A refreshing dining area

When the weather warms up, there is nothing more suitable and comfortable than an outdoor dining area. This is an informal place where visitors and family members experience a change of environment even when they are at home. This should be an easy to set up area with lesser expenses compared to an indoor dining.

Location
The place for an outdoor dining area should be one that will make you, your family and visitors feel comfortable and relaxed. “The place must be quiet, comfortable and private to avoid interference. It should have protective elements like trees or umbrellas to shield you from rain and sunshine,” says Moses Kinobe, an architect at the Uganda Society of Architects.

Kinobe adds that the area may be an extended terrace or verandah or an extension from the kitchen. “This saves you from the frequent trips to the kitchen. The outdoor dining may also be put on the patio in the compound with the help of umbrellas to provide a shed on hot days.

He adds that someone may decide to have a simple structure separate from the main house, specifically for dining. The roof may be thatched but it is important to ensure there is plenty of fresh air so the structure should not go above the window level.
Kinobe says, “If you decide to have a cooking area, it is also advisable to have a cupboard which keeps the serving utensils like cups, plates and glasses.”

Furniture
The ground in the dining area must be at the same level to avoid wobbly chairs or tilted tables. It is advisable to use simple furniture that is easily carried away.

“You have to choose outdoor dining area furniture depending on the size of your family and number of frequent visitors. If you have a big family, look for a dining set with a large table and at least four or six chairs.

In this case, a picnic table would be the greatest for a family with young children. It is also good to have outdoor buffet tables if you frequently throw parties. If you are going to dine with many people, a camping table will work out well and then spread out chairs according to the number of people you expect.

How big should it be?
The size of your outdoor dining area depends on the size of your family and how many guests you intend to have at your dining. Kinobe says, “It depends on how much space you have in your compound or verandah but the area should not be as big as the main house.”