Growing up, my parents were always entertaining friends and family at our house. Between birthday parties, holidays, and just-because occasions, get-togethers were nonstop, which meant that as a kid, I was very familiar with the to-do list for getting our house ready for company.
To me, setting the table was the easiest of the party-prep chores—as long as I remembered what side of the plate the fork went on. I knew what napkins and glasses were for a holiday versus a birthday and what serving trays and dinnerware to grab based on the season. So now, I actually find a lot of joy in styling a table for entertaining in my own home.
Of all the tables I have set in my lifetime, outdoor table decor is by far my favorite to style—simply because eating al fresco makes everything better IMO. Plus, there are endless ways to style an outdoor table for summer entertaining. Tropical? Boho? Coastal? A Pinterest-worthy tablescape is easily achievable with a few of the right pieces. As a seasoned table-setter, I have picked outdoor table decor for all your summer entertaining needs. All you need to do is decide which style you’re going for and what’s on the menu. Take a look and get inspired to send out invites:
Coastal
If you’re leaning into the coastal grandmother trend this season and wondering what it would be like to live like Diane Keaton for a day, this is the tablescape for you. With a mix of neutral tones and natural textures, it feels elevated and polished yet comfortable and laid-back.
Pottery Barn
Rattan Round Placemats
Pottery Barn
12-Piece Dinnerware Set
Williams Sonoma
Silver Flatware Set
Pottery Barn
Embroidered Fringe Napkins
Pottery Barn
Outdoor Drinking Glasses
Lulu and Georgia
Rattan Sleeve Vase
Minimal
Less is more, right? Simplicity, clean lines, and a monochromatic palette are the characteristics to keep in mind when choosing and styling minimalistic outdoor table decor. Prioritize the essentials (plates, flatware, drinkware, and napkins), and mix in texture and shapes to add to the visual appeal.
World Market
Organic Dinnerware Collection
CB2
Acrylic Outdoor Glasses
CB2
Striped Napkins
Williams Sonoma
Brushed Flatware Sets
Amazon
Glass Pitcher
Main + Mesa
Ribbed Candles
Tropical
You don’t have to go on a vacation to dine like you’re in the tropics. Have fun with bright, bold, and cheerful colors like ocean blue, hot pink, coral, warm yellow, and bright green. Between a flawless self-tan and the right tropical decor, you will feel like you’re enjoying a margarita on the beach with your girlfriends.
Threshold
Bamboo & Melamine Dinner Plates
West Elm
Colorful Outdoor Glasses
Anthropologie
Rattan Flatware
West Elm
Cotton Napkins
Threshold
Striped Table Runner
Threshold
Faux Plant
Boho
To achieve a boho-inspired outdoor tablescape, mix relaxed colors like deep orange and ivory with materials like linen and clay. Pull everything together with subtle greenery and candles to make your table feel complete without being overdone.
Etsy | LinenNotes
Linen Tablecloth
West Elm
Outdoor Plate Set
H&M
Flatware Set
Etsy | MagicLinen
Linen Napkin Set
Pottery Barn
Hammered Glassware
West Elm
Brass Candleholder
