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5 Summer Tablescape Ideas to Inspire Your Outdoor Dining

MONews
6 Min Read

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A beautiful tablescape will turn your dinner party into an unforgettable event for your guests. Table styling is very similar to interior design. That means mixing layers of colors, textures, and personal tastes. One of the outdoor living trends that has caught my eye this year is getting indoors. We collectively yearn for outdoor spaces that are as thoughtfully designed as our indoor spaces. This heralds an era of upscale outdoor dining. Summer tablescape ideas galore! This season, there’s a strong urge to put away the paper plates and break out some fancy china. How about hosting a dinner party in a nice location?

Our Favorite Summer Tablescape Ideas

If decorating an outdoor table 90% of the time sounds intimidating, don’t worry. Tablescaping doesn’t have to be complicated or fancy. Camille herself loves gathering around the backyard table with her loved ones and is not one to make too much of a fuss.

Camille handpicked the table tops for next summer, and they are all sweet and simple and beautiful. If romantic dinner parties are on your bucket list this season, read on for five summer tablescape ideas that will leave a lasting impression.

Outdoor dining table covered with mustard tablecloth
source: bed thread

Start with linen

A beautiful tablecloth sets the tone for a harmonious table. It takes up the most space and serves as a background for placemats, plates, cutlery, etc. It’s also very easy to express your personality with bold colors or patterns.

The mustard linen tablecloth is the star of the show and because linen is synonymous with summer, it is the perfect choice for a summer tablescape. To recreate this look yourself, match the napkins to the tablecloth and choose a complementary color to match the placemat. Warm pinks or browns go perfectly with mustard colors to create a cozy and inviting table.

Outdoor fall dining table with foldable director's chair

play with patterns

Pattern play has been everywhere this year, and nothing says summer better than gingham patterns. This yellow gingham tablecloth sets the tone for a casual, playful dinner, while matching taper candles add a sweet touch. Patterns like gingham are timeless, and this mustard color transitions easily into fall.

For a maximalist tablescape, mix a gingham tablecloth with napkins and plates in a floral or polka dot pattern. For a simpler setup, there’s nothing wrong with using white dinnerware. Matching the napkin color to the tablecloth will give your table a streamlined feel, or you can choose a more gingham print in a complementary color. The Casa Zuma chairs here are also worth noting. It folds up for easy storage, making it casual, charming and effortlessly stylish.

Simple summer table scenery.

Keep it simple

Not only is summer produce delicious, but the fruits and vegetables themselves are amazing. Celebrating the season means sampling ripe tomatoes, juicy peaches, and sweet cherries. One of our summer tablescape ideas is to showcase the beauty of the season. Let food do all the talking! Placing a citrus dish in the center of the table eliminates the need for fancy decorations. Combining your produce with a classic white and blue color scheme will add a charming coastal vibe to your tablescape. Pair a simple white tablecloth with blue and white plates and finish with blue linen napkins.

Summer table scene with greenery.
source: New York Times Style Magazine

decorate with greenery

Another nod to the simplicity of the season is to decorate your table with herbs and greenery. This tablescape was taken at a dinner party hosted by the designer. Jenny Kane, and her menu centered around thyme. This shows that you don’t need to hire a florist or buy flowers for your table. Decorating with greenery from your backyard or herbs from your garden can create a beautiful feel.

Combining the theme of your dinner party with your decorations is also a very thoughtful touch that won’t break the bank. If this is your summer tablescape idea, use neutral colored linens and dishes. Choosing a creamy white or soft oatmeal color can help your green plants stand out.

Summer tablescape statement seating.

statement seat

I love statement chairs. Who else? Comfortable woven chairs are ideal for summer outdoor dining and can add a warm, rustic feel to the entire setting. Chairs made of wicker, rattan, and cane add texture to the space. The wicker chairs shown here look beautiful combined with the surrounding greenery, light peach tablecloth, and blue napkins and stemware.

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