One of the greatest joys of summer is enjoying meals outdoors.
Whether it’s a solo coffee on the balcony, happy hour with friends, a weekend brunch, or a family dinner, any excuse is good to move the dining room under the open sky.
With a few well-chosen accessories, eating outside can be just as comfortable (and stylish!) as dining indoors.
String lights, colorful tableware, accent cushions, tablecloths and placemats… it’s the little details that make all the difference in creating a warm and inviting outdoor atmosphere.
Here are 11 great items to get for successful dining on your patio or balcony:
- Umbrella tablecloth
- Sun shade sail
- Placemat
- Water Infuser Pitcher
- Outdoor String Lights
- Portable rolling cooler
- Outdoor rugmat
- Shatterproof wine glasses
- Patio Heater
- Outdoor food cover tent
- Patio Shield Mosquito Repellent
With all this, all that’ll be left to do will be to light the barbecue and invite family and friends.
This colorful tablecloth is as pretty as it is practical since it can be used on tables that have a parasol. It is also easy to clean and machine washable.
For shade and protection from the sun and rain, this shade sail is a great option. It's also an alternative to consider if you don't have an umbrella.
Make way for these pretty placemats to bring a tropical touch to your outdoor meals.
An elegant pitcher with a filter spout for brewed water and iced tea all summer long. Its base also protects the pitcher from shocks.
Outdoor String Lights 25 Feet G40 Globe Patio Lights with 27 Edison Glass Bulbs | Amazon
Lighting is an important consideration for evenings on the patio. This easy-to-install string of lights will bring a festive atmosphere to your balcony.
This is the perfect cooler to keep food and drinks cool. It comes with a bottle opener (handy!) and because it's on wheels, it can be moved easily.
Outdoor Rug Mat- Aztek Black and White 5'X8' Reversible Picnic and Beach Area Rug | Amazon
This rug is ideal for decorating the patio or hiding a slightly damaged floor surface. You can also bring it with you for a picnic or an afternoon at the beach.
No risk of getting shards of glass all over the patio with these beautiful unbreakable wine glasses that can also be used as water glasses or for cocktails.
A patio heater is the ideal way to continue evenings and dinners on the patio, even when the weather is a little cooler. It also allows you to extend (and anticipate) the summer season a bit!
This accessory may look simple, but this type of dish cover comes in handy when you're eating out and want to leave a serving dish on the table. You can spend time enjoying the meal rather than constantly chasing flies and wasps off the plate. I also bring mine when I go camping.
There's nothing more disappointing than sitting on a patio and being swarmed by mosquitoes. This Thermacell lamp has the dual purpose of lighting and repelling mosquitoes with its DEET-free, odorless and flameless technology. And to have tested it, it works!
Marie-Noël Ouimet is a writer and content creator specializing in gastronomy, wine, and travel. She is the founder of the digital magazine Urbaine City, where for over 10 years she has been highlighting the pleasures of the table and the destinations that bring them to life. She also holds the WSET Level 3 certification in wines and spirits.