Whatever style of gathering you are planning this summer, these summer table decor ideas are sure to inspire, and can be scaled up or down, as well as tailored to your color palette, setting and theme. They're the perfect starting point for your summer garden party decor, bringing in summer decor ideas, and outdoor dining ideas to help you host a gorgeous get-together.
'Captivating tablescapes serve as an opportunity to celebrate food, togetherness, and treasured pieces. Whether it is a long table setting for 20, or an intimate meal for two,' says Kate Pechinka, Principal of Kate Kelly Interiors.
We've rounded up some of our favorite ways to curate your summer table decor ideas, with tips and tricks from designers and hosting experts, to ensure your upcoming events are a breeze to plan and a delight to attend.
1. Select a theme as a starting point
Choosing a garden party theme will depend on a number of factors, from the type of celebration it is, to the setting – whether you're hosting at a coastal home, in a rustic kitchen garden, or looking for pool party ideas if you have an outdoor pool, for example.
'Start by choosing a hero piece to build your theme around, like colorful linen napkins or a set of vintage plates, which can guide your color palette and finer details,' Suggests Shannon Barker, Founder of vintage store, Besette. 'For example, a stack of blue-and-white dishes might inspire a seaside Nantucket vibe, while a floral tablecloth could set the tone for a French garden party.'
The season will also play a key part in your theming. 'Since it's summer, I like to use garden motifs like butterflies, bees, and dragonflies, especially in napkin rings or barware,' adds Joanna Buchanan, Founder of her eponymous homeware brand. You can add to that with potted plants such as herbs or chillis as center pieces or piles of seasonal fruit and veg placed in groups amongst the tableware.
Add some personality and a bit of glitz to your summer hosting with these beautiful cocktail picks featuring bee motifs to tap into the seasonal garden party vibe. They'll be a real talking point.
For a little kitchen garden cuteness, we're loving these vegetable print napkins. They're 100% cotton, machine washable, and ideal for gifting to keen gardeners.
Plant up these mini pots with fresh garden herbs, or florals in your theme's color palette for a personalised center piece. Or you can individually place the pots along the table and use the wire holder for napkins and flatware.
2. Layer linens to add depth and texture
'Think of dressing your table as you'd layer your favorite outfit,' says Shannon Barker. 'Start with a foundational linen that sets the tone, then build with pieces that bring texture and history – like a vintage table runner, embroidered napkins, or heirloom lace accents.'
There's no need to invest in a whole new set of outdoor table linens. You can simply opt for a large, plain tablecloth, then switch up the look with different runners and mismatched napkins. 'I enjoy starting with a bold pattern to establish the tone and color palette,' says Joanna Buchanan. 'Adding a table runner over the tablecloth adds an extra dimension and a fun element.'
You can afford to be as bold as you like when it comes to color and pattern for summer entertaining, allowing the outdoors to be your canvas, unlike hosting indoors, where you'll need to work with the existing decor.
And embrace the ease of the season, like Joanna, by opting for imperfect linen. 'It is easy to wash, and once it's dried, you don’t even have to iron it – a little rumpling is acceptable for summer,' she says.
Inspired by hand-painted vintage tiles, this linen tablecloth makes an eye-catching base for you to build your table setting on.
Made from 100% cotton in two bright and cheerful block printed designs, these napkins will enliven any summer table.
No need to worry about spillages with these water resistant place mats, which have a woven finish and beaded edging to add texture and interest to your place settings.
3. Mismatch tableware for an eclectic look
Gone are the days of matching everything perfectly. Now you can afford to be brave and try out all sorts of combinations, pairing old pieces with new, and experimenting with color and pattern. 'Look for timeless pieces with character. I’m always drawn to blue-and-white ceramics, mismatched vintage plates, and colorful patterned linen napkins,' says Shannon. 'Your tableware should feel personal and meaningful - an expression of your creativity and the way you love to gather'.
Kate adds 'authentic decor that has been collected over time or purchased from local artisans creates an intimate connection for guests. Special pieces promote bonding through conversation and storytelling.'
Also, think about practicality. If you're feeding a crowd, high-end disposable plates will allow you to ring the changes without spending big. And if you're hosting a poolside brunch for example you might not want to use your best china for fear of breakages, so outdoor safe tableware such as melamine or bamboo is a good choice. Alternatively, there are a number of rental services where you can hire tableware for your event, so there's no need to buy and store a large collection.
You can afford to swich up your look with disposable plates and these Pavilion ones come in so many stylish colors and designs that you can mismatch to your heart's content.
Made by Italian artisans, these ceramic plates feature unique grooves which come from being spun on a pottery wheel, while the imperfect stripes add a fun touch to your table.
In pink and white check enamel with a bronzed stainless steel rim, this MacKenzie Childs serving platter brings a touch of elegance and designer charm to the table. Perfect for serving up sharing dishes or finger foods.
