HOW TO ELEVATE YOUR PATIO FOR SPRING + SUMMER HOSTING.

There’s one month left till Summer, so now is the perfect time to start collecting everything you will need to create an Elevated Outdoor Dining Experience just in time for late Spring and Summer.

Here’s What You Need To Know:

• Choosing the right area in your outdoor space to dine.

• Picking out the perfect rug for your space.

• How to pick the right table and chairs.

• Where to shop for Elevated Pieces on A Budget?

• How you can elevate any outdoor patio space.

• Putting everything together for Al Fresco dining.

First things first…

Al Fresco dining is the Italian word for “in the fresh air.” It refers to eating outdoors, and even if you live near the beach, in the mountains, in the plains, house or apartment any open air setting will work, Big or Small. Even an apartment patio can utilize a small round table with two chairs for a person living alone or with few people. It’s all about creating a warm inviting space to enjoy dining outside the home.

More importantly, we only have approximately 80 summers in this lifetime. Starting from the ground up you have a few options on where you should set up your dining space, and yes that matters. If you have grass in your outdoor space, maybe near a shaded tree, set your space up there. If you have a deck, concrete, tile or brick area it’s crucial you lay down an outdoor rug to create a space. Make sure you get something large enough to place the table on top of….. If you have a table with an extender make sure you pick a rug that fits the table when its extended. If you have a round table that extends to a large oval shape you will want to purchase a rectangular shaped rug.

I personally live near the beach in Southern California where backyards don’t exist and what little outdoor space we have is always concrete, and no grass. Grass is calming and grounding, and the greenery excites the senses. So, to take away the cold empty feeling concrete suggests, I laid down a strip of astroturf near my firepit to place my table. You can purchase astroturf at your local Home Depot or Lowes. You must first measure the space and they can custom cut it for you. You should touch and pick the grass you want, it sells by the square foot starting around 1.00 and up depending on the quality of turf you choose. Make sure you don’t get the cheap plastic one thats .50 cents/sq. ft.

Picking out the right rug is essential.

This of course depends on your style and taste, but if you want to get the most for your money BUY CLASSIC PIECES, I can’t stress this enough. Traditional rugs, Persian style rugs, jute or woven rugs, muted tones, neutral colors never go out of style. They create a sort of blank canvas for the space that you can dress up with decor. A decent rug should last you minimum 5 years. Avoid heavy patterns and rugs that only cater to one aesthetic, unless you don’t mind switching it out every year, buy something classic, and have fun with decorative pieces. I.E. Flowers, Cups, Dinnerware, candles etc. Especially if you live in warmer climates and plan on eating Al Fresco through multiple seasons. This way you can change the outdoor aesthetic to match the season. Stick to Classic Pieces for the Rug, Table, Umbrella….. Save Trendy, Colorful, Decorative Pieces for everything else. You can find very affordable outdoor rugs online: Check out Amazon, Wayfair, Target, Sometimes Homegoods if you get lucky!

Picking Out The Right Table and Chairs.

• For outdoors I strongly suggest a REAL WOOD TABLE. Wood will never go out of style and will last forever. Teak can last for a 20+ years if it is cared for and treated properly. Real wood is more expensive so if you want a good deal, you can ask to buy a floor model (they are usually discounted 10-30%), or wait till the summer season is over for the lowest prices.

• Invest in a cover for when it rains, and cover when the season is over.

• Make sure to polish it with the proper oil or treatment recommended.

• If you’re social, have a family, and/or the space for a larger table, get a table with an extender. An extender is something that folds in/out easily if you are having guests over.

• If Real Wood seems out of reach, check out Facebook Marketplace for a used table you can spruce up. Or start with a 6-8 foot fold out table and cover it with a table cloth.

• For a larger outdoor space choose a rectangular shaped table. If you live in an apartment or have limited outdoor space a round pedestal or bistro table may be the better choice. Metal and iron will rust, so make sure you cover it properly.

• As for dining chairs, this is where you can let your creative flag fly! Purchase chairs that make you happy, but more importantly ones that you do not mind taking care of. Chairs get dusty, spider webs, rust, sun fade, so pick ones based on the level of care you want to commit to. Natural wood, Metal, Plastic, Rattan can be sprayed down with a hose, easily stacked and stored in the garage for the colder months.

• Same for Umbrellas. Get something Neutral that matches everything! The tasseled and scalloped umbrellas add a classic elevated feel. They have the best quality, and are the OG’s of aesthetic umbrellas. Again I would go for simple white, ivory, nudes, or cream colors so they can match different types of table decor. If your on a budget they have plastic dupe umbrellas for $80 ones for better coverage.

Table decor + Dinnerware.

This is where all the fun begins because you get to choose your Aesthetic for the Season. Heres a checklist of things you will want to consider:

• A Tablecloth

• A Table Runner

• Placemats

• Plates

• Napkins

• Silverware

• Water Cups

• Wine Glasses

• Vase

• Candles

  I always Shop for the current season, 1 season ahead. The reason being is you get the first pick before everything is gone or picked over. Also, it gives me time to make thoughtful purchases that make sense. I invest in pieces that all go together to fit with my vision. And if I don’t have a vision, I start with a piece that speaks to me. For me, thats normally plates. I have a slight obsession and am always collecting sets that I can build my tablescape around considering the items listed above. I also, am an avid thrift/estate sale and vintage shopper. I frequent, year round so I always have my eye open for fun pieces I can use. This is also where you can get the best deals, and amazing quality pieces because most goods are not made with the same quality materials they were back in the day before mass production and made in China factories were a thing.