Come learn some of my inspired table setting tips on how to create a beautiful fall plaid outdoor harvest tablescape!
My love for creating beautiful tablescapes began at an early age by watching my mom. My mom is an amazing cook and entertainer, and in addition to hosting our large family for every major holiday, she hosts gatherings for friends, neighbors, and groups from church. Setting beautiful tables is something I grew up appreciating as part of the “gift” to guests when entertaining. I learned early on that creating beautiful spaces for friends and family to dine facilitates the creation of beautiful memories! Although the pandemic currently impacts how we each approach entertaining, life goes on and small immediate family gatherings around the table with good food are still highly encouraged!
My extremely talented friend Courtney, from French Country Cottage, recently wrote a beautiful book called Inspired Gatherings. You can purchase her book by clicking the affiliate links here on Amazon and Target. Her book is filled with some of the most gorgeous table setting ideas I have ever seen. Flipping through the book is truly a feast for the eyes and a beautiful escape from the mundane! I keep my copy out as a coffee table book and browse through it whenever in need of some eye-candy, or tabletop inspiration. I highly recommend purchasing a copy for yourself!
Today, I’m teaming up with Courtney and a few other blog friends to share some inspired ideas of how to entertain outdoors. I hope our backyard Inspired Gatherings tour inspires you to enjoy your fall weather with your loved ones around the table!
Backyard Dining Table Tip 1: Get creative when choosing where to dine!
Think outside the box when choosing your backyard dining area. Your outdoor table might be placed on your deck or patio, but if space allows, consider moving your table onto the grass under a large tree, next to your beautiful flowering shrubs, or perhaps even in your front yard. Changing up the location of your table creates a fresh “room” for your tablescape and inspires creativity. For this tablescape, I moved our outdoor table from the patio to the side of our house near our barn shed. I love how the shed adds to the country ambiance of my harvest table!
Backyard Dining Table Tip 2: Think beyond the outdoor chair.
I often change up my seating to match the aesthetic of the table. Bringing indoor chairs outside for dining is one way to accomplish this. Using a bench, garden stools, hay bales, or camping stools are other fun ways to mix up your seating.
I purchased my hay bales at At Home store and stacked them to create some rustic seating reminiscent of a hay ride!
Backyard Dining Table Tip 3: Decorate your table in layers.
I don’t typically use a tablecloth on the table, but I do use cloth napkins, dishtowels, placemats, and chargers. For this table, I thought it would be fun to angle a plaid tablecloth on a diagonal to create a more informal and carefree look.
Layering your napkin between your charger, plate, or salad bowl, creates a beautiful and welcoming place setting.
Backyard Dining Table Tip 4: For your centerpiece or garland, mix faux with fresh greenery and florals.
You might be surprised to learn which florals are fresh and which are faux in my centerpiece below!
Fresh florals and greenery always looks best, but fresh can be pricey and I’ve accumulated a great collection of faux over the years! When the two are mixed together, a good faux will be elevated and almost always look fresh.
Backyard Dining Table Tip 5: Don’t forget the mood lighting!
Candles, lanterns, twinkle lights, and votives are a MUST for your outdoor table!
You can see in my photos how the mood lighting looks equally beautiful pre and post sunset. Adding strands of twinkle lights to nearby branches looks magical and sets the mood for your gathering. For this setting, I used just one strand of small outdoor lights draped on the tree above.
On the table, I used two lanterns with LED candles and several small votive candles.
If your table is smaller, you can also place lanterns on the ground around the table to create additional mood lighting.
Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope these backyard table setting tips inspire you to create a serene space for your loved ones. Feel free to save any images directly to Pinterest from this post to reference for later. If you enjoyed this post, I think you’ll enjoy some of my other fall tablescapes linked below.
5 Outdoor Entertaining Tips to Creating a Gorgeous Fall Tablescape
Beautiful and Bountiful Early Fall Tablescape
Elegant Black, White, and Green Farmhouse Table Setting for Fall
Beautiful Black White Buffalo Check Farmhouse Fall Table Setting Tips
20 Fall Dining Room and Tablescape Ideas
Sylvia Hill says
Such a beautiful fall table! I know your mom is proud of the tradition being continued through you. Did you list where the items could be found? I was especially interested in the shawl/ tablecloth!
Beth says
Thanks you so much! All of the table decor can be found at At Home store!
Danielle says
So pretty, Beth, and in the perfect setting! xx
Beth says
Thanks so much Danielle! I appreciate you stopping by and taking the time to comment.
Angelia Harris says
It makes me want to have a seat at your table It’s looks warm and inviting 🙂 I’m going to place my fall tablecloth as you have done!!
Beth says
Thanks so much for stopping by Angelia! I’m glad you liked it!
Courtney says
Such a beautiful table Beth!! I love those linens and all the harvest touches- gorgeous gorgeous!! Thank you for joining me on this Inspired Gatherings tour!! xo
Beth says
Thanks so much for inviting me Courtney!