6 Ways to Create a Dining Space With a View
Enjoy the outdoors while you eat by planning a dining area within sight of the garden
Amanda Pollard
15 September 2019
Houzz UK Editorial Staff. Journalist and content editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Houzz UK Editorial Staff. Journalist and content editor specialising in interiors... More
Dining outside is always enjoyable, but it’s not always possible. However, by positioning your eating area strategically indoors, you can create a space that feels connected to the garden. See how professionals have maximised the view in these dining spots to find inspiration for your own home.
Build in a bay
If your home has a bay window, make the most of it by using the curve to create a cosy dining nook. In this space, the designer has built a bench seat into the bay, adding skirting boards around the base to ensure it blends in with the rest of the room.
A circular table is ideal for a space like this, as it fits the area and allows people some flexibility when choosing where to sit.
Need help with your home project? Browse the Houzz Professionals Directory.
If your home has a bay window, make the most of it by using the curve to create a cosy dining nook. In this space, the designer has built a bench seat into the bay, adding skirting boards around the base to ensure it blends in with the rest of the room.
A circular table is ideal for a space like this, as it fits the area and allows people some flexibility when choosing where to sit.
Need help with your home project? Browse the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Go up and over
To increase your view even more, complement your standard glazing with some skylights. Here, the sloping roof has been fitted with two windows that provide a view of the sky from the dining table.
If you’re concerned that too much sunlight will overheat the room, install awning blinds, as the designer has done here. The blinds are fitted to the outside of the window, so they stop sunlight and heat before it even hits the pane of glass.
Read expert advice on roof windows and skylights.
To increase your view even more, complement your standard glazing with some skylights. Here, the sloping roof has been fitted with two windows that provide a view of the sky from the dining table.
If you’re concerned that too much sunlight will overheat the room, install awning blinds, as the designer has done here. The blinds are fitted to the outside of the window, so they stop sunlight and heat before it even hits the pane of glass.
Read expert advice on roof windows and skylights.
Take it to the max
In a room that doesn’t get too much direct sunlight, go one step further than skylights by glazing the whole roof.
Here, the back window continues all the way up to the ceiling and over the dining table. It works particularly well in a space with a view of a tree, as diners can see all of the beautiful branches as they eat.
A common concern when it comes to glazed roofs is the issue of cleaning, but there are a couple of solutions. Designers often ensure the glass is self-cleaning, or they build in an external ledge to enable professionals wearing safety gear to access the window.
In a room that doesn’t get too much direct sunlight, go one step further than skylights by glazing the whole roof.
Here, the back window continues all the way up to the ceiling and over the dining table. It works particularly well in a space with a view of a tree, as diners can see all of the beautiful branches as they eat.
A common concern when it comes to glazed roofs is the issue of cleaning, but there are a couple of solutions. Designers often ensure the glass is self-cleaning, or they build in an external ledge to enable professionals wearing safety gear to access the window.
Fold away
If your dining table is located next to a window, rather than a patio door, here’s a way to maximise the view.
The window itself is big and covers a large part of the rear wall, so the view is uplifting even on cold days, but the bifold design takes it a step further. The glazing can be folded back, like a concertina, to open up the entire area to the garden in warmer weather.
The beauty of a window like this is that the bench seating can be taken right up to the wall, which wouldn’t have been possible if the glazing came down to the floor.
If your dining table is located next to a window, rather than a patio door, here’s a way to maximise the view.
The window itself is big and covers a large part of the rear wall, so the view is uplifting even on cold days, but the bifold design takes it a step further. The glazing can be folded back, like a concertina, to open up the entire area to the garden in warmer weather.
The beauty of a window like this is that the bench seating can be taken right up to the wall, which wouldn’t have been possible if the glazing came down to the floor.
Pop in a seat
This pocket window has been given an extra boost with the addition of a bench seat along the bottom. The designers have utilised the sill to incorporate a ledge that’s deep enough to perch along.
Diners can sit at the indoor table and enjoy a lovely connection to the garden.
This pocket window has been given an extra boost with the addition of a bench seat along the bottom. The designers have utilised the sill to incorporate a ledge that’s deep enough to perch along.
Diners can sit at the indoor table and enjoy a lovely connection to the garden.
Sit back
It can be tricky to decide whether to have the dining area or the lounge space near the window, as a view from both is ideal. Find a happy compromise by putting one behind the other and choosing a low level sofa that won’t block the view for diners.
Here, for example, the sofas are positioned next to the French windows, but, as the table and chairs are taller, diners can easily see past the lounge furniture to the garden.
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
Tell us…
Which of these dining spaces is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
It can be tricky to decide whether to have the dining area or the lounge space near the window, as a view from both is ideal. Find a happy compromise by putting one behind the other and choosing a low level sofa that won’t block the view for diners.
Here, for example, the sofas are positioned next to the French windows, but, as the table and chairs are taller, diners can easily see past the lounge furniture to the garden.
To see more from any of the designers whose photos are featured in this article, click on the image, then on Learn More if you’re in the app, and follow the links to the professional’s profile.
Tell us…
Which of these dining spaces is your favourite? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Related Stories
Most Popular
6 of the Best Before and After Hallway Transformations
If you’re dreaming of a beautiful, welcoming entrance, check out these makeovers for inspiration
Full Story
Before and After
Room Tour: A Broken-plan Space That Feels Light and Connected
A dingy Victorian flat was opened up to create a sociable space with bags of light flowing from back to front
Full Story
Photo Inspiration
13 Gardens with Wonderfully Wild Patches
By Kate Burt
Take five and be inspired by these gardens that surprise with wonderful bursts of meadow grasses and wild blooms
Full Story
Lifestyle
Neuroarchitecture: Could This Movement Lead to Happier Homes?
Neuroscientists reveal why we love texture, curves and symmetry, and explain how our brains respond to different spaces
Full Story
Most Popular
8 Ways to Connect Your Kitchen to the Garden
Want to enjoy your outside space from inside? Check out how these schemes make the connection
Full Story
Most Popular
Houzz Tour: A Rejig Gives a Family More Room Without Extending
This house illustrates how clever space planning can make a home feel bigger, even when the footprint stays the same
Full Story
Most Popular
16 Gorgeous Cloakrooms With Dark Walls
Need some ideas for your downstairs washroom? See if one of these deep-toned schemes inspires
Full Story
London
Houzz Tour: Style and Function Combine in a Beautiful Family Home
A soft palette, practical storage and plenty of light helped to create an elegant, cosy home for a mother and daughter
Full Story
Decorating
10 Ways to Use Hexagonal Tiles
Softer than squares but more versatile than circles, hexagonal tiles offer the chance to add interest to any room
Full Story
This is our view of the fields from our dining table
The view and the connection with the garden was a priority for us when we started to renovate our house.
Would cost 2 arms and both legs but it has to be No:3 'Take it to the max'.