6 Amazing Outdoor Dining Areas

One of the things that I love most about summer is that we get to eat outside, be it on a restaurant patio, a picnic blanket or a campsite. If I had it my way (and if wasps weren’t a thing), I would have at least one al fresco meal every day—but unfortunately, my balcony-less Vancouver apartment makes it difficult to live out my outdoor dining dreams.

That’s where these homes from the WL archives come in. If I can’t have an outdoor dining space of my own, I might as well try to live vicariously through the people that get to enjoy these ones.

Four of a Kind

Interior designer and recipe book collector France Lefebvre built her dream home with cooking in mind—it boasts four kitchens and two dining rooms! The outdoor dining area, accessed via the lower level, features a Hubbardton Forge light fixture, a Summer Classics table and heaters. It’s the ultimate spot to host summer dinner parties, especially considering its proximity to Lefebvre’s outdoor kitchen and Big Green Egg smoker. Check out the rest of this Okanagan residence.

Into the Woods

Simon Montgomery used nature to guide the construction of this Bowen Island home. In fact, the site itself is almost untouched; the designer suspended it between two rocks to avoid disturbing the land. It makes sense, then, that the outdoor dining area was kept simple. With just a table and a couple chairs, everyone’s focus stays on the trees. See more of this breathtaking cabin.

Welcome to New York

At 500 square feet, this patio is larger than a lot of Vancouver apartments—it even has a fireplace! To ensure the owners could make the most of it, the team at Falken Reynolds decked it out (pun intended) with two seating areas: one for lounging and one for dining. Step inside this Brooklyn-inspired condo.

Dinner and a Show

The owners of this Sunshine Coast home love relaxing on the back patio where they occasionally see whales pass by. If that isn’t enough of an excuse to eat dinner (and breakfast! And lunch!) at the outdoor dining table every day, I don’t know what is. Explore the rest of this cozy seaside retreat designed by Stephanie Brown.

Light the Way

Everything at this off-grid cabin, from the indoor living space to outdoor bathing zone, helps to immerse the owners in nature. The patio is no different. “We situated the dining deck to capture the light at the end of the day,” says architect Laura Killam. Learn more about how this cabin has perfected indoor-outdoor living.

Point of View

It’s hard to believe, but this isn’t the best seat in the house—that glory goes to the cantilevered living room. “When we have properties with views, we often have one space at least where you can stand at the very edge of the glass and not have the deck in front of you,” explains architect Randy Bens. That said, the views from this outdoor dining area are still pretty sweet; it overlooks a gorgeous apple orchard. Tour this light and bright Kelowna abode.