Covered Outdoor Dining Area

About This Project

We created a beautiful covered outdoor dining area in Berkhamsted, designed to extend the homeowners' living space into the garden regardless of the weather. The foundation was prepared with a compacted sub-base and sand-bedded natural stone paving slabs, chosen for their warm tones and slip-resistant surface. The timber frame canopy was constructed from planed and treated softwood with a polycarbonate roofing panel that allows natural light to filter through whilst keeping rain off the dining area below. Integrated raised planting beds built from matching stone provide a natural border and were planted with a mix of herbs and ornamental shrubs, adding greenery, fragrance, and screening. We installed outdoor-rated double sockets and a weatherproof consumer unit, allowing the family to plug in festoon lights, an electric heater, or outdoor cooking appliances with ease. A low seating wall around the perimeter doubles as additional casual seating for larger gatherings. The wider garden was re-landscaped to tie everything together — new turf was laid for the lawn area, natural stone stepping stones were set into the grass to create a pathway, and decorative gravel paths edged with steel strips provide a clean, contemporary connection back to the rear of the house. The finished result is a versatile outdoor room that the family uses year-round for dining, morning coffee, and weekend barbecues.