Sophisticated and Simple Summer Outdoor Tablescape

Are you enjoying these summer days? One of my favorite summer activities is eating outdoors. A lovely table makes the experience even more enjoyable. Here is a sophisticated and simple summer outdoor tablescape for you to consider.

Summer is in full swing, and there’s no better time to embrace the warm weather and enjoy some al fresco dining. There’s something truly magical about dining outdoors—the gentle breeze, the golden sunlight or a star-filled evening.

Today, I want to share with you some of my favorite tips and ideas for creating a sophisticated yet simple summer outdoor tablescape. 

One of the best parts of summer is the opportunity to take our meals outside. Whether it’s a casual brunch with friends, a family barbecue, or a romantic dinner under the stars, outdoor dining experiences are always a hit. 

There’s just something about the combination of good food, great company, and a beautiful setting that makes everything taste better and feel more special.

When it comes to setting the perfect summer table, I love to keep things simple yet elegant. A pretty table doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. 

I’m happy to share this simple summer outdoor tablescape with you. It’s Pinterest Challenge day.

I’m so excited that our hostess Cindy of County407 has chosen a wonderful inspiration photo from Haley of Hello Haley.

Are you joining me from Amber of Follow the Yellow Brick Home? I love her lovely color combination

Our focus is on creating a pretty summer table. Come on over and let me share all these ideas for a beautiful tablescape.

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Draw Inspiration from Nature

Do you have a patio or backyard to host an outdoor summer dining event? Or even a front porch that would be suitable?

For color inspiration, look around your outdoor spaces, garden, and natural surroundings. Garden flowers, lush greenery, and natural elements like stone or wood can guide your color choices. 

If you have lush greenery, incorporating shades of green and earthy tones can create a lovely blend with your environment. If you have a colorful garden, then the colors of flowers can be your inspiration.

Selecting your color scheme from nature can create a beautiful and inviting outdoor dining area that enhances your summer entertaining and makes the most of your outdoor space.

Tips for Creating Your Summer Tablescape

Need some quick tips for setting up a beautiful summer outdoor tablescape?

1. Choose a cohesive color scheme that complements your outdoor space. Opt for light, summery colors like blues, greens, yellows, or whites/neutrals with pops of bright accents.
2. Use natural elements as decor. Incorporate fresh flowers, greenery, or herbs from your garden as centerpieces or accents.
3. Add ambient lighting. Hang string lights or use candles to create a magical atmosphere as the sun sets.
4. Layer textures with linens. Use a tablecloth, runner, or placemats as a base, then add cloth napkins in coordinating colors or patterns.
5. Mix and match dinnerware. Don’t be afraid to combine different patterns. Try using a variety of plates and napkins for an eclectic look.
6. Create simple, eye-catching centerpieces. Fill mason jars with flowers and add sliced citrus fruits to cover the stems for an easy, colorful display.
7. Incorporate seasonal elements like seashells, driftwood, or fresh summer fruits as decorative accents.
8. Add refreshing drinks to the table decor. Serve fruit-infused water, pink or yellow lemonade, orange juice, sangria or other colorful beverages that complement your color scheme.
9. Use outdoor-friendly materials. Opt for melamine plates or other durable options suitable for outdoor use.
10. Add cushions to seating and consider using an outdoor rug to define the dining area.

These easy touches can quickly transform your outdoor space into a welcoming and stylish setting for summer dining and entertaining.

Dining Outdoor Essentials

Here is a list of items you’ll need to create a beautiful summer tablescape. Pick the ones that you already have on hand that fit your vision for an outdoor dining experience.

• Tablecloth or table runner in a light, summery fabric or pattern.
• Placemats  or chargers in summer materials (rattan, woven, or fabric)
• White dinner plates (neutral colors work well as a base); outdoor-friendly dinnerware is helpful
• Salad or appetizer plates or bowls (can be patterned or colorful for contrast)
• Flatware (consider white or metallic for elegance, or colorful options for a casual look)
• Glassware (water glasses, iced tea or wine glasses)
• Cloth napkins or heavy duty paper napkins in coordinating colors or patterns
• Napkin rings or a decorative napkin fold

Centerpiece Elements

Even an outdoor dining setting needs a pretty centerpiece. Your color palette or theme dictates the type of centerpiece for your table. Here are some possibilities:

• Vase or pitcher for fresh flowers or greenery, such as fresh herbs
• Candles or lanterns
• Seasonal fruits (like lemons, peaches, or strawberries)
• Small potted herbs or plants
• Seashells or beach-inspired items
• Colorful glass bottles or jars

The key is to keep the tablescape simple and fresh. Mix and match these elements to create a tablescape that suits your personal style and the occasion you’re celebrating.

Our Summer Outdoor Tablescape Inspiration

I was really excited about creating a outdoor tablescape inspired by Haley.

I had all the elements on hand. Let’s break down all the pieces of this table:

• wood table
• woven placemats
• white plates and bowls
• white planters
• greenery plants

I had all those items on hand! I took Haley’s tablescape a little further by adding white silverware, blue toile cloth napkins, and blue-stem wine glasses.

My Simple Summer Outdoor Tablescape

I followed Haley’s lead with a simple, neutral color palette using wood, natural materials, white dishes and greenery in white containers.

For my summer outdoor tablescape, I invisioned an early lunch (before it gets too hot) with a few girlfriends.

I thought was going to set my tablescape on our wood teak table. This is the one that I found an estate sale years ago and refinished.

Unfortunately, it rained the morning as I was setting the table. Instead, I decided to use our wood coffee table under our pergola.

Step 1 – Use my round woven placemats.

Step 2 – Next, I added white dinner plates from our everyday china, Manoir by Villeroy & Boch.

Step 3 – For a touch of color and sophistication, I added my blue and cream toile cloth napkins. I bought these at an estate sale several years ago.

Step 4 – Like Haley, I added small white bowls. I love bowls and have several sets – all from flea markets and estate sales.

Step 5 – For silverware, white-handled forks and soups spoons added a nice combination of casual and elegant.

Step 6 – For my “centerpieces”, I used thrift store ceramic containers filled with a mix of herbs – oregano, sage, and mint – from our herb garden.

We have to trim these herbs every few days since they grow so fast. If you don’t have an herb garden, you can find all these herbs at your local grocery store. 

Step 7 – As the final element, I add a little more sophistication and color with the blue-stem wine glasses that I bought at a flea market in Granbury, Texas.

For an actual lunch with friends, I probably would move all the place settings to our teak dining table – as long as it isn’t raining!

Lunch Menu for the Simple Summer Outdoor Tablescape

Setting the table was a perfect opportunity an outdoor gathering. I wanted a simple menu that was light, but full of flavor. 

This summer menu fills the bill:

First Course – Cucumber Tomatillo Gazpacho

Main Course – Light and Refreshing Sweet Pea Salad

Dessert Course – Homemade Peach Ice Cream

Beverage – this delicious and refreshing Summer Sangria

These recipes are delicious and perfect for a simple late summer celebration. They are simple to prepare, can be made ahead, and are easy to serve. Plus they will add a pop of color to our lunch.

I hope you enjoyed how to style a sophisticated yet simple summer outdoor table setting. Now please look at all the easy summer tablescapes from my blogger friends. Up next is my fellow Texas blogger, Barbara of French Ethereal.

Please PIN these summer tablescapes to your Pinterest Boards. Take a look at these Pinterest Boards:

• Summer Tablescapes
• Summer Party Ideas
• Tablescapes