Twinkle lights, vintage-inspired glassware, warm wood table accessories, and flowing linens set the scene for a memorable meal at this elegant outdoor summer table! Read on for affordable table setting sources and styling tips.
This post is created in partnership with Christmas Tree Shops. All sources listed can be found in-store at Christmas Tree Shops. To find a location near you, click here.
I love to entertain outdoors! Creating beautiful outdoor table settings is one of my decorating specialties, so I’m always on the lookout for beautiful and affordable table decor at a great value. Today I’m going to share with you all of the elements needed to create a beautiful outdoor table.
For this gorgeous outdoor table, I shopped at Christmas Tree Shops where I purchased all of my table linens, wood chargers, green leaf plates, glass vases, vintage-inspired glassware, tea lights, outdoor twinkle lights, LED lantern, and white outdoor pillows. Christmas Tree Shops has an ever-changing assortment of table items, at a great value, that makes shopping like a treasure hunt experience! Watch my video below to see my in-store shopping experience and creative process on how to design and create an outdoor table!
Items You Need for an Elegant Outdoor Table
Table Linens
I typically create tables that are casually elegant; however, when I want a more formal setting I layer on the table linens! Tablecloths, runners, placemats, and cloth napkins are fabulous ways to add texture, color, and dimension to your table.
Fabric Napkins
I love adding fabric napkins to the table! Next to my flower arrangements, they are the number one element that transforms a table from ordinary to extraordinary. Napkins often add a pop of color, interest, and texture to the table, keeping it from appearing too flat.
These shabby-chic-postcard-inspired napkins from Christmas Tree Shops are the perfect addition to my formal outdoor table. They compliment the theme of the table and add a subtle splash of color to an otherwise neutral table.
White Tablecloth
A beautiful white tablecloth is a staple item to have in your table setting arsenal! A well-placed tablecloth can transform even the most inexpensive folding table into a sophisticated setting. When looking for a tablecloth, remember to measure your table before you shop in order to find the correct size. The subtle plaid pattern and texture on this white tablecloth adds interest and perfectly compliments my green and white chenille plaid throw blanket, which is also a Christmas Tree Shops find!
Table Runner
A table runner is another great way to add color, texture, and interest to your table. Table runners act as a foundation to the table by grounding your centerpieces and candles while offering some protection from heat, moisture, and spills. Christmas Tree Shops has a myriad of table runners to choose from. This textured table runner looks beautiful with my wood-toned accessories without competing with my other focal points.
Tableware
Tableware are the dishes or dishware used for setting a table, serving food, and dining. Plates, chargers, silverware, glasses and serving pieces are the main supporting characters of your tablescape so you want to choose them wisely! Let’s go over some tips for choosing affordable tableware.
Chargers
Chargers often take the place of a placemat and help to retain the heat of your dishware, keeping your food warm for longer. I love to use wood or metallic chargers to add warmth to the table. These boho wood and white striped chargers from Christmas Tree Shops are my favorite element on the table! At $6.99 a piece they were an absolute steal compared to similar wood chargers I’ve had my eye on.
Plates
A great table setting tip is to invest in a set of solid white dishware that you can dress up or down with colorful salad, or dessert plates. Christmas Tree Shops has a wide selection of dishware including several styles of white plates to choose from. Salad plates are less expensive than their matching dinner-sized counterpart and add just as much color to the table. I found these beautiful green leaf-embossed salad plates, perfect for summer salads on the patio!
Glassware
When choosing glassware for a formal table, I would typically recommend choosing something with a stem; however, I fell in love with these vintage-inspired glasses at Christmas Tree Shops. I knew they would be more practical for my somewhat clumsy family who has a tendency to knock over stemware. The beautiful design on the glasses makes them fancy enough to use on a formal table while being casual enough to use every day.
Flowers
Your flower arrangements shouldn’t impede conversation at the table. I admittedly don’t always follow this rule and inevitably, mid-meal, the arrangement gets placed on the ground by someone annoyed that they can’t see the person across the table from them! One great tip for creating a low-profile flower arrangement is to use a bowl as a vase. I found this cute green and white floral serving bowl at Christmas Tree Shops and filled it with white roses and greenery. I also found some glass vintage-inspired vases that complimented my drinking glasses and created two small nosegay arrangements for the ends of the table.
Toss Pillows & Throw Blankets
While not a necessity to outdoor dining, I always like to have toss pillows and throw blankets handy for the comfort of guests.
I used a green and white chenille plaid throw blanket to dress up a rustic picnic bench. The white floral toss pillows from Christmas Tree Shops function as both beautiful accessories as well as back supports for guests.
Outdoor Lighting
Twinkle lights, candles, and LED lanterns set the mood for your outdoor meal! For this table, I strung a few strands of outdoor lights, faux garlands, and a LED lantern from Christmas Tree Shops on an over-the-table rod.
I attached the garland and lights to the rod using a few pieces of floral wire. The battery operated LED lantern acted as the perfect chandelier for the table! I absolutely love the way it looks at night!
Inexpensive tea lights are another fabulous way to add ambiance down the center of the table. I often scatter them on the runner to add an additional source of lighting.
I hope you enjoyed my elegant outdoor tablescape and gathered some great table setting tips along the way! Be sure to check out your local Christmas Tree Shops for all of your outdoor and indoor decor needs this summer!