For the past few years, patios have been booming. In 2014 alone, over one-fifth of all U.S. houses sold included a patio. But if you own one of those homes with a coveted patio included, are you making the most of the outdoor dining space?

A patio, at its best, can become like another room in your house. With the right design, it will be primed for daily use as long as the weather allows. But at its worst, it can become a neglected feature that you usually forget about.

The key to getting the most out of your patio is to arrange it as a cozy area that’s prime for outdoor dining and other activities. Not sure where to start? Read on for our favorite backyard dining design ideas!

How to Set up the Perfect Outdoor Eating Area

Think of your patio as like a second dining room — and much more. It can also serve as a reading nook, a bar area, and anything else you can dream up. But when in doubt, start with a simple dining space. Here are some ideas to get you inspired!

Create a Grill Station

Grilling and patios pair perfectly together. To ensure you don’t neglect your grill or your outdoor dining area, why not set up a grilling station? Position your grill conveniently near a prep area, and you can even add an outdoor fridge if you have space.

The grill station ensures that you won’t have to run back and forth to the kitchen to get dinner ready. Plus, everyone else can hang out comfortably at the table and still socialize with the person in charge of grilling.

Revive Old Furniture with New Paint

Maybe you’ve had your patio furniture for years and it’s looking a little worse for the wear. Or maybe you picked up a secondhand set that you love — except for the color. Either way, a fresh coat of paint can give patio dining new life.

When you love the furniture design, you’ll want to spend more time with it and show it off to your friends. Plus, adding paint lets you update your furniture anytime you want to switch up your decor. This simple decorating step can suddenly make you crave al fresco dining on the daily.

Create Storage Space

If you have a small home or a small yard, storage can be a big issue. However, you can easily put your patio to work by getting furniture that doubles as storage space.

Look for block-shaped seats that have hidden storage inside. Your guests won’t need to see your clutter, and you’ll maximize the use of your outdoor space this way.

Place Your Table Carefully

The placement of your table might be the biggest thing that affects your outdoor dining space. If you’re setting up your patio for the first time (or rearranging it), give some care to where you put this focal point.

Of course, if your patio is small, you won’t have many options. But on a bigger patio, just moving the table around can make a huge difference in how you feel about it.

For example, if you don’t have outdoor cooking options, you may want to place your table so it creates an easy passage to the kitchen. If you do have an outdoor grill or smoker, you’ll want to put the table conveniently near it, but not so close that smoke gets in everyone’s eyes.

If your home has large windows, you may want to put the table near them, to blur the distinction between your indoor and outdoor space.

Finally, try to make sure it’s easy for people to walk all the way around the table. This will promote mingling and socializing at your next backyard hangout.

Build a Bar or Buffet Table

To keep things fun and casual, a long bar or buffet table setup can also work nicely.

Few things are more appealing than an ice-cold drink outside on a warm night. A pretty bar stocked with all the essentials puts that drink in easy reach. And with a buffet table, you can take some of the pressure off of hosting by letting guests serve themselves.

In fact, if you have a very small patio space, this bar or table might become the sole dining area. Just add a few bar stools, and you have a lovely outdoor dining space that requires minimal room.

Add the Right Accessories

The basic furniture may build your outdoor dining area. However, it’s the accessories and small touches that really make it feel like part of your home.

Take some time to select the accessories that will make your patio shine. Different types of patio umbrellas can help lend a different vibe to the space. Throw blankets can help everyone stay cozy even on cool nights.

Even the right lighting, like a pretty string of fairy lights, can elevate your outdoor dining area. How you decorate is up to you, but make sure to take the time to add these personal touches! You can even do it on a budget: try repurposing things from inside the home, or picking up some secondhand or handmade decor.

Create a Bistro Space

To use a small patio area wisely, you can also set up a bistro table that’s the perfect size for two people. It will be cozy and romantic. Plus, you can always store some extra folding chairs in case you have a few more guests drop by.

Build a “Room” with Plants

To make your patio feel even more like its own room, you can use plants and planters to wall off the space. Plus, all the lush greenery nearby will make dining outside feel even more luxe.

Ready to Enjoy Your Outdoor Dining Area?

Whether you serve beers and burgers or iced tea and salad (or all of the above!) these ideas will set your outdoor dining space up for success.

Our main takeaways: add personality, use small spaces wisely, and prepare for guests. If you invest a bit of effort in your patio, all the neighbors will want to stop by on summer evenings!

What will you do for your first patio get-together: grilling, board games, cocktails, or something else? Leave a comment and let us know!