While any typical eating space offers a pleasant place to enjoy a morning repast, there’s something especially delicious about outside dining. Even when the weather switches from summer to fall, it’s nice to have a backyard escape where a body can enjoy a plate of eggs and bacon, a stack of pancakes, or simply a steaming cup of coffee. Fanciness is not required. You can make a perfectly cozy and lovely little section of the outdoors your personal breakfast getaway any day of the week. Here are several suggestions on how to prepare an outdoor breakfast nook.
Make the Sun Your Ally
Sunlight is key to a pleasant breakfast, whether it’s streaming through the windows or shining down from above. If you want your breakfast nook to be a year-round thing, make sure you situate it in a sunny spot. The natural heat and light offered by the sun will make dining a warmer and friendlier experience, especially when the temperatures start to dip. Of course, a little shade won’t go amiss sometimes, so pick up a porch umbrella or consider setting up a pergola or canopy out back that can protect and shield you during warmer or even inclement weather.
Pick the Perfect Pieces
Choosing the right furniture for an outdoor nook is just as important as picking up the perfect pieces for indoor dining. Keep the weather, insects, humidity, and other enemies of outdoor furniture in mind. If you plan to entertain many, spring for an outdoor table made of metal or treated wood. Many bistro sets are available as well in various materials that resist the sun, rain, and so on. But don’t discount the savings and convenience of a small and elegant folding table and chairs that you can set up for breakfast, then take down and store afterward. A nook doesn’t have to be a permanent setup. Just a separate space with elegant furniture and trappings that can come and go as you please.
Cozy and Enclosed
Here’s one more way to prepare an outdoor breakfast nook. Make a place on your porch more private. The best way, though it’s dependent on the color of your green thumb, is to create a barrier of bushes, forming a wall that lets you dine and chat in peace. Bushes also offer shade in the summer and a small amount of insulation in the cooler months. A portable screen can also help, and many sophisticated variations are available.
Keep It Simple
It’s the simple elements that make it work. Keep it to a table and four chairs, but don’t undervalue the effectiveness of benches, which can provide excellent storage and seating. Tablecloths, napkins, and plates are best appointed with designs out of nature, so they complement their surroundings. Finally, ensure there’s a secure surface for setting out courses buffet style, so you can keep the table clear and intimate. Enjoy your next coffee and croissant in harmony with nature!