4 Make a feature of flatware
'Flatware is often overlooked, but it truly makes a difference in a tablescape,' says Shannon. 'Choose pieces with timeless shapes, delicate engraving, or unique handles to add personality and charm to your table. It’s all in the detail.'
This is an opportunity to dust off your thrift store buys, or be more bold in your choice of flatware to make it a real talking point. It doesn't have to be plain stainless steel, look to brushed gold, hammered or engraved detailing, or handles in a variety of contrasting materials and colors to elevate your place settings.
'Your flatware can complement an heirloom silver pitcher or the colors in your patterned dishware,' adds Kate. 'Each piece on the table should be given some negative space to avoid crowding and to ensure that it's individually noticed, appreciated, and enjoyed. Flatware is no exception to that rule.'
Crafted in Italy by artisanal metalworkers, this set features distressed and hallmarked cast pewter handles for an antique aesthetic, while the fork tines and spoon bowls are in stainless steel to ensure maximum durability and longevity.
Go for gold with this modern stainless steel set, which is available in ten different color options for the handles to suit your dining set-up. They're dishwasher safe too, unlike vintage pieces.
Made in France by experts in flatware, Sabre, this distinctive set is made from resin to look like horn for a vintage feel, which is combined with a classic bistro design for more relaxed occasions.
5. Make a statement with glassware
Glassware is an easy way to bring color and character to a table as there are so many different styles and shades to choose from. They don't have to match – a mix of different shaped and sized glasses in the same color can look really effective. They can also double up as bud vases for seasonal blooms.
'The most successful tablescapes keep the eyes engaged through scale, color, and repetition,' says Kate. 'Even your water and wine selection can become an important part of the color story with beautiful blue glass or dark dramatic bottles.'
Again, you can turn to thrift store finds and vintage pieces that might be hidden away in the back of the sideboard to add a storied and collected element to your look.
'I’m passionate about collecting unique glassware because it truly elevates a table setting,' says Cari Ann Carter, Founder of the Cari Ann Carter Group and lifestyle platform, Fresh Roots Living. 'Distinctive glassware pieces like vintage water glasses or artisanal wine glasses add personality and sophistication that transform any dining experience.'
With a 1920s vibe, these two-tone coupe classes bring a bit of flapper-style glamor to your table. In hand-blown glass, they come in 5 different shades to suit your color palette.
Created exclusively for West Elm by designer, Aaron Probyn, these tall and versatile glasses are made from durable acrylic, ideal for outdoor dining, and can be put in the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
This textured wine glass has a smoky hue that feels dramatic and a little different for your summer table decor. But it's also sturdy enough for everyday use.
6. Curate your place settings for a personal touch
Place settings are a surefire way to make your guests feel special and looked after, from personalised name cards and hand-written menus, to single stems popped in a napkin ring, it's the little details that show you've put a lot of thought into your event.
'Personalize your place settings with custom embroidered napkins, or even ribbons tied around menus, cutlery, or wine glass stems,' suggests Shannon.
Another option, if you don't have time for embroidery, is calligraphy, which elevates a place setting, particularly if your usual handwriting isn't that neat.
'Adding handwritten calligraphy can turn a decorative item into a meaningful keepsake,' says Amy Dubois, calligraphy artist at Amy Sue Designs. 'Acrylic name tags or boxes filled with bright candy, or sea shells personalized with the guest's name in calligraphy double as party favors. Sea shells work well, too, for beachy themes.'
These acrylic butterfly drink charms can be written on with your guests' names to add a personal touch and also ensure that nobody loses their drink. You could put them on the place settings at the start of the event.
Choose from a selection of pre-designed menu cards from Papier, and order any number from 10 to 1000 depending on the scale of your party. Or you can upload your own design to really tailor it to your theme.
Add some floral flair to your place settings with these colorful 100% cotton placemats from the Rifle Paper Company x The Company Store collection. There are matching items available too, from linens to melamine.
7. Bring in natural elements for a nod to the season
'One of my favorite ways to incorporate natural elements is by mixing in whatever’s in season,' says Shannon. 'Think fresh herbs in vintage pots, a bowl of fresh citrus at the center of the table, or a few garden clippings tucked into antique bud vases.'
Think about grounding your summer table decor in the sense of place. If you have an abundant garden, replicate that at your table, with blousy florals and delicate ferns in natural arrangements. 'Layer in organic elements like fresh blooms, greenery, and seasonal vegetables – this ensures our table displays are always fresh, seasonal, and authentically connected to the landscape around us,' says Cari Ann.
