These alfresco dining arrangements will have you eager to dust off the patio set and get outside this season

With the arrival of spring, we’re ready to throw open the doors and take dining outside. You don’t need much to create an inviting setup for outdoor dining. All it really takes is clear skies, warm weather — or a cozy blanket — and something tasty to eat. The addition of twinkling lights, comfortable furnishings and options for creating shade or adding heat makes outdoor dining all the more enjoyable. Take a look at these 10 inspired outdoor dining arrangements, from Melbourne to Milan, that all take eating outdoors to new heights.

Break out of the box with these creative ideas for contemporary plantings and hardscapes

You don’t need a modern home to embrace modern and contemporary design ideas in your garden. In fact, many principles of modern garden design — clean lines, structural plant forms and restrained color palettes — and the peaceful atmosphere they create, can work especially well in more traditional-style landscapes, which emphasize structure and uniformity.

If you’re looking to revamp your garden this spring, take a look at these eight ideas from contemporary gardens for some out-of-the-box inspiration.

See ideas for updating this sometimes-neglected space, whether you have $100 or $10,000

Perhaps you’re dreaming of giving your dining room a complete overhaul (but it’s not going to happen anytime soon), or maybe you like your dining room the way it is but want to change a few components. Whether you work with a designer on a long-range plan to redecorate the space over time or want a quick perk-up now, a dining room refresh is doable.

Even without knocking out walls or making other layout changes, there’s a lot of potential for rejuvenation, including small swaps like new linens and lighting or more substantial changes such as a new table and refinished floors. Here are some ideas to help you prioritize, whether your budget is $100 or $10,000.