Yes, we've just been let back indoors with friends again. But with sunshine and summer (surely) just around the corner, something tells me we'll be heading outside for supper with friends again, soon enough.
Rustic outdoor dining can be every bit as special as the grandest of dining rooms. With the sun going down and stars appearing, the drink flowing and music playing, there's something quite magical about summer evenings spent outside.
What's even better is this doesn't require the same formality and with a little planning, it's possible to strike a balance between laid-back ambiance and scoring some serious style points; creating a lovely experience for you and your guests.
Wondering how to get started? Here are 5 simple steps to help you on your way.
1. Setting the Scene
Decide on your theme. And stick to it. This will help you choose all your design elements more easily. Think about colours. Where you're situated. The food you're serving. And ultimately, the kind of atmosphere you wish to create. Do you want a sleek and sophisticated scheme for a special celebration? Or is it more of a relaxed gathering where simple colours and textures would make people feel comfortable and at ease. From here you can create your "story", what does the scene you're creating tell people about what they're about to experience?
2. Take a Seat
Where will people sit? Might seem straightforward. However, whilst one long table will lend itself more to formal dining, groups of circular tables, or even floor cushions, will give a more sociable feeling, allowing people to chat more freely and and get up and move about as they wish. So thinking about how you set up your space to make your evening run smoothly, is a good place to begin.
If you have larger numbers than normal, upturned wooden boxes or fruit cratesare lovely for low-level dining. Line them up in a row and partially cover with a cotton tablecloth or leave completed bare for some natural texture, and serve grazing boards for easy, yet instagram-worthy, dining.
3. Get Comfortable
Whether seated at a table or on the grass, throws, rugs and seat cushions will bring some of that indoor comfort outside. And a fire pit is an easy win for turning the temperature up as the sun goes down.
Make life as easy as possible with a drinks station so guests may help themselves and you can keep glasses topped up without constantly running inside and missing out on all the fun.
If you're concerned that cold or rain may set in later in the evening, a bell tent is a great way to keep the part going, whilst immediately elevating your party's style. Add side tables for your vases, candles and drinks and use multiple fairy light strings to keep it nice and cosy, then simply bring your floor cushions, throws and rugs inside the tent to keep everyone comfortable when it's time.
3. Lots of Lights
Festoons, lanterns, candles. The one thing you can't have too much of at a summertime supper is lighting. Even when the sun is still shining, woven lightsadd a pretty touch wound through tree branches or looped around garden walls and fences,
Layering strings of lights creates extra magic and immediately adds a party feeling. Scatter scented candles on multiple surfaces to achieve an even spread around the party (being careful not to set any textiles alight) and use differing heights and widths to give movement and beautiful fragrance at every level.
5. Decor Decisions
If your table is set under trees or in a walled garden, you might lean into a more natural aesthetic. Perhaps consciously choosing hand-cut or foraged styles for your table flowers. To create a beautiful display, think an eclectic mix of vases: low and high, wide and narrow. Using jam jars, jugs or large cups to create an effect. And consider a variety of similar styles: mixing metallics or clashing pretty patterns. Just bear in mind that your guests will want to talk to each other, so keep the top of arrangements light and airy or choose long and low styles and pepper with candlesticks or hurricane vases along the table to create height.
If the theme suit something more contemporary or less fussy, stick to one colour flowers (white is the perfect go-to) and then add no more than two types of foliage such as eucalyptus and cuscus.
Create zoned areas with decorations. Lanterns leading to a gathering spot like the fire pit or oversized biodegradable balloons to frame the main eating area so people know where the action is. Little touches that add up to big style points.
Final tip: Once everything is in place, take 5 minutes to look at how everything works together. Make sure people can get around safely (especially after a couple of drinks) and that it looks warm and inviting. Try sitting in different seats to make sure people will be comfortable and that everything looks just as nice at eye level. Then all that's left is to pour a drink and wait for your happy guests to arrive!