When thinking about a romantic evening, there are probably a few typical visions that come to mind for some people. Years ago, it may have been a drive-in movie in a hotrod car, a milkshake with 2 straws, wearing a special someone's pin at the school sock-hop. Nowadays, those romantic nights more likely include dim lighting or candles, soft music, flowers, dancing, or a cozy table for two. Young couples seated at bistro sets sharing a dessert, and then salsa-dancing the night away.

The latter vision also reminds me of ordinary evenings in Europe. Many a night, there are musicians in the street at outdoor cafes, playing for the patrons seated at mosaic-topped bistro tables and chairs. Locals and tourists of all ages gather for a drink or snack, meeting others and just enjoying the fresh air. Just stroll through piazzas in Venice, Italy, or streets in Paris, France, and you're bound to see all kinds of cute, tucked away bistro table sets at restaurants.

The intimate feeling of bistro table sets has entered the home decorating world in the form of patio furniture, with all kinds of bistro table sets being used as a major design element in homes and on porches. Apartments and lofts, small homes with minimal dining space, and porches and patios have become cozy corners with the addition of a sweet table and few matching chairs. Even in homes with sprawling great rooms and hallways, you can probably find a bistro set in a nook somewhere the owners imagined would be a fun place to sit and enjoy their morning coffee and newspaper.

Sounds very nice and relaxing, doesn't it? Time for a reality check!

If you are like the majority of the population, the chances of you sitting down in a quiet corner on the streets of Europe are slim to none. You may have children running around spilling juice and cereal. The school bus comes in five minutes and their lunches are not made. The dog is barking because he needs a walk, and your spouse has an early morning meeting and therefore can't be of any help.

So there you are, newspaper tucked under your arm for later, your coffee in a to-go thermos, picking up the kids book bags as you rush them out the door to the bus. And forget your table being clear enough to eat on anyway. Stacks of school papers, junk mail, and bills (hopefully paid!) are scattered so that you need to make piles out of piles just to find a clear surface.

However, bistro sets can create cozy corners on your patio or own backyard with your favorite garden flower as the centerpiece. You may not be serenaded by a Parisian violinist, but you may find that your back porch is far enough away from your daily routine to make all the difference.

So whether you have a small space to fill on a patio balcony or an outdoor living area where you are trying to create the feel of a European cafe, placing a bistro set on your patio is a great investment.