Outdoor dining spaces extend the home into the landscape, pairing generous seating, well-scaled tables, and integrated grilling areas for relaxed meals and easy entertaining. Thoughtful layouts create welcoming outdoor rooms for gathering, cooking, and enjoying meals together.
design element Outdoor Dining
outdoor dining as a natural extension
A well-designed outdoor dining space can transform a backyard into a natural extension of the home, creating a setting that feels effortless, comfortable, and inviting. Stone patios and masonry walls provide a solid foundation, while wood or composite tables, built-in grills, and subtle lighting support everyday use and entertaining alike.
Thoughtful layout is key and requires clear circulation, intuitive placement of cooking elements, and well-defined seating create a space that feels natural and inviting. Surrounded by plantings that soften edges and add privacy, outdoor dining encourages longer meals, casual gatherings, and time spent outdoors, rewarding homeowners with a more livable, social, and flexible landscape.
Thoughtful layout is key and requires clear circulation, intuitive placement of cooking elements, and well-defined seating create a space that feels natural and inviting. Surrounded by plantings that soften edges and add privacy, outdoor dining encourages longer meals, casual gatherings, and time spent outdoors, rewarding homeowners with a more livable, social, and flexible landscape.
common outdoor dining questions
1. What is outdoor dining in landscape design?
Outdoor dining refers to dedicated landscape spaces designed for eating and gathering, often incorporating patios, seating, and cooking elements.
2. Should outdoor dining be located near the house?
Placing dining areas close to the kitchen improves convenience, though larger properties may support more remote dining spaces.
3. What furniture works best for outdoor dining spaces?
Weather-resistant materials such as teak, metal, and high-quality composites perform best in outdoor settings.
4. How does wind affect outdoor dining comfort?
Wind can reduce comfort, but planting, walls, and screening elements help block exposure and improve usability.
outdoor dining, designed to integrate
Outdoor dining is most successful when it’s designed as an integral part of the landscape rather than an afterthought. The best spaces anticipate how people move, gather, cook, and linger, placing dining and cooking areas where they feel intuitive, comfortable, and connected to the rest of the property. Durable materials, flexible layouts, and thoughtful plantings support both casual meals and larger gatherings, creating a sense of enclosure.
If you’re considering how an outdoor kitchen or dining area could fit into your property, contact us today,. We'd be thrilled to share more examples of our work and discuss how a Blade of Grass can help design, build, and maintain a space that feels natural to your home and property.
If you’re considering how an outdoor kitchen or dining area could fit into your property, contact us today,. We'd be thrilled to share more examples of our work and discuss how a Blade of Grass can help design, build, and maintain a space that feels natural to your home and property.
read our outdoor dining blog posts
Top 10 Things to Consider When Designing an Outdoor Dining Area
Designing an outdoor dining area involves more than choosing furniture. This guide highlights the design factors that influence comfort, durability, and usability, from layout and materials to climate and landscape integration, with a focus on New England conditions.
Patios, Walkways, and Retaining Walls: Which Hardscaping Features Add the Most Value?
Stone patios, walkways, and retaining walls boost home value, solve landscape issues, and add function. Learn which of these hardscaping projects offer the best return for your outdoor space.
explore other design elements

Water Features

Winter Decorations

Exterior Lighting

Planters & Containers

Fire Pits & Fireplaces

Gates & Fences

Fall Displays

Patios & Terraces

Ornamental Grasses

Privacy Screenings

Stone Walls & Steps

Pergolas & Pavilions

Vegetable Gardens

Custom Pools

Garden Ornaments

Paths & Walkways

Window Boxes

Decorative Wreaths

Shrubs & Hedges

Driveways & Approaches
what our clients say

“Exceptional vision coupled with practical advice. The team worked hard under difficult conditions, the job was done in a timely manner and the outcome surpassed my very high expectations.”
Kathy H.
West Roxbury, MA
“What a great company. The people we work with are responsive, knowledgeable and a delight to work with. They meet with us each year at the beginning of the season to understand our needs and they make sure they meet those needs.”
Helen S.
Concord, MA
“They listened to what we wanted and created an oasis where each month we saw different plants blooming with different colors. Our designer was a joy to work with and she truly taught us about plants and flowers through this experience.”
Jaimin P.
Sudbury, MA
“Their creative vision, thoroughness, and professionalism exceeds all expectations. Further, the Blade of Grass team is exceptionally friendly, responsive and easy-going.”
Lindsey M.
Dover, MA
“They gave me an accurate budget and timetable up front and pretty much stuck to it - much to my husband's delight. They are not pushy about their services which I truly appreciate and which is why I continue to use them for maintenance, new plantings etc. Would highly recommend them!”
Sunitha D.
Newton, MA
“a Blade of Grass was a joy to work with from beginning to end. They were focused on us the entire process from brainstorming, designing, selecting and installation. We love our new landscaped backyard and know you will too!”
Pamela D.
West Roxbury, MA
“a Blade of Grass transformed our front yard from a barren wasteland of wood chips to a stunningly gorgeous garden. In late 2012, we embarked on a major project to rebuild our backyard and add a pool and patio. The result far exceeded our expectations. Heather and her crew maintain all of our gardens throughout the year, and are very responsive to our questions and requests.”
John H.
Weston, MA
“When designing the space Tom considered every detail including privacy concerns, colors, the reuse of existing plants, our likes and dislikes, cost, placement and size of walkways and stairs, shape of pool deck and where snow would be plowed in the winter. The result is a yard we enjoy all year-round. Since its design, the maintenance team at a Blade of Grass has maintained the yard's beauty.”
Dave H.
Waltham, MA
“Joanna had an encyclopedic knowledge of every plant we looked at. The installation crew led by Joel was also terrific. In fact, despite oppressive heat, they removed some old stones in the way and used them to repair and extend a fallen wall - a really thoughtful touch that went above and beyond the plan.”
Betty T.
Lincoln, MA
ready to build your outdoor space?
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