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Winter is the perfect time to gather with family and friends for cozy meals and unforgettable moments.

Whether you’re enjoying the warmth of your dining room or the unique charm of brisk alfresco entertaining with a hot drink in hand, each setting provides wonderful opportunities to celebrate the season.

The Balmoral 50 includes large indoor and outdoor dining spaces that can be connected by opening large glass sliding doors.

Embracing Winter Dining Indoors

Indoor dining in winter can be a heart-warming experience when you create an inviting atmosphere that encourages comfort and connection.

The Balmoral 50 includes a large dining room as part of the entertaining hub – perfect for hosting social gatherings, congregating, or enjoying dinner each night with your family.

Make your family setting a little cosier with soft, warm lighting to create a welcoming ambience. Different light sources enhance the magical glow, including lamps at the edge of the room and candles in the centre of your table.

Long meals and celebrations are better in comfort. Cushions and throws in charming, seasonal tones ensure that your dining chairs are cosy and perfect for long evenings. Add winter-themed decorations like pinecones, berries, and rustic centrepieces to your dining table to enhance the aesthetic.

The Dennis Family Homes Interior Design team suggests deeper colours and warm tones. Bring these deeper shades into your space through brown cushions, neutral throws and terracotta placemats.

Natural foliage compliments any interior, so bring the outdoors inside with potted plants along the perimeter of your dining room. Select the right plants to ensure they’ll last even with minimal sun. The large dining room in the Balmoral 50 is the perfect location for a plant as its large windows ensure as much sunlight as possible and the proximity to the alfresco area means better airflow.

As demand for formal dining rooms has decreased, the central family hub has become the preferred space to bring everyone together. Surrounded by family, a restful dining room in winter is the perfect setting for a winter warmer meal. Make a tried and tested comfort meal that your family will love, like a stew, casserole, or pie.

Don’t forget dessert! Winter is the best time to enjoy hot treats like apple pie, hot chocolate, and melting, warm cookies.

After dinner, consider turning the dining room into a game night hub. Board games and card games are great ways to keep everyone entertained.

Using Alfresco Areas in Winter

While it might seem unconventional, using your alfresco area in winter can be an exciting and unique way to dine. With a little preparation and the right setup, you can enjoy outdoor meals, even in cooler months.

Keep warm during cool days and nights with the perfect patio heater.

You can find outdoor heaters in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles to suit your needs. For example, conventional heaters and table heaters can be installed close to your party, while fire pits and chimeneas create warmth and a stunning focal point when entertaining.

Toasting marshmallows around an open fire is the perfect way to keep warm at night.

Serve hot beverages like mulled wine, hot cider, or hot chocolate to warm your guests from the inside out.

Keep the good times going even after the sun has set with the right lighting. String lights create a charming atmosphere, particularly when they are hung along the alfresco covering. Use lanterns and candles for table top lighting for a soft glow that enhances the winter ambience.

In addition to lighting, soft furnishings make a big difference when decorating your outdoor dining space. Provide guests with warm blankets and soft cushions to keep warm and cosy during the evening.

Carry your winter theming outdoors for a cohesive look or use your indoor dining room to lay out delicious food, leaving your alfresco space as a casual space for gathering.

The Balmoral 50 features a large 16 square metre alfresco, so near to the meals area and kitchen that even while preparing food, you won’t miss out on the fun. In addition to the open dining room, the large kitchen with its 2.98 metre-long island bench makes the perfect buffet space and acts as another table to hold platters and drinks.

Browse the Balmoral 50 at Peppercorn Hill Estate, 24 & 26 Warrnambool St, Donnybrook, VIC 3064.

For Whatever Home Means to You

Winter dining is all about creating warm, inviting spaces where family and friends can gather and enjoy good food and each other’s company.

Whether you’re dining indoors with cosy lighting and comfort food or embracing the unique experience of alfresco dining with heaters and warm blankets, the key is to make the most of the season’s charm.

In today’s evolving world, ‘home’ means more than just a roof over one’s head.

It embodies values, ideals, personalities, and dreams.

Whether it’s a busy household or a peaceful sanctuary, Dennis Family Homes works with families of all shapes and sizes to create a space that truly feels like home, reflecting your unique needs and aspirations.

Contact the Dennis Family Homes team today to start building your dream home.

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