[walkr]

We have a Gardenia with the standard very long, narrow lanai (only 8.5 feet deep). We currently have a round table and four chairs at one end and a chaise lounge and chair at the other end, with nothing in the middle.

I want to put another round table and chairs at the other end and have a wrought iron bench, coffee table and two arm chairs in the middle as a conversation group. I want to have dining space for more than just four people, but we already have the two wrought iron tables (one of which is at our house up north until we retire to TV permanently). But I also want a conversation grouping. My husband thinks this is too much furniture, and it would be a big expense and hassle to bring the other wrought iron set down if it's not going to work. (The one that is up north right now is the nicer of the two by far.)

My other option is to get a long narrow table to put at one end and have the conversation grouping at the other end.

Those of you who have the Gardenia with the standard lanai: How have you furnished this space? Does anyone have a long narrow table and how do you like the way that looks? If you have any pictures, I would love to see them!

Thanks for your help. Wish we were down there!!!

Walkr

[The Gray Hog]

Our back porch area is a quiet resting spot.
On the bedroom side, we have two chairs, one is a rocker with a small end table.
Center is a cafe type table with two chairs.
Open end (with outside door) is a chaise lounge, two seater couch and
large round coffee table.
All furniture is med. brown wicker with cushions.
That is plenty for the narrow space to contain. We have created a nice
slate stone garden area in the front of the house ( in front of kitchen window) and placed a cafe table, four chairs and water feature there for
company.
Hope this and others ideas help you out.

[walkr]

Thanks, Gray Hog, for your response. So it sounds like you don't use that space for dining when you have guests. I have one more question: Do you use your table and chairs at the front of the house much? My husband wants to put the wrought iron bench and side chairs there but I don't think we'd ever sit out there because of the bugs.

Walkr

[SteveFromNY]

We had a rectangular table with 6 chairs, but there really wasn't enough room to keep chairs on both sides.

Additionally, I noticed we had 6 outdoor dining chairs, 6 in the dining room, 4 in the breakfast nook, and 3 at the counter, a total of 19 chairs for 2 people.

So we went with the wicker furniture to create a conversation pit. We have a chaise and a chair at one end, with a table between. On the table in the photo you can see the heater we have so we can use the lanai during the cold winter nights.

There's a couch with its back to the screen and a coffee table in front and a chair in the foreground behind the plant.

[swrinfla]

walkr:

I've struggled with this problem since moving in four-plus years ago. I was excited to find and buy a nice glass-top table along with chairs shortly after getting here.

My dream was to be able to seat six for a meal, at one end of the lanai, and six for drinks and conversation at the other end. Unfortunately, the lanai is really just too narrow to set up a dining table. I do use the table, set slightly catty-whompus (that is, sidewise) but it's still really only good for four.

I wanted six because I often have my brother, sister-in-law, niece, her husband and his mother over. But, I've found it easier to have them eat in my "dining area," instead.

I'm still sort of looking for a less chunky table and chairs, but am not convinced that I'll find them.

Bottom-line advice: measure any piece of furniture you're thinking of adding to your lanai. Measure the space it will go into. Then, do it at least twice more! Think long and hard about how much space there will be in which to move around!

Then, don't worry too much about it! I've found that folks are so much more casual here that our old concepts of "proper," "suitable," "appropriate," and such are worthless!

Welcome to Paradise!

SWR

[The Gray Hog]

Walkr:
The front patio area is a wonderful space for neighbors that pass by to
stop and chat and have a 'cuppa' in the a.m. after I've read T.V. paper
out there.
We seldom have a bug problem out there. It is a great gathering spot or
place to sip suds after the sun goes down.

[walkr]

Thank you, Gray Hog, swrinfla, and SteveFromNY, for your great input and suggestions. Steve, thanks for the photo - I love the way your lanai looks!

You've been a huge help. Now I'm going to quit worrying about trying to feed an army out there and use the space I have in the house for that, and make the lanai more of a sitting area like Steve's. And I'm going to put seating in the front of the house by the breakfast room windows to give us more chances to mingle with our great neighbors.

The funny thing is, my husband has been teasing me for my devoted following of TOTV, and the stock I put in TOTVers' opinions and advice. So I showed him your responses, and now that you have agreed with what he was saying about both the lanai and the front porch, he is singing a different tune!

Walkr

[graciegirl]

Just a little extra thought. Ikea sells outdoor draperies, maybe not touted as outdoor draperies but unlined pairs 50" W X 100" L and they are less than 20 dollars a pair. Two pairs will perfectly cover the end screened area for privacy and are very opaque and very durable and very washable. They also sell rods, also inexpensive that easily install at the top. Our drapes are a neutral offwhite, cream, light beige.(I think that is the ONLY color for this kind.) I believe we paid fifteen dollars a pair last year. The closest Ikea is in Orlando. You can buy them on line.

[l2ridehd]

We have a round table with 4 swivel rockers and a long narrow table with 2 more rockers and 2 chairs, but table can seat 6 for dinner. I leave the long table against the wall with the fixed chairs on either end. I pull it out and put 6 around it if we serve dinner there. Now I also have a caged pool outside the lanai so I have extra room when we seat the 6 around it. Don't have a picture, but will take one when we go down next time.