Alternatively, if you live near the coast, consider using pieces of driftwood, coral, grasses and clusters of shells in your summer table decor. 'Tumbled pebbles can be set between glass votives; seashells are natural vessels for salt and pepper, and stoneware plates are a great way to weave a connection to a coastal setting because of their tactile and imperfect appeal,' adds Kate.
I love the organic shape of this bowl as it lends itself to so many summer table decor ideas. Fill it with seasonal fruit, a low, natural display of greenery or sand, pebbles and sea shells for a coastal center piece.
There are plenty of options to choose from in this vintage-style set of bud vases. Group together in odd numbers with plentiful displays, place along the center of a table, or arrange a large cluster at different heights as an alternative center piece.
These napkin rings are made of resin, but if you live near the sea, you could go beach combing and source your own shells and broken pieces of coral to attach to a set of plain napkin rings.
8. Get creative with centerpieces
Summer table centerpiece ideas work best when they tie in all element of your theme, and can add the finishing flourish to your summer table decor. If you favor florals go for a hand-tied bouquet in a vintage vase or lots of bud vases with single stems, which work well for longer tables.
'Your centerpiece is an opportunity to surprise and delight your guests. In the summertime, I love to incorporate seasonal fruit or vegetables on the table for a pop of color and visual interest. It's the cherry on top of a beautifully set table,' says Margherita Lutz, founder of tableware rental, design and styling service, Hinsdale Table.
If you want a rustic display, Kate suggests: 'Fill clay pots with annuals from your local nursery'. Or for a modern feel, opt for collections of votive candles or low hurricane lanterns. Alternatively, Kate recommends a low, round planter of succulents. 'Sometimes great table pieces are right under our noses; go through your storage and pull out that forgotten piece so that can be celebrated in a new way,' Kate adds.
Use this stoneware vase for water or a vibrant floral centerpiece. I love the cheerful painterly patterns in sunshine yellow and sky blue which lend a Mediterranean feel to the piece.
With the on-trend woven rattan base these hurricane lamps will make a lovely centerpiece with natural pieces and they're low enough that they won't block your guests' view across the table.
This low footed bowl comes in neutral and black and in two sizes to suit your table. Its minimalist silhouette is ideal for showcasing bold, colorful displays.
9. Transition to evening with mood lighting
As the light dims, outdoor evening party ideas will give your event a whole new lease of life and ensure your guests want to stay on to enjoy the celebrations. Outdoor lighting can make a real impact and completely transform your outdoor space after dark, whether you opt for outdoor wireless table lights or outdoor candle ideas.
'Vintage candlesticks with soft-hued tapers bring the sweetest, warm glow as the sun goes down. Skip the harsh overhead lights and let candlelight do the magic,' says Shannon.
Imagine you are creating a magical journey from day to night for your guests. Consider all the senses – for example, scented candles can change the atmosphere and keep biting bugs at bay – to ensure a truly holistic approach to hosting and a memorable experience for your guests to look back on.
In a terracotta reusable bowl, this hand-poured citronella candle combines lemongrass oil, eucalyptus, Sicilian citrus oils and the freshness of cucumber that will uplift your evening and keep biting bugs at bay.
Created by chef and restaurateur, Marcus Samuelsson, you might say this cordless lamp has been designed with dining in mind. With soft LED lighting and a touch on/off switch it will instantly transform the mood.
Display this twisted mint green candles in tall, elegant candlesticks to add depth and height to your table by night, without disrupting the conversation. They're unscented so won't compete with your fragrant blooms.
Summer table decor FAQs
What are the rules for setting a table?
The key rules for setting a table include selecting a tablecloth to build on, creating personalized place settings, mismatching and layering tableware – starting with a charger plate and working up – for an eclectic look, ensuring that your guests have enough glassware for the drinks on offer, without cluttering the space, and allowing enough room for each guest to relax comfortably. You can then build in your decor elements in and around those core details.
What do you put in the middle of an outdoor table?
You can be as creative as you like when it comes to what to put in the middle of an outdoor table, but you could consider a seasonal floral arrangement, a bowl of fresh whole fruit, a display of natural elements, such as beach finds or dried grasses, or a statement multi-wick candle. The main thing though is to ensure that your central display is low enough to allow conversation to flow across the table.
What are good table decorations?
Good table decorations are often the most simple ones. Look to your surroundings for inspiration, such as flowers and greenery from the garden, piles of fresh fruit or seasonal veg, smooth pebbles or shells from a nearby beach. Then you can work around that and a core color palette or theme, by layering in more curated elements, such as decorative napkin rings, statement vases and candleholders. Experiment with adding and taking away pieces until you're happy with the final look
Now that you've got the summer table decor sorted, your thoughts will be turning to the menu. Whether you're looking for summer lunch recipes for a relaxed celebration, an alfresco lunch menu for a rustic, yet elevated event, or dishes for a classic summer gathering, our recipes will have you covered.
