• Create an outdoor dining room for easy entertaining.patio image by fotogis?¡§le from Fotolia.com
  
  Enjoying a comfortable meal outside can be relaxing and refreshing--a pleasurable way to celebrate beautiful weather. Outdoor dining requires three key elements: seating, an eating area and shelter from the sun. As long as you cover these areas, you can be as creative and original as you'd like. When planning outdoor entertaining, consider weather, how you will dine and the type of meals you typically serve.
  
  

Outdoor Dining Room

• If you live in a climate that has mild temperatures all year, create a full dining room outside for your family to enjoy. If your kitchen opens onto a patio, during dinner parties you can leave the doors open for an indoor/outdoor dining room feeling. Use a large table with a lot of seating to accommodate lo lots of guests. A finished wooden table or bench style table works well. When hosting parties, cover the table with a tablecloth and placemats, and set it as you would a traditional table. Use a heavy centerpiece that will act as both a decorative piece and a weight to hold down the tablecloth if it is windy. Put up a canopy around the table to provide some protection.
  
  

Natural Arbor

• Create a very natural eating area outdoors by building a wooden arch. Use a climbing vine flower to fill in the arch, making a canopy of greenery and vines. Select a heavy wooden table and chairs in a complementary wood tone. Use natural-looking placemats, such as canvas or bamboo, and a centerpiece inspired by nature to tie the eating area together.
  
  

Outdoor Lounge

• An outdoor lounge will give you space to eat and entertain when the weather is nice. Choose high, square top tables that can be separated and arranged around the patio for a cocktail party or pushed together for a dinner. Include a full covered bar surrounded by bar stools, with shelving behind it for storage. Use the bar to serve drinks or act as a buffet in a dinner setting. Complete the lounge feel with tiki torches and additional seating.
  
  

Cozy Dining

• Create a cozy outdoor environment appropriate for cool evenings. Build a fire pit that can be covered with a flat piece of stone or wood to act as a coffee table when it's not in use. Assemble chairs with soft cushions and throw pillows, and toss an additional throw blanket over each. After your meal, slide the top off of the fire pit, start a fire and relax under a cozy blanket.