7 Simple Ideas for the Perfect Outdoor Summer Dining Table

Create the perfect outdoor summer dining experience with our 7 simple and stylish tips. From choosing a theme to adding personal touches, transform your table into a summer oasis with fresh hydrangeas, cozy seating, ambient lighting, and more.

When I was growing up, I loved when my family would eat dinner outside during the summer.

Setting the table on our patio and enjoying our meal together outdoors felt so special.

I still enjoy dining outside, and creating a beautiful table for friends and family makes the experience even more special.

However, I do like to keep my get-togethers simple and affordable.

If you’re reading this blog post, then I bet you love to entertain, too.

• You’re looking for easy, entertaining ideas.
• You need budget-friendly table decor tips.
• You want your guests to feel special.

Don’t worry…I’ve got you covered with simple ideas to create a perfect outdoor dining table setup.

Tricks that will save you money.

And practical tips that anyone can do.

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Check out all of our tablescapes and menu ideas!

Why Should You Create an Outdoor Dining Table

There are many reasons to style a tablescape outdoors, including hosting a party, having a casual get-together with friends, or even just having dinner with your family.

Did you know that spending time outside can boost your mood and reduce stress?

Here are a few more reasons why you need to create an outdoor tablescape this summer:

• More space outside to host larger groups
• Relaxing atmosphere for your guests
• Connect with nature
• Family bonding time
• Enjoy the summer season
• Casual setting for friends
• Cooking or grilling outside keeps your kitchen cool

What Creative Themes Can Transform Your Outdoor Dining Table

Choosing a cohesive theme for your dinner party ties everything together.

But don’t overcomplicate it.

You can keep the theme simple and just go with a decor style such as rustic, boho, or coastal.

You can also choose a color scheme and use that as your theme.

Whatever you decide for your theme, try to use items you already own to style your table.

I like to use what I have rather than have the added expense of decorations when hosting a get-together.

Having an entertaining capsule (similar to a wardrobe capsule) helps me entertain without spending a fortune. Click here to see what I include in my entertaining capsule.

For my table, I used a neutral color scheme for the place settings with a pop of color with the floral centerpiece.

I’m all about simple and casual, so I used my outdoor teak table and chair set and styled it in an easy, breezy summer style.

What Seasonal Flowers Work Best for a Summer Centerpiece

Any flowers cut from your garden or yard are the best seasonal flowers for your table centerpiece.

Why? Because they’re free!

I love hydrangea because they will rebloom after cutting if they’re the Endless Summer variety.

Hydrangea are saturated with color. I just love the rich blue!

And the big beautiful blooms are so large you don’t need as many to create a stunning display.

Inexpensive large mason jars are a casual and affordable way to display summer flowers.

Other seasonal flowers to use for a summer centerpiece:

• Sunflower
• Daisy
• Zinnia
• Dalihla
• Hibiscus
• Rose
• Lavender
• Peonies

What is the Best Way to Layer Linens for a Beautiful Outdoor Table?

Layering tablecloths, runners, and placemats add depth and texture to your outdoor dining table.

Try using a placemat and charge in different textures for interest like this seagrass placemat and wood charger.

Of course, your guests probably don’t need two napkins, but together, they add depth to the place settings.

A simple beige fringed napkin paired with a striped cotton napkin works well together.

Table linens in cotton or linen fabric are best for summer entertaining.

What Tableware Transforms Outdoor Dining Experience

When dining outdoors, you may be tempted to reach for disposable tableware to avoid accidents.

That may be best when hosting a larger group; however, I recommend using regular dishes rather than paper or plastic.

Using traditional indoor tableware outside gives your guests a special surprise as it’s unexpected.

I also advise using neutral-colored plates to allow the food served to be the star of the place setting.

Gold flatware brings a bit of bling and chic style to your table.

What Unique Items Make Your Tablescape Special

Add personal touches to your dining table that your guests will appreciate.

If you’d like to assign seats for your guests, DIY place cards are a nice addition to each place setting.

Handmade napkin rings are another option to bring some of your personality to your tablescape.

These beaded three-loop napkin rings are super easy and affordable to make. Click here for the tutorial.

Simple DIY jute napkin rings are also a fun idea for summer place settings. This article provides instructions.

What Seating Tips Can Make Your Dining Area Cozy

Provide comfortable seating so your guests want to stay and linger after the meal.

Outdoor teak wood chairs with arms give people a sturdy seat for an evening of fun.

Add throw pillows to the wood chairs to make them even cozier.

These pillow covers are removable, so they can be easily washed after your dinner party.

What Lighting Ideas Set the Perfect Mood for Your Summer Table?

All tablescapes need ambient lighting. What better way to provide it than with candles?

There are many different ways to incorporate candlelight into your outdoor summer table.

Here are a few candle ideas:

• Lanterns for a rustic vibe
• Taper candles in candlestick holders for a classic style
• Jar candles for a casual and cozy mood
• Votives and tealights are small and versatile to scatter around a table
• Floating candles are a fun way to light up your space
• Pillar candles in varying heights add interest

Candles provide a cozy atmosphere for your dining experience.

I added glass-filled votives in small mason jars and placed them around the table for sparkle and mood lighting.

String lights are another way to give your outdoor dining space ambiance.

A combination of large and small globe lights from AQ Lighting on a black metal pergola is a beautiful backdrop for a summer dinner party.

Click here to see how I hung these string lights.

Additional ideas for string lighting:

• Hang lights on outdoor structures like gazebos or pergolas
• String lights from trees in your yard
• Install posts to string lights from
• Put lights around a fence or deck railing
• Hang across patio or deck ceilings
• Garden structures like arbors and arched look great with lighting

How to Set an Outdoor Summer Dining Table

If you use our easy and affordable ideas, you’ll have everything you need to set up an amazing table for your next party or get-together.

Here is a recap of the 7 steps to create your perfect summer outdoor tablescape:

1. Choose a theme
2. Use seasonal flowers
3. Layer table linens
4. Select stylish tableware
5. Add personal touches
6. Provide comfortable seating
7. Add ambient lighting

What Questions Do You Have about Creating a Summer Outdoor Dining Table?

Now, we want to hear from you: what are you wondering about?

Leave a comment below.

Resource and Shopping Links:

Click on any image to shop for items from this post

Sources: metal pergola | teak table and chair set | linen pillow cover | string lights | seagrass placemat | wood charger | white tableware | gold flatware | striped napkins | fringed linen napkins | large mason jars | small mason jars | votive candles

More Simply2Moms’ Tablescape Ideas:

Check out all of our virtual dinner club tablescapes and menus!

More Summer Smoke It Tablescape Ideas from Our Friends

Be sure to click each of the blog names below the photos to get even more inspiration for your summer table.

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