Where to Start: 5 Tips for Outdoor Tablescaping

We believe there aren’t really any set rules for tablescaping—it’s more a form of art—but if you match the unexpected, you’ll find it much more enjoyable. We love laying tables because it’s usually only for one lunch or supper and the next time, you can make it look totally different—it’s for using your imagination.

Alfresco dining is the perfect opportunity to give your outdoor dining set-up a refresh with bright colours, whimsical patterns and new textures—but where do you start?

In this guide, we have shared tips on how you can design a beautiful outdoor summer tablescape that will rival the natural beauty of your garden in full bloom and instil you with the confidence to conquer the art of summer tablescaping. Here are our top 5 tablescape tips to follow this summer.

Essential Elements of a Summer Tablescape:

1) Choose Your Colour Scheme

Selecting a theme or colour scheme is the first step in creating a cohesive, beautiful outdoor tablescape. Here you have the opportunity to bring nature-inspired elements to your table, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere for your guests. Consider the occasion or celebration—whether it’s a casual family dinner or hosting a dinner party with friends, the easiest way to elevate your outdoor table is by following a balanced theme. For example, you might choose a vibrant tropical theme with bold colours and floral patterns or opt for a more subtle and elegant look with pastel shades and delicate prints.

2) Layer with Linens

Dare to be unexpected! You may think that a certain tablecloth might not look good paired with certain table mats but you’ll never know until you try. Sometimes the most surprising pairings are the best so don’t be afraid to get a bit playful and creative.

More is more! We recommend layering table linens as they are a guaranteed way to uplift your outdoor dining experience. For a garden lunch or less formal dining, we turn to our selection of floral patterned tablecloths and layer our coloured Colombian string table mats for texture with neatly folded napkins to the left for added dimension.

3) Ceramic Tableware

Guests arriving at a well-prepared and welcoming table are instantly flattered that you have gone to all this trouble for them and it sets the mood and the expectancy of delicious food. As an attentive host, it’s a lovely idea to have glasses and jugs of water or freshly squeezed lemonade on the table or at the entrance so guests can help themselves while you serve dinner.

There’s nothing more charming than mismatched tableware. Unite your table accessories with colour through confetti Murano glass tumblers, tall jugs and botanical motifs. We tend to steer clear of plain white plates and gravitate more towards hand-painted ceramic tableware as it can instantly add a beautiful artisanal feel to your set-up. It's about mixing not mix-and-match that really makes it feel like a party!

Our Palm Tree collection has been designed to bring a laid-back, tropical Caribbean feel to your outdoor tablescape. In three fresh colours, pink, green, and blue, we recently added our serving platters to our collection of plates and bowls. They can be mixed with our other designs or other colourways within the collection for a playful look.

4) Glassware for all occasions

Glassware is a fun and elegant addition to your outdoor table. Select glasses that complement your ceramic tableware and enhance the overall aesthetic. Clear glassware works well with almost any theme, but you can also consider coloured or textured glassware for a more eclectic look. Mix different glass styles, such as stemless wine glasses, tumblers or champagne flutes, to add variety and visual interest to your table.

5) Finishing touches

Now it's time to add those finishing touches that will elevate your outdoor tablescape even further. Incorporate natural elements to your table, like fresh flowers, wild-scented herbs or other foraged delights as centrepieces. You can scatter lots of little vases with small colourful floral combinations along the table, or for a more structured approach, try tall vases that are above head height with pretty branches that don’t restrict cross-table conversation.

Never underestimate the importance of lighting! Many forget about the transition from day to night at a dinner party and it can get dark very quickly. When the sunlight fades, we love using several votive candles to cast beautiful soft light across the table. Pop them inside a coloured glass hurricane glass for a gorgeous effect. Make sure there is plenty of lighting in your outdoor space so guests can explore and mingle without worrying about any hidden steps and dark corners. Dot tea lights all around your garden to create a serene, warming atmosphere—the more the better!

Inspired by the playful spirit of summer, the Penny Morrison tableware collection sets the stage for an unforgettable outdoor dining experience. Featuring an exciting range of hand-painted ceramics, quirky coloured glassware and spectacular table linens. From tropical palm-tree motif pieces to pretty floral sets, the unique ceramic pieces can be styled as a set or mix-and-matched and really come to life when paired and combined with our table linens, glass tumblers and other accessories.