Ina Garten's outdoor entertaining area is awesome

(Image credit: Lights4fun)

published 25 October 2020

Ina Garten has recently shared an Instagram post about entertaining outdoors during the fall months, and we want to copy everything about her outdoor dining area.

Entertaining outdoors has been such a surprise pleasure during these difficult times. As the weather turns chilly, I’ve done several things to make sure we can continue the fun. First, for safety, I only entertain people from one “household” at a time, so I put chairs at both ends of a 6-foot dining table or both sides of a 5-foot square coffee table to ensure social distancing. Second, although we’re sitting far apart, I want it to feel cozy, so I fill the tables with flowers and candles. Third, I set up outdoor heaters or build a nice fire, plus cushions and blankets for each person so we’re nice and warm under the stars. And finally, since entertaining outdoors is more work than serving inside, I make really easy no-cook appetizers for cocktails and very simple lunches and dinners. This is the time when a take-out pizza and a big Caesar salad makes the best evening for everyone, even the host. Click on the link in my bio for more outdoor entertaining menu ideas! #staysafe Ina Garten
A photo posted by @inagarten on Oct 15, 2020 at 8:15am PDT

It's cozy and inviting – and very well planned for social distancing. With a few carefully thought-out detailing, it's perfectly possible to enjoy your patio or garden when the weather gets chilly. And we all know that food tastes better outdoors (well, that's our theory anyway), so why not give it a go and create your own welcoming outdoor dining nook?

See more garden ideas at our dedicated page.

1. Fill the table with flowers and candle to help guests feel closer

As Garten explains, spacing out chairs for social distancing can make people feel a little isolated; a great way to make them feel like they're close to each other is by filling the center of the dining table with plenty of fresh flowers and candles or lanterns. The effect is like an outdoor hearth round which the guests have gathered to spend time together. It gives the table arrangement more focus.

Let garden lighting ideas in our gallery inspire you.

2. Blankets and a patio heater are a must

Oxidised Cast Iron Fire Pit With Steel Stand by Garden Leisure

Fall is chilly! If you're planning to spend more than half an hour outdoors, you will need to keep everyone warm. Fortunately, there are ways to do this stylishly. Not all patio heaters are ugly: some look like table lamps or floor lamps and will give the outdoor area the coveted outdoor living look. Fire pits are also very useful for conjuring up a cozy atmosphere and keeping everyone warm. Mix and match blankets of different textures for a slightly boho, on-trend look.

3. Keep the cooking to a minimum

If a food celebrity advises you to take it easy on the cooking front, you'd better listen up: Garten says that because serving food outdoors is more difficult than indoors, it makes sense to keep food prep to a minimum. So, think ready-made canapes, a cheese board, and a pizza or simple salad. If you have a pizza oven, you can cook homemade pizzas outdoors without needing to even turn on the oven in the kitchen.

Making pizza with the Gozney Roccbox pizza oven

Anna is a professional writer with many years of experience. She has a passion for contemporary home decor and gardening. She covers a range of topics, from practical advice to interior and garden design.