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Garden design for entertaining: create distinct zones (dining, lounging, cooking), use comfortable seating, install outdoor lighting, provide privacy with hedges or screens, and add a fire pit or outdoor heater for cool evenings. In the Chilterns, where outdoor entertaining is popular in summer, a well-designed entertaining garden extends the living space and adds value to the property.
Why Design for Entertaining
A garden designed for entertaining extends the living space of the house. It provides a place to eat, drink, socialise, and relax outdoors. In the Chilterns, where summers are warm and properties are often used for entertaining, a well-designed entertaining garden is a valuable feature.
The key is to create distinct zones for different activities, use comfortable and durable furniture, install good lighting, and provide privacy. This guide explains how to design a garden for entertaining, with specific ideas for Chiltern gardens.
The 5 Elements of an Entertaining Garden
1. Distinct Zones
Create distinct zones for different activities:
- Dining zone: near the house, with a table and chairs
- Lounging zone: comfortable seating, perhaps a fire pit
- Cooking zone: outdoor kitchen or barbecue
- Drinks zone: a small seating area for pre-dinner drinks
2. Comfortable Seating
Invest in comfortable, durable outdoor seating:
- Outdoor sofas and armchairs with weatherproof cushions
- Dining table and chairs for 6 to 10 people
- Sun loungers for the lawn
- Bench seating for flexibility
3. Outdoor Lighting
Lighting is essential for evening entertaining:
- String lights across the patio
- Path lights for safety
- Uplighting on specimen trees
- Wall lights on the house
- Candles or lanterns on tables
4. Privacy
Provide privacy for entertaining:
- Hedges: beech, yew, or hornbeam
- Pleached trees: for above-fence privacy
- Pergolas with climbers: for overhead privacy
- Screens: timber or metal screens
See our privacy design guide.
5. Fire Pit or Heater
A fire pit or outdoor heater extends the entertaining season into the cooler months:
- Fire pit: wood-burning, 100 to 500 pounds
- Fire table: gas, 500 to 2,000 pounds
- Patio heater: freestanding, 100 to 500 pounds
- Infrared heater: wall-mounted, 200 to 800 pounds
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How to Design an Entertaining Garden
- Plan the zones: decide where the dining, lounging, and cooking zones will be
- Choose the patio size: allow at least 4 by 4 metres for a dining area
- Install power points: for lighting, heaters, and speakers
- Install lighting: plan the lighting scheme before laying the patio
- Provide privacy: plant hedges or install screens
- Choose comfortable furniture: that fits the space
- Add a fire feature: for cool evenings
- Install outdoor speakers: for music
The Cost of an Entertaining Garden
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Patio (50 sqm, porcelain) | 4,000-8,000 pounds |
| Outdoor kitchen | 1,000-10,000 pounds |
| Seating | 1,000-5,000 pounds |
| Lighting | 500-2,000 pounds |
| Fire pit | 100-2,000 pounds |
| Privacy (hedge or screen) | 500-2,500 pounds |
| Outdoor speakers | 200-1,000 pounds |
| Total | 7,300-30,500 pounds |
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Common Mistakes
- Not planning the zones. A patio with everything crammed together does not work for entertaining.
- Not installing power. You need power for lighting, heaters, and speakers. Plan it before laying the patio.
- Not providing privacy. Entertaining is not enjoyable if neighbours can see in.
- Not installing lighting. Evening entertaining needs good lighting.
- Buying cheap furniture. Cheap outdoor furniture does not last. Invest in quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should an entertaining patio be?
At least 4 by 4 metres for a dining area, larger if you want separate zones for dining and lounging.
Should I have an outdoor kitchen?
If you entertain a lot, yes. A basic outdoor kitchen (built-in barbecue and worktop) costs 1,000 to 3,000 pounds.
What is the best lighting for an entertaining garden?
A combination: string lights for ambience, path lights for safety, uplighting on trees for drama, and candles on tables.
Get Help Designing Your Entertaining Garden
If you want a garden designed for entertaining in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire or Bedfordshire, send us a WhatsApp with photos and we will aim to respond within 12 to 36 hours, Monday to Sunday.
Further Reading
Mature gardens require a different approach from newly landscaped gardens. Preserve established specimens wherever possible, as they provide instant structure and maturity that cannot be bought.
Put this advice into practice
Use the relevant CGM tool or follow a related guide, then send us a few photos if you would like a tailored plan.
Sources and citations
This article draws on the following sources. Specific claims are cited inline where relevant.
- CGM field records (2025-01. Site observations from gardens across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Bedfordshire.
- Royal Horticultural Society (2024). RHS Gardening Advice and Plant Finder. Available at rhs.org.uk.
- Met Office (2024). Regional climate averages, South East England. Available at metoffice.gov.uk.
- British Geological Survey (2024). Soil parent material data for the Chilterns and Thames Valley. Available at bgs.ac.uk.