Martha Stewart's Top Tips For A Beautiful And Functional Outdoor Dining Setup

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When it comes to entertaining, Martha Stewart likes to think outside of the house. Because nothing brightens up a dinner party — or an afternoon barbecue — like a bit of sunshine and a cool breeze. "I love to entertain and I especially like entertaining outdoors," the lifestyle doyenne shared in a 2013 YouTube video, highlighting the best ways to create a patio space. Still, she acknowledged, "Finding the right spot in your backyard, setting a pretty table, making appropriate seating, it all takes a little bit of organization."

But of course, she's found the right recipe. "First of all, you have to figure out what you want that whole space to be: Do you want it for sitting and dining? Do you want it for relaxing?" Stewart outlined in a 2026 video. "Do you want it so it will be a gathering place? Do you want it for a more solitary environment? So many things you have to take into consideration." 

Stewart has an eye for such details. From the best layout for your outdoor entertaining space to the lighting that sets the right vibe, the consummate hostess is dishing out her best advice for dining al fresco.

To properly serve up an outdoor dinner party for her guests, Stewart starts by slicing up the backyard. "Divide a patio space into rooms," she advised in her 2013 YouTube video. "One section just for dining, so you would have a large table and enough chairs to go around that table. Another space should just be for seating and talking." And the final course, she continued: "Make sure that you have room for the barbecue that isn't in a prevailing windy spot."

Another way to make your patio the ultimate outdoor entertaining destination is to add a fire pit. With Home Adviser setting the cost anywhere from $200 to $3,000, it's a doable way to extend patio season into the colder months. Those with smaller spaces could consider a tabletop option like this Indoor/Outdoor Concrete Tabletop Fire Bowl from Terraflame by Solo Stove.

As much as you want outdoor events to be, as the kids say, "fire," you'll also want to avoid making it a hot mess. That means setting up your dining space in an area that isn't directly in the sun — ideally a spot with some shade. Stewart's go-to is the sunken garden in her Bedford, N.Y. home "that I put right outside my kitchen door," she detailed in her 2013 YouTube video. "It's a very nice spot that's shady, protected, rarely windy. It looks up at the sky. There's no trees obstructing the view, so at night you can see the stars."

To figure out which direction to head, grab a compass and figure out where to place your patio according to where you live. Because the sun sets in the west, if your backyard space faces that direction, it's going to receive more sun in the afternoon. That's great for cooler evenings, and also means you might not need extra lighting like those with east-facing backyards. But if you're concerned about your dining area being exposed to the sun's harsh rays, there's another way you can throw some shade. "Add protection," Stewart offered in her 2026 video. "I'm finding that umbrellas are so useful."

Choosing the right patio set is not the time to throw caution to the wind. Unless you want to spend your life ferrying a table and chairs indoors every time the weather turns, you want to be sure whatever furniture you purchase is designed to withstand inclement weather, including rain, snow, and the sun's intense rays. "Choose a set that's made out of materials that weather well," Stewart stressed in her 2013 YouTube video, "[that] won't rust, won't corrode, won't fall apart — [it's] very important to get a well-made construction."

Among the best building blocks for outdoor furniture are aluminum, which is rust-proof and weather-resistant; wrought iron, a tough, malleable metal; steel, one of the strongest common metals; and synthetic resin in a wicker weave. When choosing durable furniture materials, consider your local climate. If your area is prone to high winds, steel or wrought-iron might be a smarter choice than lightweight aluminum.

Stewart certainly isn't knocking the look of hardwood for an outdoor patio set. "Cutting down a large yew tree at my former East Hampton home, I decided the lumber would make a beautiful table for my new pavilion outside my pool," the Stewart detailed on her blog. 

Turning to Peter Billow, owner of Peter H. Billow Fine Woodworking in Brooklyn, Stewart had him transform her lumber into 300-pound dining tables sturdy enough to withstand even the highest of winds and other outdoor elements. "English Yew ranges from durable to very durable when it comes to decay resistance," Stewart explained. "And, it is also resistant to insect attack. I knew it would be perfect here at the pavilion."

If you don't have a yew tree at the ready, consider teak, which may be pricey but is highly resistant to both mold and weather. Its denser nature naturally repels water and limits cracking. However, you will have to treat it regularly with a teak sealer. IPE, sometimes called ironwood or Brazilian walnut, is another strong option. The dense tropical hardwood resists rot and decay.

There's no need to give rough-looking outdoor furniture the brush-off. "A new coat of paint can totally refresh and transform a piece of outdoor furniture," Stewart insisted in a 2022 blog post. Which is why she decided to overhaul her set by covering it in her signature warm gray hue. "Some of the items were old, weathered, and in need of attention," she explained, "while others were simply the wrong shade or color."

