Chic summer buys for outdoor dining and entertaining

Think practical, polished and pretty, says Sam Wylie-Harris

With outdoor living such a huge part of our social worlds right now – and thoughts of sunshine, blue skies and

brighter days ahead – by styling up your outdoor dining space, you’ll be rewarded tenfold when those summer nights roll around.

From fancy furnishings to decorative greenery and on-trend tiki bars to marvellous melamine plates, here’s what’s on our wish-list for al fresco entertaining – whether it’s sundowners a deux, a casual cookout or a more sophisticated soiree... 1

£349, Direct.asda Surely this summer’s must have go-to, this tiki bar can be styled up to suit your sundowner, sarong and swimwear – and the two matching stools have sunshine selfie moment written all over them. 2 Griddle with bracket for square firepit table, £115, Bramblecrest If cooking and entertaining is your passion – and you’re the proud owner of a firepit table – Bramblecrest’s accessories range includes this cast iron griddle for cooking steaks, grilling salmon or chargrilled veggies etc, without having to make frequent trips to the kitchen or fire up a separate Kusintha set of 6 ribbed BBQ. tumblers, 280ml, pink 3 4 M&S Collection jungle recycled glass, picnic collection: set of 4

£35, MADE jungle picnic tumblers,

From your favourite bottle of rose £12; set of 4 jungle picnic

to a pitcher of Pimm’s, these stylish dinner plates, £15; set of 4

blush-pink tumblers are versatile jungle picnic pasta bowls,

enough to hold all your refreshing £15, and jungle picnic

summer tipples. 5 serving platter, £12, Bronx outdoor salad Marks & Spencer bowl, £20; large serving We’re wild about this new jungle platter, £14, and chip ’n’ picnicware, which will make you dip bowl, £18 (other items feel like you’re on safari – and look

from a selection), Next great indoors and out. This striking melamine tableware

George Home garden tiki bar 3-piece set,

shouts designer homeware, without the hefty price tag. 6 Epicurean re-usable rio medallion 26cm melamine/plastic dinner plates, set of 4, approx £29.69, Amazon Enhancing your outdoor tablescaping with a Moroccan style pattern and nod to Marrakesh will spice up all your ingredients, especially if you top up the matching bowls with a delicious couscous salad and mezze nibbles 7 George Foreman GFGBBQ3B portable 3 burner grill gas BBQ – black, £219, Currys A combination of three burners, side shelves, thermometer, storage rack for condiments and automatic ignition (once you’ve sorted the propane gas) makes this BBQ ideal for fuss-free grilling at the drop of a sun hat. 8 Yankee Candle outdoor collection ocean hibiscus, £18.99, Yankee Candle Best known for their scented candles, Yankee Candle’s new outdoor collection features four new fragrances, with citronella and other essential oils at its core. Perhaps the most tropical vibe, ocean hibiscus offers top notes of ripe watermelon, hints of water blossom with musk and sugarcane in the base. Nardi 4-seat dining set, dark grey fibreglass & resin, £425, MADE If your home is more bijou balcony than sweeping lawn, or you just want a lightweight bistro set for easy use, this Nardi collection in dark grey marries function with flair. 10 St Mawes drinks/ planter bar table – small, £850, Lymington bar stools, £280 each, Garden Trading This weatherproof teak table features a galvanised steel trough to hold all those ice-cold wines and beers - so less traipsing off to the fridge once your friends arrive. Designed to be a focal

point, fill the centre with bags of ice and everything will stay beautifully chilled. Alternatively, the trough could be filled with your best bouquet and fresh foliage for coffee mornings al fresco.

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