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The best garden dining sets to buy now
Jazz up your outside eating experience with this stylish outdoor tableware...
There's something so fresh and fun about eating in the garden, carrying breads, salads and summer dishes out from the kitchen into the open air, ready to be tucked into in the sun. It almost seems like everything tastes better, with the bees buzzing and a breeze on the back of your neck. And, luckily for those of us with an outside space, al fresco dining can easily be enjoyed at home during the warmer months.
When it comes to eating in the garden, it's not just about BBQs and picnics on the lawn. Many of us choose to eat dinner outside regularly in the warmer months, abandoning our dining rooms or kitchen tables in favour of the patio.
If you want to jazz up your outside eating area while keeping indoor plates protected, then it's time to invest in a stylish new outdoor dining set and tableware for the summer months. And of course they're perfect for picnics, outdoor concerts and park days too!
From sustainable bamboo and practical melamine to old-fashioned plastic, we've rounded up some of the most gorgeous garden dining sets around now, whatever your taste may be.
Whether you favour the bright and cheerful look or prefer something more Skandi-chic, the humble picnic plate has gone through a major evolution of late. Shop our top picks here...
Royal Doulton Pacific Melamine Dinner Plate 25cm, Set of 4
Royal Doulton Pacific Melamine Dinner Plate 25cm, Set of 4
This pretty blue and white range combines different patterns, such as a more structured check, with messy paint splatters. It creates a beautiful, carefree and undone feel. As well as plates, this range has bowls, cups and serving bowls.
QVC Cook's Essentials 12 Piece Tuscan Garden Melamine Dinnerware
Gorgeous for rustic alfresco dining, these melamine plates mimic the look of chunk ceramic and you et 4 bowls, 4 plates and 4 large side plates all for £29, can't argue with that.
Yvonne Ellen Melemine Dinner Plates
We're obsessed with these sweet animal plates that come in a dinner and side plate size, as well as matching bowls, cups, picnic blankets and even a picnic basket. Full Range
Yvonne Ellen Safari Picnic Dinner plates
This set is possibly even sweeter, an the matching side plate illustrations even line up when placed on top, perfect for gorgeous table settings. Full Range
Yyvonne Ellen Safari Picnic Tumblers
Just look how sweet the tumblers are. The whole Yyvonne Ellen picnic range is so charming and stylish, and you get 10% off your first order.
John Lewis Kate Spade Citrus Celebration Melamine Side Plates,
John Lewis Kate Spade Citrus Celebration Melamine Side Plates,
This kitch Kate Spade set is so punchy and colourful. Side plates can be bought in sets of four while the dinner plates are sold individually.
John Lewis Kate Spade Citrus Celebration Melamine Tumblers, Set of 6
John Lewis Kate Spade Citrus Celebration Melamine Tumblers, Set of 6
And just look at the gorgeous cups to match. These are worth buying on their own, perfect for drinks in the park.
Emma Bridgewater Starry Skies Melamine Plate
Emma Bridgewater is never a bad idea.
John Lewis Fun Plastic Tumblers, 400ml, Set of 4
John Lewis Fun Plastic Tumblers, 400ml, Set of 4
We love the lemons and seashells on these gorgeous cups.
Joules Outdoor Dining Dinner Plate 4pk melamine
These pretty plates from Joules come in a mixed pack of these two floral prints in the same blue and coral colour scheme, creating a gorgeous and lighthearted feel to the table. They also come in a side plate size which is perfect for kids.
John Lewis Bamboo Dinner Plates
This reasonably priced set of four is in soft and warm shades. Mix and match with the co-ordinating side plates, bowls, pasta bowls and cups.
Yvonne Ellen also does a Bamboo set, which is cheaper than the melamine options and gives that lovely soft finish,
John Lewis Bamboo Patterned Dinner Plates, Set of 4, 25.5cm
We love this retro colour wash pattern it's just so summery as are the beachy blue, yellow and coral colours.
John Lewis Bamboo Patterned Tumblers, Set of 4, 400ml
Again the matching cups are stealing the show.
Lakeland Cherry Flower Bamboo Dining Set
This stylish retro set made from bamboo includes plates, cups, bowls and side plates in one easy buy.
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