Come shop with me and learn how to create a gorgeous spring outdoor table setting from start to finish! Learn my best outdoor entertaining tips and tricks including how to curate a beautiful table, tips for utilizing fresh flowers on the table, choosing melamine for stress free dining, and more!
This post is sponsored by Tuesday Morning. All opinions about the cute decor options are my own.
Outdoor Table Setting Tip 1: Know Where to Shop
I love checking out Tuesday Morning for decor deals, and high-quality brand-name items. Our local Tuesday Morning is conveniently located next door to my gym, and I frequently pop-in the store after a fitness class to peruse my favorite aisles. Currently, my favorite aisles include the dishware, indoor planters, and specialty foods aisle!
Whether it’s a pretty vase, melamine tray, or my favorite sugar free coffee syrups, my Tuesday Morning finds are typically priced between 20-60% less than department and specialty stores which makes shopping so much fun! Another great tip for finding good deals in-store is to subscribe to the Tuesday Morning weekly emails. The emails highlight new arrivals, so I’m able to see what’s new in stock before I shop.
Outdoor Table Setting Tip 2: Style Your Tabletop in Your Cart
When I’m shopping for new tableware I often use the inside of my cart as a mock-up tabletop for my place settings. I make sure that my plates, placemats, serveware, glasses, utensils, etc. look good together. Don’t be shy to hold up your plates to various table runners, placemats, and napkins to check that the colors and textures are to your liking.
I was thrilled to find these moody floral melamine plates in the pattern Dark Beauty! The muddy green background and vibrant florals evoke a modern vintage vibe. The entire collection at my store included dinner plates, dessert plates, salad bowls, and serving dishes at incredible prices.
To complement the dishes, I chose these vintage-inspired melamine glasses. They are so beautiful and sparkly at golden hour and look so much like real glass! Durable and shatterproof melamine dishes are perfect for outdoor entertaining.
Outdoor Table Setting Tip 3: Say Yes to Flowers
The easiest way to add flair to your outdoor table is with a magnificent floral centerpiece! To choose the flowers for this arrangement, I carried one of my floral melamine plates into the floral section of the grocery store and held the plate up to the flowers. This allowed me to easily select shades, textures, and colors of flowers that fit the vibe of my dishware.
I also like to choose interesting flower containers that are somewhat unconventional. This vintage trophy-inspired vase at Tuesday Morning was exactly what I had in mind for my table! If your vase or container is not waterproof, place a bowl or vase inside the vessel to make it work for your arrangement. I have an entire blog post dedicated to teaching my Simple Flower Arranging Tips if interested in learning more!
Outdoor Table Setting Tip 4: Add Texture and Layers to Your Table
Designing a beautiful table is very similar to designing a beautiful room. Just like in room design, adding various layers and textures adds interest! Tablecloths, runners, placemats, chargers, and serveware are great ways to mix in various textures, patterns, and colors to compliment the core elements of your table setting. These water hyacinth placemats from Tuesday Morning are incredibly versatile and add a great neutral base to the table. Think of your placemat as the “rug” of your table setting that provides the grounding foundation for your plates.
I also like to add layers of dishes to each place setting depending on the courses being served. Here I opted for salad bowls layered on top of dinner plates. The salad bowls are both functional and beautiful, adding a layer of depth to the table.
Outdoor Table Setting Tip 5: Upgrade the Napkin
I always strive to create an atmosphere of casual elegance, and while paper napkins have their place, I prefer to elevate my outdoor table settings with cloth napkins. Just as I take a “high-low” approach to room decor, I aim to do the same on the table! Tuesday Morning has a fabulous collection of fabric napkins and tablecloths to choose from in a variety of colors and patterns. I opted for solid pink napkins tied in loose knots and placed to the left of each place setting. I view cloth napkins as the “toss pillows and throws” of the table!
Outdoor Table Setting Tip 6: Keep Them Hydrated
Allowing guests to help themselves to water and beverages allows you as the host to spend more time enjoying your guests at the table! I like to keep bottles of chilled water at the ends of the table for guests to grab as needed. Tuesday Morning has a great selection of water pitchers and carafes to choose from. Their specialty food aisle is also worth checking out for gourmet beverages!
Outdoor Table Setting Tip 7: Serve Them Up Family Style
Guests often arrive while the food is still grilling and baking! Start off the evening with a first course of fresh greens served family style while the rest of your meal is cooking. I was thrilled to find this large matching melamine bowl and wood salad tongs at Tuesday Morning. Melamine serveware is lightweight and easy to pass around the table!
Thanks for stopping by today to check out my outdoor table setting tips! If you’re looking to spruce up your outdoor table setting game this season, I highly recommend heading to Tuesday Morning to browse the high-quality brands and products available at amazing prices and incredible deals!