Balmy afternoons, good company and great food – it’s outdoor dining season and we couldn’t be more excited!
Before pop open the best Australian made wines and before you nibble your way through that home-delivered charcuterie grazing box, there’s a few things that you need to prepare before your guests arrive!
Alfresco dining – it’s the simple solution to those who love to entertain guests at home in the warmer months throughout the year. Moving your celebrations from your dining room to your garden, courtyard or outdoor undercover area of your home. But, if you’re an outdoor dining expert, you would know that it takes more than just good food, wine, music and company for a fun and frivolous occasion. It’s all about the details!
So, to keep you on trend with the latest homewares and style trends, we’ve found the top 10 essentials you need for alfresco dining in 2021!
Image via Adairs website.
Adairs Habitation Natural & Green Linen Table Tablecloth
Apart from the company and the food, what makes or breaks any alfresco dining occasion is ultimately the table. And, before you arrange glassware and decorate with colourful aromas of your favourite meals, you must start with a tablecloth. Adairs Habitation Tablecloth is everything we need for the season. Made from 100% linen and adorned with light, watercolour-like flowers and plants; this tablecloth is just as practical for containing mess as it is decorative.
Image via Adairs website.
Home Republic Raelia Natural Placement Pack
Who knew that after all this time, placements would soon become a thing. But, with Home Republic’s Raelia Natural Placement Pack, your setting will look as stylish as ever. In-theme with this seasons love for that natural timbre and rattan look, Home Republic’s placements will make your guests feel that they are attending a dinner party for your next outdoor dining event. Made from palm fibre and featuring a drink coaster, to clean all you need to do is wipe down with a damp cloth.
Image via Temple and Webster website.
Brunnings Moroccan Citronella Candle
Any Aussie will admit – no one likes to be scratching or slapping away the mosquitos. The simple solution? A citronella candle of course! But, this year, your outdoor dining set has gotten an upgrade. So move over ceramic pots, there’s a new stylish player in town. Brunnings’ Moroccan Citronella Candle is a dripless, natural citronella oil-based candle with a burn time of 20 hours! Doubled with a fruity scent, this citronella candle will ensure your guests aren’t turned off by the smell. Plus, once burnt out completely, you can always reuse the ceramic jar for tealights!
Image via Bed Bath n Table website.
Morgan & Finch Fleur De Lys Outdoor Drinkware
Now that the base of your alfresco table is set, it’s time to add on what your guests will be eating and drinking off. If you’re wishing to refrain from using glassware – which we recommend for any outdoor dining table – you may want to look to Morgan & Finch’s Fleur De Lys set. Made from acrylic with an appearance of glass, this set comes with tumbler and goblet wine glasses, as well as a large pitcher thats perfect for water, punch or even cocktails! If you are sticking to a more basic plate or serving bowl, we suggest opting for a set of glassware that will standout, just like this one!
Image via Bed Bath n Table website.
Morgan & Finch Dragonfly Food Cover
If you’re anything like us, food at any occasion can make or break an event. But, between the wining and dining, somehow there’s always a sneaky fly that tries to sneak in a feast of their own. For your next outdoor dining event, especially in spring or summer, you must have a food cover to keep out the pests. Thankfully, Morgan & Finch’s Dragonfly Food Cover will do the job – in style! Made from a metal meshing, this food cover is adorned in an embroidered dragon fly print to keep your spread still looking glamorous. Plus, pending on your taste, you can also purchase this in a flamingo, palm tree or fish print.
Image via Catch.com website.
Strahl Da Vinci Ice Bucket
Naturally, being the host usually means that you’re doing the most. But, after you’ve dressed the table and cooked the meals, the last thing you want to worry about is having to get up and go inside to the kitchen to serve drinks. Which is where ice buckets come into great use. Strahl’s Da Vinci Ice Bucket is just as glamorous as it is practical. Matching perfectly to any dinnerware set, this ice bucket is also the best option for outdoor dining. Made from polycarbonate, this ice bucket is long-lasting, dishwasher, fridge and freezer safe, and its guaranteed not to chip or crack!
Image via Temple and Webster website.
Temple & Webster LED Vintage Style Outdoor Festoon Lights
As Australia comes into the warmer seasons, any alfresco dining occasion is sure to set place in the late afternoon. So, to ensure you make the most of those balmy evenings, after the sun has set, why not switch on some fairy lights to create a more relaxed mood. Temple & Webster’s LED Vintage Style Outdoor Festoon Lights is perfect for just that! Featuring a warm white globe on a 10metre cable; just string, plug-in and switch on when you’re ready to use. Plus, you can even keep them out year-long!
Image via Temple and Webster website.
Collective Sol Atacama 80 Rust Fire Pit
The beauty of the warmer seasons in Australia means that you can enjoy the balmy evenings when you’re alfresco dining. But, there’s no denying that there is still the occasion of when it gets chilly. Relax your guests and make them feel comfortable with Collective Sol’s Atacama 80 Rust Fire Pit. Weather resistant and made from a heavy duty mild steel, this fire pit comes complete with the bowl base and legs. Great to be used as a fire pit or as a bird bath to attract some wildlife!
Image via Catch.com website.
Original Finska Outdoor Game
Finska is still one of our all-time favourite outdoor games. The game stems from a log-tossing contest in cold, forested Finland; but these days we’ve exchanged Vikings for happy feasting guests, and snowy ice-capped mountains for balmy afternoons at an outdoor dining event. The game is sure to test your aim and spark some friendly competition. The one item you definitely want to have for your guests to play at your next alfresco dining occasion at home.
Image supplied.
Maxwell & Williams Royal Botanic Gardens Beeswax Wrap Set
Is there food leftover from your at-home, outdoor dining event? Well if you’re looking for a sustainable solution, Maxwell & Williams Royal Botanic Gardens Beeswax Wrap Set is everything you need! Made from natural apis beeswax and cotton, this set of two wraps will ensure that your food is kept safe, hygienic and ready to use the next day! Designed in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, these beeswax wraps are reusable, washable and a more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic. Cute, eco-friendly and a must-have!
If you love outdoor dining, then now is the season to have a picnic! To ensure that your spring is in full swing, make sure that you have these 10 Best Picnic Essentials packed and ready to go!
