Backyard Entertaining

Warmer weather means making the most of your backyard space. And dining is a simple way to extend your time outdoors. Whether it’s enjoying everyday meals, hosting an intimate dinner party or welcoming larger groups for a barbecue, there are a few things to consider when purchasing patio-dining furniture.

Conversation sets

These are becoming increasingly popular to provide comfortable seating which replicates the living room. They provide a great space to sit back, put your feet up and enjoy a good book in the afternoon and provide the optimal area to linger long after a meal is done. For less formal gatherings, food stations can be set up, buffet style around the perimeter of the set. This allows guest to easily move around and talk to different people while they make their plates of food. Look for a conversation set with matching side and coffee tables so guests have a place to rest plates of food and glasses.

Dining sets

When it’s warm out, why not take your meal outside? Whether prepared indoors or on the grill, outdoor dining sets are great for enjoying any meal. You can bring indoor elegance outside with decorative table linens, candles and colourful tableware. Great for smaller, more intimate dinner parties as well, food can be plated or served family style allowing your guests to remain at the table and lose track of time as they eat.

Flexibility

If you can’t decide between an intimate dining set or a casual conversation set, or if you just want the best of both worlds but don’t have the space, look for a conversation/dining combination. Lowe’s offers the new Prescott dining set which includes a table, a sofa, two end chairs and two stools that can be used for seating or foot rests.

Whichever set you choose, you may also want to consider the ease of adding additional seating like matching chairs or benches for when you have a larger group. Stools are great as extra seating or end tables.

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