It is commonly considered that food cooked and consumed outdoors tastes infinitely better than the same meal eaten inside. With the beautiful year-round California climate, al fresco dining is possible more often than not. When designing the perfect Studio City backyard incorporating a dining area is essential. Read on for five backyard patio seating inspirations!
1. Modern Picnic Tables
If you often host large gatherings or have plenty of kids frequently at your house, try incorporating a modern twist on a picnic table. We recommend adding a bench on one side of a dining table to increase your seating capacity. It is great for people coming and going and less expensive than individual chairs. Plus, if anyone in your family is wheelchair-bound, they can easily park at the end of the table and join in on the festivities.
2. Bar Seating
Height is an essential aspect of decorating, so why not incorporate bar-height seating? Try adding bar stools to your outdoor kitchen so you can converse with the cook or bartender. You can also add a couple of bar-height tables around a large patio or pool deck to create alternative areas for smaller groups to chat away from the main dining area.
3. Comfort is Key
The feelings of comfort are what make a home so inviting. Make sure that each piece of furniture you select for your outdoor dining area is comfortable for friends and family to lounge in over a long dinner or multiple bottles of wine. This is especially important as we continue to age; cheap furniture can lead to sore backs, necks, and butts, even if you are having a wonderful time with your loved ones. Make sure your furniture is extra comfy; it will keep the party going!
4. Mood Lighting
Lighting is a critical aspect of design. It can take an average space and make it magical, inviting guests to stay longer. You certainly don’t want to leave them sitting in the dark or unable to see the beautiful features you have so much time and effort building. Be sure to install creative lighting and change the settings as the mood changes from fun in the sun to nighttime gatherings.
5. Overhead Covers
No one likes to eat or drink in the fiercely blazing southern California sun. Building a structure around your outdoor dining area keeps you shady and cool while enjoying the open air and breezes. Overhead covers can help delineate the outdoor dining area, creating the feeling of a separate room. Pergolas are customizable to fit your aesthetic and dining area while providing great shade. If you want more adjustability, try a large umbrella or shade sails.
What is patio seating called?
Often when searching for inspiration or new furniture, it seems like there are a million names for everything. If you are looking for patio seating, we recommend searching for “garden furniture,” “outdoor furniture,” or “patio furniture.” These keywords will point you in the direction of weather-resistant furniture that can stand substantial abuse from sunshine, rain, wind, and dirt.
What type of patio furniture can stay out all year?
While most patio seating is designed to be resistant to the elements of nature, some types are better than others. If you want to leave your furniture outside all year long, we recommend choosing the following materials:
For metal, you will want aluminum, stainless steel, and galvanized steel. If you are worried about it rusting, you will want to purchase items with rust-resistant finishes or add them yourself.
For wood, hardwood is the best option to withstand Mother Nature. The best hardwood for patio furniture is teak due to its durable quality.
It is important to note that you may have mix-and-match materials. For example, your frame may be metal, but the seating may be wood. You will want to check both before buying!
Is it OK to leave my patio furniture out all winter?
As we mentioned above, quality patio seating can be left outside all year long. However, that is assuming there are no major weather events. While quality patio seating can withstand rain, you may want to consider bringing it into the garage if you expect there to be high winds or a lot of snow. We recommend bringing it in from the wind to ensure that it doesn’t slide around outside, leaving scrapes on the ground or knocking into other items or your home. Additionally, we advise bringing it in if you anticipate excessive snow to prevent mildew or cracking from extreme weight.
Is high-end patio furniture worth it?
Some argue that high-end patio furniture isn’t worth the cost since it will be sitting outside in the elements, but they are mistaken. High-end patio furniture is typically made of stronger, more durable materials that will last longer. Not only does this save you money from having to replace abused furniture each spring, but it keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills. Plus, high-end furniture is often more comfortable and easier to maintain. If you plan on using your patio seating at least once a week, we recommend paying the extra couple hundred of dollars for high-quality furniture that will keep you happy!
Design Scapes – Your Blog for Outdoor Inspiration
Having an eye for what an outdoor design, furniture and all, looks like can be challenging for most homeowners. If you are redesigning your outdoor space, we recommend consulting with our designers to determine what size, shape, and style of furniture will look best with your new design.
Looking for more outdoor design inspiration? Check out our weekly blog for inspiration on all things backyard! Plus, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest to see our latest projects!