To pass this DIY test with flying colors, follow these easy tips for painting outdoor furniture. After you've done any minor repairs, you'll want to hose the pieces down, then sand any spots where the paint is flaking off. After that, find a safe painting space. Use a shady spot, if possible, as high temperatures and humidity can cause issues as the paint dries.

Stewart explained the next steps. "The furniture pieces needed to be primed, dried, and finally painted with an oil-based enamel finish. This project took several days to complete, but I am happy with the final results and every piece looks great."

 To ensure your guests feel their best at your outdoor events, "Make sure the seating is comfortable," Stewart stressed in her 2013 YouTube video. That means paying attention both to how the chair feels — i.e., can guests really sink themselves into it without it feeling too stiff — and the atmosphere of the whole seating area. Take care not to squeeze too many chairs into a cramped space. As Stewart put it, "Make it spacious and roomy."

Though comfort isn't a one-size-fits-all situation, there are a few factors to consider when shopping for that relaxed vibe. A deep-seated lounge chair, for instance, offers a bit of space to sink into. An upholstered outdoor dining chair, meanwhile, usually has a more ergonomic shape. And, for some, an Adirondack chair is the best spot to lean back, with its reclined angle and wide armrests. So why not test a few styles out for yourself?

To set the right vibe for any outdoor fete, shed a little light on the situation. Asked for her top piece of advice for creating a festive feel, Stewart suggested stringing outdoor lights. While styles abound, she likes to lean into classic bistro lights in crisscrossing patterns, which is one way to illuminate outdoor spaces without the hassle of hardwiring lights.

To avoid the complex installation process of wiring into your home's electrical panel, opt for lanterns, outdoor lamps, and various solar-powered options. If sconces are your thing, look for a wireless version you can install with ease.

When it comes to her outdoor kitchen, Stewart doesn't skimp on serving sizes. Asked about the ideal setup for a backyard cookspace, Stewart told Frederic Magazine, "It has to be very utilitarian." The layout at her sprawling New York estate is certainly high on function. "The one I have in Bedford has a huge freezer and refrigerator, three stoves, a workspace, and a long open pantry with all the ingredients," Stewart detailed. "If I don't have something in the farmhouse kitchen — evaporated or condensed milk, say — I go straight outside and it's there. We keep that pantry thoroughly stocked."

While a grill and fridge are fairly standard, you can really cook up the ultimate entertainment space with these essential outdoor appliances. For enhanced meal options, consider investing in a pizza oven, outdoor smoker, or flattop grill. Or, consider a warming drawer to keep your entrees ready to serve.

To make outdoor entertaining a breeze, Stewart doubled down on her collection of kitchen supplies. Storing a second set in the flower room at her New York farm means she doesn't need to be carrying various tools or serving dishes back and forth from her indoor kitchen when she's hosting. 

Purchased from a Maine bakery, the metal cabinetry "fits perfectly in the space," she shared in a 2024 blog post. The material is particularly suited to outdoor living. As Steweart noted, "Industrial rolling restaurant storage units made in stainless steel are easy to keep clean."

However, avoid Windex glass cleaner, as its ammonia can damage your stainless steel appliances over time by eroding the layer of chromium oxide. Instead, use a product meant to treat stainless steel, such as Method Stainless Steel Clean + Polish.

Stewart isn't one to cook with gas. "I prefer real wood or charcoal to gas," she detailed in a 2023 Instagram post, "and I ignite the old-fashioned way, with kindling, to create a hot, slow fire that will sear and cook any burger to the desired doneness." But what really causes Stewart's heart to flip is the overall look of her backyard grill. "You want to have something that looks really pretty in your yard," she shared in a 2023 YouTube video. "Grills can be god awful ugly and they work, but they're not so pretty sometimes."

Stewart is partial to the Kamado from Grill Dome, which consists of heavy-duty heat-insulating ceramic and is customized to her preferred Bedford gray hue. "I saw this grill in Texas, on my last visit to Dallas... This is the most beautiful grill that I have ever laid eyes on." 

Stewart is serving up worry-free meals on a melamine platter. Stewart raved about the lightweight, shatter-resistant plastic on "The Martha Stewart Show," describing it as "virtually nonbreakable... It's especially great for your kids' parties, or for adult parties on the beach, too."

Since melamine pieces are generally inexpensive, you can snap up dishes in various colors and patterns. Threshold's Coastal set, for instance, gives a luxe look for just $3 a plate. However, one thing you can never do with melamine is put it in the microwave. Unless that melamine mug is marked as microwave safe, higher temperatures can cause the internal structures to break down, causing chemicals to leak into your food over time.