Enjoy outdoor living in the Summer months by following these outdoor dining tips and tricks
![An outdoor dining table is set with blue and white plates, gold rimmed glasses, and vases of blue and white hydrangeas under a fringed umbrella. White chairs surround the table.](https://darlingdarleen.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/07/summer-patio-dinner-setting-with-hydrangeas-WEB-scaled.jpg.webp)
We are the biggest fans of enjoying our outdoor living space in the summer time. When the weather gets warm in Connecticut, you can find us outside loving and enjoying the heat. So, for dinner, we usually eat outside on our patio dining table. Almost every night! To enjoy it as frequently as we do, I’ve learned a few outdoor dining tips and tricks. I have found that everyone loves it and will sit around after dinner watching the fireflies and enjoying the cool breeze. Creating a comfortable inviting patio setting is what everyone in the family loves! Great conversation happen around around our outdoor patio table. With the time we have spent outside, I have learned some outdoor dining tips and tricks.
![A wooden outdoor table set for six with blue and white patterned dinnerware, gold-rimmed glasses, white napkins with gold cutlery, and a vase of blue hydrangeas at the center.](https://darlingdarleen.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/07/summer-blue-and-white-outdoor-dinnerware-WEB-scaled.jpg.webp)
![A wooden outdoor dining table is set with blue-and-white patterned dishes, gold-rimmed glasses, and vases of blue hydrangeas, surrounded by white chairs.](https://darlingdarleen.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/07/outdoor-dining-ideas-and-tips-feature-scaled.jpg.webp)
Outdoor Dining Tips and Tricks
Use Unbreakable Dinnerware
When eating outside, it is worth investing in melamine dinner ware set. I love mine and use it all summer long. I love the color because I can use it for the 4th of July and then throughout the rest of the summer months. They are easy to carry and they are chip resistant and break resistant, so they are perfect for outdoor use. Also invest in acrylic drinking glasses, which is also worth the invest. We don’t use it all the time but we do when we are outside. For utensils, I usually use our everyday utensils. But if we have a large group eating outside, then I will pull out the plastic cutlery flatware. I love this modern gold plastic silverware.
![A neatly set dining table with blue floral patterned plates and bowls, gold utensils, and blue hydrangea centerpiece.](https://darlingdarleen.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/07/summer-picnic-patio-dinnerware-blue-and-white-WEB-scaled.jpg.webp)
Place Mosquito-Repellent Plants in Pot
The one bad thing about eating outside during dusk is all the mosquitos show up to dinner too! So I like to place mosquito-repellent plants in pots around our patio dining area to deter them away. And I really do think it works! Also, the plants add color and texture to your patio. Make sure you check out my favorite planter pots! Here are a few plants that repel mosquitos that I like to use–citronella, lemon balm, floss flowers, lavender, basil, peppermint and marigold.
![A wooden table is set for a meal with blue and white patterned dishes, cutlery, gold-rimmed glasses, and vases of blue hydrangeas.](https://darlingdarleen.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/07/Summer-patio-dinner-setting-with-flowers-WEB-scaled.jpg.webp)
Plant Flowers and then Enjoy!
We planted a whole bunch of hydrangeas in our garden and then we enjoy them all summer long! One of my favorite things in the summer is to cut my flowers and place them in vases. If you don’t have garden space, then plant flowers in pots and place on your patio table. You will be so happy you did!
![Outdoor patio dining set with a large fringed umbrella, a wooden table, white metal chairs with cushions, and hydrangea flower arrangements. The area is decorated with a patterned rug and potted plants.](https://darlingdarleen.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/07/Summer-Patio-Dinnerware-setting-WEB.jpg.webp)
![Outdoor patio with white table and chairs under a large white umbrella, set with plates and flowers. White siding, large window, and door in the background. Various green plants and flowers around.](https://darlingdarleen.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/07/summer-picnic-patio-dinner-WEB-scaled.jpg.webp)
Create an Inviting and Welcoming Outdoor Space
I’ve mentioned this in other outdoor living post, but create an inviting and welcoming outdoor space. I love to make my patio space like my indoor dining room. So I have a rug under my outdoor table and cushion cover patio chairs. This makes it so we enjoy sitting outside for much longer.
![A patio dining area with a white table, six white chairs, and a large white umbrella. The table is set with dishware and decorated with blue hydrangea flowers.](https://darlingdarleen.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/07/outdoor-dining-table-style-WEB-1024x683.jpg.webp)
SHOP THE POST:
![Outdoor patio dining room setup featuring a wooden table, two chairs with cushions, an umbrella, string lights, ceramic dinnerware, lanterns, decorative gold placemats, a white cooler, and potted plants.](https://darlingdarleen.com/wp-content/smush-webp/2024/07/Outdoor-Dining-room-Amazon-scaled.jpg.webp)