With the arrival of the summer months comes the desire to get outdoors and enjoy the warmer weather and longer days. For many, the idea of summer vacation is less appealing in 2022, largely because of the long delays many international airports are experiencing, along with a higher-than-normal level of canceled flights.

Given the current nature of travel, the idea of a staycation is proving to be far more appealing. What’s more, summer in 2022 is characterized by record-breaking temperatures and sunnier weather, making the need to seek sun abroad less pressing.

Of course, if you want to make the most of your summertime at home, the ideal solution is to transform parts of your garden to create an outdoor dining area. This will enable you to enjoy freshly cooked meals al fresco style and can make for a far more relaxing and enjoyable summer experience. With this in mind, the following article explains three key ways to create the perfect outdoor dining area.

Start with decking

Every outdoor dining area benefits from being situated on raised wooden decking. This adds a touch of style to the overall design and is practical in that it will effectively support the chairs and table you will add.

When choosing suitable outdoor decking, opt for treated wood that is weatherproof and hardwearing. There are numerous types of wood for decking; hardwoods such as cedar, mahogany, and redwood are good choices once treated with weatherproof chemicals, so they do not warp or age in various weather conditions.

For eco-conscious DIY enthusiasts, bamboo can make an ideal material choice. This is because its fast growth rate makes it an environmentally friendly option in addition to it being an exceptionally strong yet flexible material. For more inspiration on how to choose your ideal decking material, see here.

Consider lighting

Any outdoor dining area needs to provide the option of dining and entertaining friends after the sun has gone down. Being restricted to using this space only during daylight hours will severely limit the time you can spend here, so it is wise to consider a range of lighting solutions for this important part of your garden.

Electrical specialists such as powerpointelectrics.co.uk supply a range of lighting products that can be ideal for outdoor applications. Also, remember to add accent lighting to highlight key features or decorations in the outdoor dining area. Plus, consider adding solar-powered lamps around the perimeter of the space to allow safe movement during nighttime hours.

Add some music

An essential part of the outdoor dining experience is the emphasis on fun and relaxation. You can add to this mood by investing in a good quality voice-operated Bluetooth speaker. Products such as the Amazon Alexa and Google’s range of speakers can wirelessly stream all your favorite music with effortless voice operation.

A modern speaker like this can add atmosphere to any dinner party or family meal as you listen to music while tucking into tasty food and enjoying good company. In 2022, there are so many different kinds of such devices on the market to suit most budgets –these are some of the best choices.