and map each position to ensure you have the spacing correct. It can help to divide your outdoor area into different zones or sections for seating and dining, then plan one zone at a time.
Is your outdoor space covered?
Keep your guests happy all year-round by making sure your outdoor patio and outdoor dining areas are properly covered. This will shade people from the hot Australian sun in the summer as well as protect them from the elements if the weather turns bad.
You’ve got plenty of options, depending on your level of DIY skill. You could:
- Build a pitched roof over your patio to turn it into a real outdoor living room. This offers full protection from the sun, rain, wind and other elements.
- Use umbrellas to provide shade from the sun and light showers. These are summer staples and look beautiful with a daybed placed beneath them.
- Install shade sails over the patio for something unique and stylish.
- Put a pergola over the patio area for partial shade.
- Incorporate lots of plants and lush greenery to close in spaces and turn them into cosy, private and vibrant spaces that are protected from the elements.
Do you need a lot of seating?
You can answer this by asking yourself how many people do you intend to entertain? Will the outdoor area just be for you and your family members or will you invite friends over for bigger parties? Will it be an informal event or one that requires a formal dining area and dining table?
Fancy events with lots of people will require a dining set. Rectangular dining tables are great for fitting in lots of guests while still allowing for easy conversation and movement. They also come with matching chairs to accommodate everyone. Choose from 7 piece dining sets to 11 piece and more. If a small gathering with close friends is more your style, you may like to go for outdoor sofas instead. Arrange them around a coffee table in your outdoor living area for drinks and snacks with side tables for extra storage. A few bean bags and ottomans can add extra style and seating if you need it.
Decorate your seating with colourful throw pillows and blankets in the winter. For some more unusual seating, a hammock looks gorgeous strung up between trees or poles and provides the perfect spot to relax in the great outdoors!
Do you entertain a lot?
If your outdoor room will be a sanctuary for entertaining friends and family, it needs to be set up for the company. A dining table with chairs will be needed if you plan on sitting down and dining in a more formal setting. Make outdoor cooking a breeze by including the right equipment. Many Australians choose to put a BBQ in their backyard, but you can also consider wood-fire pizza ovens and fire pits that can toast marshmallows under the stars.
Create little pockets around the garden where guests can carry on the conversation after the meal. Outdoor sofas, benches and ottomans make cosy, informal seating options while a coffee table and smaller side tables will provide a good spot to rest cocktails and snacks.
Outdoor lighting is essential if entertaining at night. You can give your space a beautiful ambience with string lights wound around poles or in trees. Here are some other lighting ideas to get you inspired:
- Candles floating in water bowls
- Tiki torches
- Lanterns placed on tabletops
- LED lights installed along garden pathways
- Downlights in the patio roof
- Outdoor chandelier as a statement piece
Do you have a lot of landscaping in your backyard?
Greenery brings your outdoor areas to life, brightening them up and giving guests a real sense of being outdoors. A gorgeous garden invites guests to wander around and take in nature. Make sure you have pathways that can lead the way and consider adding structures like water features, sculptures and miniature stone bridges to add visual interest.
Don’t just stop at the garden. Add some potted plants and flowers for a splash of vibrant colour on the patio or group succulents on outdoor tables to create a cute vignette. You can also embrace a more earthy look with large terracotta planters dotted here and there. Think outside the box; you can create a show-stopping vertical garden, thread a trellis with blooming flowers or install brackets to hang potted plants from the wall.
For a quick and easy option, simply pick flowers or herbs from your garden and place them in a vase in the centre of the dining table!
The style of your home
If you would like a home that looks unified and cohesive, your outdoor and patio ideas should align with the interior design of the rest of your house. Create a seamless flow between indoors and outdoors by using the same colour scheme. If you follow a warm palette, extend this to the outside by placing pops of yellow or orange cushions on the sofa. Choose rattan outdoor deck chairs to match the rattan mirror inside. A neutral palette interior can be reflected in natural outdoor rugs, white outdoor sofas and a minimalist outdoor dining set.
Does your interior design follow a certain theme? Perhaps you love the simplicity of Scandinavian design or the colourful chaos of a bohemian design. Mid century modern styles add a touch of retro to the home while Normandy furniture fills your spaces with French farmhouse elegance. Choose furniture pieces and accessories that reflect your chosen style to create a beautiful sanctuary you, your family and friends will love to spend time in.
Accessories to consider
Accessories can be scattered tastefully around your outdoor areas as accents or placed in a central position as a focal point. Consider:
- Outdoor rug - Rugs fill in empty spaces and help to make them feel complete. Go for a natural jute rug that enhances the beauty of nature or choose a bold patterned rug that will add visual interest and texture to outdoor areas.
- Outdoor cushions - Make outdoor seating comfy for conversations and drinks by decorating them with outdoor cushions. Stick to neutrals for a modern and minimal look or go dramatic with bright pops of colour. Choose outdoor fabrics that are weather-resistant.
- Wall art - Wall art adds interest to patios and alfresco areas. Think metal pieces hung on the wall, sculptures in the garden and art prints scattered on tables.
- Water fountain - A water fountain can enhance the feeling of being outdoors. It can look like a work of art in itself, attract birds and create a calming sound while dining outdoors.
- Mirror - Mirrors can make the outside feel larger. They’re a great addition to small backyards when you want to create the illusion of more space.
Your budget
When planning your outdoor living space, it’s important to stick within your budget. Before you start, decide on an overall budget and choose pieces that comfortably fit within the range to avoid going over. Amart has quality outdoor furniture and accessories at the most affordable prices below RRP to help you style your outdoor spaces without breaking the bank!