Alfresco dining ideas for stylish summer entertaining

On sunny days, choose a natural muted colour theme for your table setting to keep the atmosphere light and cool. Save on storage space by selecting weatherproof chairs, such as these, which can be left outside all year.

Get the look Similar chairs, Oka.

Against the backdrop of stripped wood flooring, these brightly upholstered chairs inject energy into this room designed Tor Interiors. Go one step further and have the backs covered in a contrasting design.

Get the look Interior design, Tor Interiors, torinteriors.com.

Smart white leather chairs and a round varnished wood table set a contemporary scene in this light-filled, open-plan dining area. Position your table to take advantage of the best views of the garden.

Pale greys and taupes form the starting point for a beautiful alfresco table. Add accents of blush on candles and vintage greens on glassware. Muted metals, coarse linens and mottled marble add cool and serene country details.

Let the heady beauty of garden-grown delights inspire your late summer decor. Lay a table ready for a harvest-time gathering with linens influenced by the cutting garden alongside homely and honest serveware and furniture.

A table and chairs set by the river makes for an exceptional experience, especially when accompanied by birdsong and bluebells, and the fragrant scent of lavender.

When creating your outdoor entertaining scheme, why not take the colours of the surroundings as your starting point? In the case of this Provençal terrace overlooking a glorious vista, we needed to do little more than echo the soft olive greens of the fields and hills beyond. For relaxed summer dining, the best thing is to keep place settings simple – it helps guest feel like its time to relax.

Get the look Rectangle garden table, H80xW140xD70cm, £265, Out There Interiors.