9 Dreamy Decks for Dining Alfresco
When the weather’s right, there’s nothing like a leisurely meal enjoyed under the open sky, with soft breezes wafting through and views of the garden or — if you’re lucky — a lake or seashore. As we move into prime outdoor entertaining season, it’s time to make the most of it with plenty of outdoor dining. Take a look at these nine appealing decks set up for alfresco eating — they may inspire your own outdoor design.
Suburban Renewal Inc
1. Seaside View in Providence, Rhode Island
Now that’s an outdoor room with a view. An expansive deck wraps around the waterfront side of this Providence home, providing ample space for kicking back, taking in the sun and watching someone flip burgers on the outdoor grill.
The dining table, positioned right up against the unobtrusive cable railing, offers perhaps the best water views and is just steps away from the grill for easy fire-to-table service.
2. Indoor-Outdoor Space in New Zealand
A streamlined pergola extends from the home’s roof to enclose this indoor-outdoor dining room on New Zealand’s North Island. With the large sliding glass doors open and the curtains pushed aside, the home’s interior and outdoor deck flow together nearly seamlessly.
3. Lakeside Perch Near Minneapolis
There’s more than what meets the eye with this elevated deck on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, in Minnesota. All sides of the deck, designed by Sharratt Design & Co. and Karie Zemlicka from Mom’s Design Build, can be screened in with the touch of a button, thanks to integrated retractable screens by Phantom Screens. This option ensures that summer dinners can be enjoyed bug-free.
There’s more than what meets the eye with this elevated deck on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, in Minnesota. All sides of the deck, designed by Sharratt Design & Co. and Karie Zemlicka from Mom’s Design Build, can be screened in with the touch of a button, thanks to integrated retractable screens by Phantom Screens. This option ensures that summer dinners can be enjoyed bug-free.
Screens from the same company also stretch across the ceiling to fully enclose the space. To protect against rain, the aluminum ceiling louvers can be closed electronically. The outdoor teak dining table can be extended, with the help of a hidden leaf, to seat up to 10 people — perfect for having impromptu dinner parties or hosting unexpected guests.
4. Texture on Texture in Sydney
A neutral color palette enables the rich textures of this seaside outdoor dining space by Villa and Villa to shine. The designers paired wooden elements — decking, chunky stools and a rustic shade structure — with smooth stucco and concrete for a design that is nicely balanced through contrast. Soft cushions invite one to pull up a seat and watch wood-fired pizzas sizzle in the outdoor oven.
A neutral color palette enables the rich textures of this seaside outdoor dining space by Villa and Villa to shine. The designers paired wooden elements — decking, chunky stools and a rustic shade structure — with smooth stucco and concrete for a design that is nicely balanced through contrast. Soft cushions invite one to pull up a seat and watch wood-fired pizzas sizzle in the outdoor oven.
5. Cool and Contemporary Deck in Melbourne, Australia
Clean lines and crisp edges dominate this design by the architects at Acre. The outdoor kitchen and dining area complement the home’s contemporary architecture and incorporate the warm wood and black accents used inside the house. A narrow bar with two chairs along the grill adds seating and offers a place to rest a glass of wine or prep dishes for the barbecue.
Clean lines and crisp edges dominate this design by the architects at Acre. The outdoor kitchen and dining area complement the home’s contemporary architecture and incorporate the warm wood and black accents used inside the house. A narrow bar with two chairs along the grill adds seating and offers a place to rest a glass of wine or prep dishes for the barbecue.
6. Easy Living in Austin, Texas
One could imagine heading straight from the pool to the dinner table in this backyard. Designed by B. Jane Gardens, it features multiple areas for different purposes, including a lounge area on the other side of the pool, another terrace with a small cafe table, and the largest deck, seen here, for outdoor cooking and dining.
One could imagine heading straight from the pool to the dinner table in this backyard. Designed by B. Jane Gardens, it features multiple areas for different purposes, including a lounge area on the other side of the pool, another terrace with a small cafe table, and the largest deck, seen here, for outdoor cooking and dining.
A close-up of the outdoor kitchen shows how the grill is built into the wall, tucked neatly under an awning for shade or to protect it from rain. The space beneath the custom concrete countertop provides room for stacking wood.
7. Shady Spot in Northern California
This dining deck in Alameda, California, sits a few steps up from the garden and a few steps down from the back door of the home, effectively splitting the grade change to create a bonus room.
Generously proportioned built-in bench seats anchor an outdoor table and chairs while keeping the center of the deck clear as a passage from home to garden.
8. Dining Porch in Florida
Debra Ackerbloom Interiors transformed a simple porch off the back of a house in Tampa, Florida, into an outdoor cooking and dining area. The new outdoor kitchen — complete with grill, sink, fridge and encaustic tile backsplash — brings the action outside. Hot dishes can be easily served up on the adjacent dining table, which overlooks the backyard and pool.
Debra Ackerbloom Interiors transformed a simple porch off the back of a house in Tampa, Florida, into an outdoor cooking and dining area. The new outdoor kitchen — complete with grill, sink, fridge and encaustic tile backsplash — brings the action outside. Hot dishes can be easily served up on the adjacent dining table, which overlooks the backyard and pool.
Clear Images Home
9. Leafy Views in Los Angeles
We’d be happy to park ourselves on this deck for the rest of the summer, like this pooch has. This Southern California home overlooks a slope, with the deck sheltered by a mature oak tree that offers dappled shade. The outdoor room, designed by Stephanie Laney of Clear Images Home, features a tiled bar and an outdoor kitchen as well as a dining table for six, plus an outdoor lounge in another section (not seen).
We’d be happy to park ourselves on this deck for the rest of the summer, like this pooch has. This Southern California home overlooks a slope, with the deck sheltered by a mature oak tree that offers dappled shade. The outdoor room, designed by Stephanie Laney of Clear Images Home, features a tiled bar and an outdoor kitchen as well as a dining table for six, plus an outdoor lounge in another section (not seen).