Summer Decor Ideas for Outdoor Kitchen & Alfresco Dining Space

Hey friends! If you’ve been around for a hot minute, you know our outdoor kitchen and living space get tons of use in the warmer months. I absolutely love decorating and entertaining out here! Since it’s a covered area, we can enjoy alfresco dining no matter the weather. Today, I’m excited to share how I’ve spruced up this space with budget-friendly summer decorating ideas for an outdoor summer tour. Using my favorite vintage dishes and some festive patriotic touches, this area has been transformed into a charming summer haven. Come on in, let’s start the tour!

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Summer Decor For Outdoor Living

Our outdoor living space has undergone significant changes over the past 17 years. What was once a dilapidated cinder block cabin, which we were advised to tear down, has evolved into a charming outdoor haven, an alfresco dining area, and the home of the Dirt Road Grill.

The original structure’s roof had fallen in, and most of the windows were broken. We began by gutting the inside and removing most of the front wall. We originally only added the timber beams for a pergola-style open-air area. However, we quickly realized that covering the roof with tin provided more entertaining opportunities.

If you’d like to see images and more details about the transformation, check out Outdoor Kitchen: Incredible Before & After.

Alfresco Dining For Summer

To create the alfresco dining area, we began with three separate bar-height tables and chairs, which allows us to move them around for different table settings. The open-weave design also makes cleanup much easier in an outdoor space. We have seat cushions that we use on occasion, but we store them when not in use. In addition to the inside tables, we have tables on the surrounding patio area, which allows seating for 20 plus guests.

Red, White & Blue Vintage Tableware

To add a festive summer feel to the alfresco dining tables, I used a mixture of vintage dishes in red, white, and blue along with red and blue glassware. Mini ceramic birds adorn the center of each plate while a red, white, and blue table runner pulls the patriotic table setting together. I opted for thrifted blue placemats and used my acrylic and gold silverware for added sparkle.

Patriotic Centerpiece

To create the patriotic centerpiece, I began with flowers from my garden—a vase and a vintage bowl filled with live gardenias. They provide a refreshing and inexpensive touch.

I combined the gardenias with a patriotic, handmade basket from the thrift store, filled with red vinca plants and several small American flags. I plan to transplant the vinca into flower pots later, making the rustic centerpiece that much more budget-friendly.

Vintage Outdoor Living Decor

We have gradually filled our outdoor living space with vintage decor over the years. The old refrigerator was a free gift, and although it’s over 70 years old, it still works like a charm. The primitive cabinet was a thrift store deal for only $45.00, and it’s hard to believe, but we’ve been carrying around my aunt’s first cookstove for over 45 years.

A thrifted vintage metal cabinet is perfect for storage and doubles as a serving area during dinner parties. We added the DIY Shabby Chic kitchen cabinet a couple of years ago. It was built using reclaimed windows from our 1940s beach cottage. Brad originally envisioned it to house his outdoor TV. However, the glass-front cabinet is adorable, filled with some of my vintage dishes and serving pieces, as well as the TV. To decorate the area for summer, an inexpensive Dollar Tree patriotic garland adds a festive touch. If you’d like more information on how we used the old windows, see the reclaimed cabinet tutorial here.

I created the DIY signage with a vintage and distressed look to represent the time when my dad would open the ponds for fishing. For just $1.00, you could fish all day.

The Victor Junior wood-burning cookstove was a gift from my aunt before we were married. We refurbished it and painted everything black except for the cream areas. We used it in our first home for decoration only. When we didn’t have a place for it indoors, we added it to our outdoor kitchen. We regret having painted over the now treasured vintage green color, but we have slowly been removing the black paint to reveal the original charming color.

Outdoor Kitchen Decorating

The outdoor kitchen is equipped with grills and smokers to accommodate Brad’s numerous outdoor entertaining ideas. We also added an antique cast iron sink that we painted to match the old cookstove’s vintage green color. A recent addition to the outdoor kitchen is the primitive wall cabinet above the smoker, as well as the old camp bed transformed into a utensil rack. The original screen door to the cabin is hidden behind my vintage American flag.

The outdoor grills get a workout during the warmer months.

Covered Boat Dock Transformed Into Outdoor Bar

Next, the grilling side of the outdoor kitchen is the outdoor bar. This was originally a covered boat dock. When we were renovating, the dock had almost completely filled in with dirt and debris where the water previously was. So we decided to completely fill it in and transform it into a bar area. The bar was constructed from gathered field stones from the property and old pier posts that were preserved underwater from the original pier. When Brad pulled them from the water, we were amazed at their condition and decided to add them to the rustic bar. The bar top and surrounding cover apron are made from recycled slate roofing tiles.

Summer Tour Patriotic Touches

Decorating with patriotic touches creates an easy breezy summer feel and is perfect for your spaces from Memorial Day through Labor Day. A patriotic yard flag welcomes you to the outdoor kitchen.

A vintage flag and thrifted red, white, and blue tableware add just the right festive feeling to the outdoor living space.

I keep many vintage dishes on hand in the DIY kitchen cabinet, and these mix-and-match patterns create a stunning table setting that is appropriate for year-round entertaining.

It’s easy and inexpensive to add small flags to your summer patriotic decor. Think outside the box with flags attached to vintage wooden spindles and displayed in an old flower frog.

The natural wood and red ducks, along with a bouquet of colorful petunias, make a charming outdoor vignette.

A rusted cast-iron skillet holds a glass flower frog filled with mini-flags, adding another charming patriotic touch.

Charming Outdoor Surroundings

As you approach the outdoor kitchen, you are greeted with a charming bench nestled into the flourishing landscape of herbs and flowers. Black-eyed Susans love this location and are almost ready to explode with blooms.

Across the patio is another favorite spot where friends gather to enjoy the view and maybe a few roasted marshmallows. Adirondack chairs surround the fire pit, and subdued lighting creates a cozy atmosphere for lazy summer evenings.

I hope you enjoyed today’s summer tour hosted by Cindy at County Road 407. If you’re joining me from Michelle’s Breezy Summer Porch Tour, welcome! Next up on the tour is MIchele at Vintage Home Designs with her Outdoor Summer Home Tour. To follow along on the tour, click each image below.