Sharing all the tips, tricks & ideas for how to create a simple, beautiful & fancy outdoor summer tablescape with a recipe for DIY bug repellant along with 8 more summer tablescape ideas from my blogging friends with pictures!
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Beautiful Outdoor Summer Tablescape Ideas
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Who says you can’t bring your favorite dishes outdoors on a regular Wednesday night?
Because it’s summer we try and eat outside as much as we possibly can.
With 4 kids, the less crumbs I have to vacuum up, the better, ha!
Our backyard patio is finally done and we love it so much that we moved our outdoor table and chairs back there so we could enjoy even more meals outside together.
Summer Tablescape Place Setting with White China, Cloth Napkins & Silverware
I had a small alfresco dinner party in mind when I set this table.
I created this outdoor summer tablescape just as I would any formal indoor table.
Summer Tablescape Centerpiece with Boxwood & Annabelle Hydrangea Cuttings & Fairy Lights Under a Glass Cloche
For the centerpiece, I brought out my favorite glass cloche and added 2 strands of fairy lights to the inside of it.
I cut and added some fresh boxwood greens and white hydrangea flowers from my yard to surround the cloche and fill the center of the table.
Two candlesticks on either side of our glass cloche add some ambience when lit after the sun goes down.
And a few more white hydrangea inside glass ball jars always look pretty!
Classic neutral dishes and glassware look great season to season and help make setting a pretty table effortless.
All that’s left is to simply change out the greenery, flowers and colors to match the occasion you are celebrating.
Summer Tablescape with Recipe for DIY Bug Repellant (How to Make & Ingredient List)
Because it’s summer and there are lots of bugs I made 2 bug repellant luminaries to add to our table.
A ball jar, lemons, rosemary, water, lavender oil and a tea light were all that it took to make these.
The jury is still out whether the luminaries keep the bugs away or attract them (notice the gnat in the jar) but they looked pretty and smelled nice!
I have a confession to make… No meals were actually enjoyed at this table this night.
Even though we never ate at this table it was just too pretty a table and summer night to waste.
That night, I took my kids to float night at our local pool and we ordered pizza instead, ha!
Summer Tablescape at Night with Candle Light
After the kids were in bed I did light the candles and pour Jason and I each a glass of wine!
Sometimes it’s just fun to decorate whether you have something planned or not and now I know exactly how I want to set my table for a fancy alfresco dinner next time.
I hope this inspires you & answers all your questions about how to make this beautiful outdoor summer table at your home & backyard.
by Tara Lehman
Don’t Forget to Pin my Outdoor Summer Tablescape & Save it to your Favorite Summer Pinterest Board!
8 More Summer Tablescape Ideas
Check out all home decor tips for how to create the perfect summer table inside r out with 8 more summer tablescape ideas from blogging friends hosted by Jenn & Vicki from 2 Bees in a Pod & Coco from The Crowned Goat.
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More Summer Ideas You Might Enjoy
Tara – this tablescape is gorgeous! Your tips and ideas show all of us how to re-create this pretty table. The mason jar tea lights are a fabulous idea. You already know how much we love your patio and arbor! Great job!
Thank you guys so much for including me in this fun new series and for your sweet comments about my summer table :).
What a fabulous spot to enjoy a glass of wine and relax after a fun day, Tara! You grow the prettiest flowers I swear you need to host a gardening class 🙂 I love all the classic touches you added to make this space so beautiful. Hugs, CoCo
Thank you so much for including me in this new series CoCo! Gardening really is a kind of therapy for me so I appreciate your comments about my garden very much :).
Love your outdoor setting! Beautiful flowers too! Great minds think alike! 😉
Ha, thanks Lindsay! Hydrangeas really are the best flowers to decorate with :).
I love outdoor dining. Your setting is perfect for entertaining and relaxing with a glass of wine. The 2 bug repellent luminaries are such a great idea. I am going to give those a try on my front porch
Thanks BonBon! The bug repellant luminaries really looked pretty and were so easy to make!
Oh my goodness Tara, it’s SO pretty! You know I’m loving the neutral colours and that lovely little cloche looks so perfect all lit up with lights!
Thank you so much Kristi!
Everything is perfect, Tara! I love that you stuck to a green and white color palette. It ‘s beautiful and so fresh for summer.
Thank you so much Amy!
This is beautiful Tara, I love the rustic wood table with those white hydrangeas!
Thank you Roxanne!
It looks so beautiful – I love all of the different shades of white and all of the texture! I’d love to have dinner here! 🙂
Thanks so much Amanda! And you are welcome to stop by for dinner anytime 🙂
Oh, everything looks so picture perfect! I love the flowers and at night, everything looks magical!
Thanks so much Carolann! It really was fun to put it all together 🙂