Outdoor Dining
Think practical, polished and pretty - here are 11 stylish buys for outdoor dining and entertaining this summer.
With outdoor living such a huge part of our social worlds right now – and thoughts of sunshine, blue skies and brighter days ahead – by styling up your outdoor dining space, you’ll be rewarded tenfold when those summer nights roll around.
From fancy furnishings to decorative greenery, and on-trend tiki bars to marvellous melamine plates, here’s what’s on our wish-list for al fresco entertaining – whether it’s sundowners à deux, a casual cookout or a more sophisticated soirée…
1. Bronx Outdoor Salad Bowl €23.48; Large Serving Platter €16.44, and Chip n Dip Bowl €21.13, visit next.ie
This striking melamine tableware shouts designer homeware, without the hefty price tag.
2. Homesense Floral Tumblers €5.99, visit Homesense
From your favourite bottle of rosé to a pitcher of Pimm’s, these stylish floral tumblers are versatile enough to hold all your refreshing summer tipples.
3. George Home Garden Tiki Bar 3 Piece Set €409.58, visit direct.asda.com
Surely this summer’s must have go-to, this tiki bar can be styled up to suit your sundowner, sarong and swimwear – and the two matching stools have sunshine selfie moments written all over them.
4. Epicurean Re-usable Rio Medallion 26cm Melamine/Plastic Dinner Plates (Set of 4) approx €434.84, visit amazon.co.uk
Enhancing your outdoor tablescaping with a Moroccan style pattern and nod to Marrakech will spice up all your ingredients, especially if you top up the matching bowls with a delicious couscous salad and mezze nibbles.
5. George Foreman GFGBBQ3B Portable 3 Burner Grill Gas BBQ (Black) €257.08, visit currys.ie
A combination of three burners for burgers, bangers and veggies, side shelves, thermometer, storage rack for condiments and automatic ignition (once you’ve sorted the propane gas) makes this BBQ ideal for fuss-free grilling at the drop of a sun hat.
6. M&S Collection Jungle Picnic Collection: Set of 4 Jungle Picnic Tumblers €14.09; Set of 4 Jungle Picnic Dinner Plates €17.61; Set of 4 Jungle Picnic Pasta Bowls €17.61 and Jungle Picnic Serving Platter €14.09, visit marksandspencer.co.uk
We’re wild about this new jungle picnicware, which will make you feel like you’re on safari – and look great indoors and out.
7. Artificial Premium Lavender Green Wall (0.9m x 0.9m) €330, visit artificialgrassstore.ie
If your garden wall is missing a bit of wow factor, or you’re struggling to get shade-loving plants to flower, this faux lavender green wall panel is realistic, luscious and an ideal way to brighten up any area with no maintenance.
8. Yankee Candle Outdoor Collection Ocean Hibiscus €21.90, visit yankeecandlecompany.ie
Best known for their scented candles, Yankee Candle’s new outdoor collection features four new fragrances, with citronella and other essential oils at its core. Perhaps the most tropical vibe, Ocean Hibiscus offers top notes of ripe watermelon, hints of water blossom, with musk and sugarcane in the base.
9. Newbridge 4 Seater Patio Set €699, visit lowrysmodernliving.ie
The Kildare Four Seater classic wooden patio set is an all-weather resistant Acacia hardwood set with natural oil content. If your home is more bijou balcony than sweeping lawn, or you just want a lightweight bistro set for easy use, this Acacia hardwood set marries function with flair.
10. Costa 4 Seat Square Firepit Set €2,299, visit caseys.ie
If cooking and entertaining is your passion then this Costa Range firepit table will keep you and your guests toasty while extending your outdoor time. Add a cast iron griddle for cooking steaks, grilling salmon or chargrilled veggies etc, without having to make frequent trips to the kitchen or fire up a separate BBQ.
11. St Mawes Drinks/Planter Bar Table (Small) €994.50; Lymington Bar Stools €328 each, visit gardentrading.co.uk
This weatherproof teak table features a galvanised steel trough to hold all those ice-cold wines and beers – so less traipsing off to the fridge once your friends arrive. Designed to be a focal point, fill the centre with bags of ice and everything will stay beautifully chilled. Alternatively, the trough could be filled with your best bouquet and fresh foliage for coffee mornings al fresco.