Outdoor dining is just wonderful. You can enjoy the gentle breeze, beautiful sunlight, and picturesque views of the garden. However, the weather in the UK can lead to outside dining being a problem, but a glass veranda can solve the problem and give you the best of both worlds. You atmosphere of dining outside with the feel of indoors, and when it rains, you don’t get wet.

If you have the right dining furniture, a glass veranda will change how you use your garden. You can now serve food outside without worrying about looking at the weather and moving all the furniture out and in. You can have a permanent dining room outside and use the garden all year round, rain or shine.

Getting the Layout Right

Having a plan in mind with how you would like to lay out the dining area is very important. To start, think about how many squares you need your table to have to comfortably hold the number of guests you will have. A square is very different to an 8 seat table. You will need to add some space for people to walk around and will not like having to walk over other people or have to get out of their seat and walk around a table just to get to their seat.

Set your dining table so that it has the best view of your garden. There’s no point in having a glass veranda if you are looking directly at a fence. If you have something in your garden that you are proud of, such as gorgeous, mature trees, flower beds, or maybe just a nice big lawn, make sure the seating is oriented towards those things.

Also consider the proximity of your indoor kitchen to the veranda. If your outdoor dining area is closer to the kitchen, serving food will be easier and you won’t have to walk through the entire house carrying warm dishes. Some homeowners have a small serving area or bar counter built right into the veranda.

Selecting the Right Furniture

Even covered outdoor dining furniture should be able to withstand temperature changes and occasional dampness. Aluminum frames are great because they are lightweight and won’t rust, but you might need to rearrange the furniture sometimes. Rattan is a great looking alternative, but make sure it’s an outdoor suitable kind as some can be prone to wear faster.

When purchasing cushions to make your outdoor dining more comfortable, be sure to get ones that are designed for the outdoors. Outdoor cushions are made with water-resistant fabric so they dry quickly, and they have removable covers so you can wash the cushions as necessary. Neutral colored fabric is usually the best option, as their bright colored counterparts tend to fade more quickly over time.

Think about putting a rug under the dining table, too. It warms up the space and adds more comfort for your feet, especially in the winter months. Outdoor rugs are made to withstand the weather and elements, but rugs can last a little longer if they are under a glass patio and are not exposed to rain directly.

Lighting for All Occasions

This space is flooded with natural light during the day, but for evening meals and gatherings, you will definitely want some more lighting. Pendant lighting that you can hang over the table is a good option for something that can be a focal point, as well as, providing the light you need. Just be sure to choose light fixtures that are made for outdoor use.

String lights are not as formal if you are just looking for ambiance. They are perfect for casual summer evenings and dinner parties. For a soft glow, wrap the string lights around the posts of the patio or drape them overhead.Make sure you have good and safe lighting when walking to and from the patio deck. Spot lighting or low to the ground lighting helps prevent falls in the dark and is especially important when wobbling a bit due to a drink or two during dinner!

Setting the Right Mood

A glass roofed patio gives you a good start on atmosphere. With a few more details the space can feel like a real dining room. Softening edges with some potted plants helps bring living details to the spaces. Nice herbs are a good option as they have a great smell and you can fresh cut them for cooking during prep.

Heating lets you use your outdoor dining room in the colder months. Infrared panels, patio heaters, or just fire pits can make a comfortable space. It also surprises a lot of people how much a little heat can add to the overall usability of the room!

A console or some side tables against the wall gives a great place to add some decorative details and keep the space open during meals. This gives you more room to set a space for each course and it also helps keep the dining table from getting cluttered and overcrowded.

Making It Practical

Keeping storage on or around your veranda saves time spent going in and out of the house. Items needed for outdoor dining, including placemats, candles, napkins, and serving pieces, can be kept in a waterproof box or cabinet. Everything you need is within easy reach.

During certain times of the day, if your veranda has too much direct sun, you might want to put up blinds or screens. Glass roofs are great for letting in light. However, sometimes you want to reduce the amount of light coming in, especially on hot summer afternoons.

Also, keep your cleaning supplies handy. A glass veranda has a nice shine, and your furniture and any decorative pieces can benefit from good maintenance, too.

The greatest advantage of a glass veranda dining room is the way it changes your attachment to your garden. Eating outside no longer has to be just an occasional meal. It becomes a part of your day. You can enjoy breakfast in the morning sun, lunch with the greenery all around, and dinner under the stars without worrying about rain.