The Prettiest Patios We’ve Seen on Instagram This Month

While the phrase “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen” is typically used as an analogy for not being able to handle the pressure in a situation, right now, when summer is beating down on us and the kitchen is literally too hot to stand, seriously … get out of it. Go get some fresh air outside, pull yourself up a chair, and lounge back in your al fresco dining room.

If you just thought to yourself “Uh, what al fresco dining room?” then stick around, because we’re rounding up some of the prettiest table-wielding patios that will inspire you to spruce up your outdoor space, or, at the very least, help you to virtually escape your backyard-less life.

So often, outdoor dining areas feel so “outdoor” in terms of furnishings. Yes, the pieces will take a far more drastic beating in the elements than they do under A/C, but that doesn’t mean they can’t feel more “designed” than slapping a weather-rated set on your deck and calling it a day. Here, via Article, designer and blogger Emily Henderson outfitted this exterior space with a teak table paired with galvanized metal Tolix-style chairs, both materials that hold up well in the rain and sun.

This little patch of green heaven comes from the brilliant mind of designer Jessica Helgerson. When you really break it down, it’s just a bistro table and folding chairs (those pops of blue help to layer in some more color in the neutral space), wild greenery, and a lantern or two. Let this image be proof that you don’t need a ton of space, or even furniture, to create something magical.

If you’re not following Whitney Leigh Morris, you’re missing out. The designer lives with her husband, toddler, and two adorable beagles in an under-400-square-foot cottage on the Venice canals and makes it look so charming that you’ll question leaving all your square footage behind to follow suit. While the inside of her home is small, they live large in their outdoor oasis, which includes this delightful French bistro set nestled under a smattering of mature trees bedecked with twinkle lights and paper lanterns. I also want to call attention to the pebble ground; it’s a super low-maintenance option if you can’t be bothered with keeping a lawn.   

Another inspired patio space from Emily Henderson makes us wonder if she’s the queen of the “indoor-worthy” outdoor dining room. Once you get past that gasp-worthy cement tile flooring, take note of her use of head chairs. It really drives home the design lesson that we should be treating our backyards just like all the rest of our living spaces to get that effortlessly lived-in and cozy vibe the pros make look so, well, effortless.

Yes, this table from The Joshua Tree House is large for an event, but let’s focus in on what can be applied from it on an everyday-living scale. String lights, if you haven’t noticed, are pretty much essential to achieving a “dreamy” patio dining area. Dried florals are super long-lasting, chic, and are far less delicate than fresh-cut stems. And hurricane lanterns can be used with delicate tapers instead of bulkier pillar candles to set the ambience for an al fresco dinner party we all want an invite to.

Flea Market Fab has another event-to-real-life example for us. She may have put this all together for a party she was hosting, but there are also some takeaways here for anyone looking to keep decorating/furnishing budgets low while still having a point of view. You don’t always need an actual dining table and chairs, Here, you just need a few wood planks as tabletops held up by cement blocks. To up the style ante of such a low-key setup, bring in some rugs, blankets, floor pillows, and poufs. Instant outdoor dinner party!

While this might look like a home, it’s actually the outdoor space of LA store Urban Zen, captured by C Magazine. If you’re after a more casual vibe, try going for a long wood table and benches coupled with simple table linens and place settings. It’s like a picnic table with the volume turned way up.

For something more eclectic, we love the look of mix-and-match seating like this ridiculously enchanting outdoor room we spotted on We Chalet. You’ll want to be sure to stick to a general style and color palette (for instance, all the chairs here have pretty simple silhouettes, wood frames, and are generally the same height all around) so it comes off intentional and not like someone just stepped out into a yard sale.

And finally, from Domino, the home of artist Katie Rodgers validates what we said earlier: Sometimes all you really is a flurry of plants. And maybe a canopy and some string lights. Keep your colors simple, bring in some potted plants and flowers, and you’ve got yourself an Instagram-worthy outdoor dining room.

Which one of these is your favorite? Leave your vote in the comments below!