5 Colourful and Creative Summer Table Setting Ideas

Summer is here!

In Australia, summer lasts from December to February. Three months of experiencing longer days and warm weather.

It is also a great time to have some outdoor dining. Dining indoors during summer is no fun.

A perfect summer equals good food, great company, and a beautiful table setting. A well-set table not only impresses your guests. It also creates an atmosphere anyone would love to dine at.

But pulling off a summer-centric table setting can be a tall order. We know this.

Here is some inspiration to help you achieve a flawless summer table setting.

1. Lush Garden Table Setting

Reconnect with nature and enjoy dining under a shade in this setting.

To bring the country look to your setting, use bare dinner tables. Bare tables are a chance to show off your beautiful wooden furniture.

Place a short burlap table runner with some writing on your dinner table. Let the writings ooze the love and warmth of summer.

You want your centrepieces to be the focal point of your setting. Go for a veggie-flower combo as your centrepiece.

Mix flowers and vegetables rich in colour and texture running from one end of the table to the other. This arrangement is stunning and edible!

To make your tables even more intriguing, try a mix and match of stemware. Use coloured and clear glasses in different shapes and sizes.

This is perfect for serving summer cocktails, lemonade, and wine for your guests.

For your placemats, use rustic wooden ones on each place setting. Then place your dinner plates. Next to the plates, place folded napkins tucked with cutlery.

2. Casual Picnic Table Setting

Turn your restaurant patio into a picnic setting. Let your guests enjoy a casual and relaxed dining experience.

This doesn’t mean you should lay out a blanket on the ground. Instead, place your picnic-inspired tablescape on your dinner tables.

Use long rectangular dinner tables to create an intimate atmosphere for your guests. Then bring the sun to your tables with yellow and white gingham tablecloths.

Also, place patterned napkins in white and yellow on your dinner plates. The yellow and white tablecloths pop against the rustic texture of the wooden tables.

For your stemware, place both wine and juice glasses on the table. The juice glasses should have a paper straw for functional and aesthetic purposes.

Add more colour to your tables by placing sunny yellow roses in mason jars. Wrap the jars with strips of the yellow and white gingham tablecloth.

Then place the mason jars with flowers on a wooden cake stand. Using natural elements for your centrepieces gives off a rustic vibe.

The sun is out!

3. Bohemian Table Setting

Image from: Agung Pandit Wiguna

Summer is a great time to infuse your table setting with a bohemian touch. This setting incorporates sunny hues to bring joy to guests.

Uses rustic wooden tables because they give texture to your setting. Seat guests in an intimate family seating style.

Since this is dining at a low table, stack cosy throw pillows or fabric pouffes. Let them be comfortable for guests to sit on. Place pillows and pouffes in a variety of sizes, texture and in vibrant colours.

Incorporate bold prints and patterns with table runners and napkins. Orange is a beautiful and feminine choice of colour. It also reflects the summer feel.

Place fine bohemian china plates and an assortment of vibrant glassware. These will add some elegance to your tables and are great for serving cocktails.

For cutlery, bring out your golden set and make the table shine.

Don’t just focus on floral centrepieces. Spice up the setting by adding edible elements to it. Place a brass bowl with oranges as the centrepieces.

Think beyond the table. Lay a vintage Morrocan rug carpet on your floor in a colour and pattern that pops. This creates some visual interest around your tables.

4. Citrus-Themed Table Setting

The summer heat can drain one’s energy levels. Citrus fruits help you remain hydrated and cool off from the heat.

Charm your guests with a citrus-themed table setting. This setting is colourful and makes use of oranges, limes and lemons.

Create a fresh and green citrus tablescape using eucalyptus branches and citrus fruits. Add rose flowers to your tablescape. This tablescape screams “I love summer!”

Mix whole fruits and those sliced into halves. This creates some dimension and balance on your dinner tables. It is also perfect for a summer gathering.

Place a woven charger on each place setting to bring texture to your tables. Then place matching white dinner plates for each place setting.

The white plates have a pattern that resembles a halved orange or lime. This blends well with the citrus theme.

Enhance your guest’s dining experience by setting out a matching white napkin. Fold these and place them on the dinner plates.

Place a sweet citrus fruit on top of the dinner plates. The orange colour of the fruit pops against a white background.

Bring dimension to the table by adding an assortment of glasses of varying heights. Serve guests some lemonade and let them sip it as they bask in the sun.

5. Sand and Sun Table Setting

Image from: PunkToad

Summer and sand are a perfect match.

Transform your restaurant patio into a beautiful sun and sand table setting.

Recreate the feeling of being at the beach using beach umbrellas for your setting. They reflect the beauty and magnificence of the beach.

Use a low dining table. Place a floor rug and cushions in a colour inspired by the sun and sand. Make the cushions comfortable for your guests.

Keep your centrepieces elaborate. Consider beach elements for your table, such as seashells and pearls.

Bring a sense of summer freshness to your tables. Place hurricane vases filled with flowers.

For each place setting, use a  blue ocean-themed napkin. Your guests will feel like they're relaxing on the beach!

Order Your Table Linen!

Follow these ideas and you’ll be well on your way to planning a stress-free summer table setting.

For stylish food and beverage linen, head to Australian Linen Supply. They provide quality products and services.

Customers love their experience at ALS. Here is what some of them had to say:

“As always, your products are excellent, affordable and with great quality! Thank you.” — Anna P.

“I am happy with the service provided by this company. Our order arrived within days of purchasing & the customer service was immaculate. Thank you for your help.” — Jess P.

“The items received were exactly as described and so far appear to be of great quality. The service is friendly, superior and is second to none and the delivery was super fast. I look forward to my next order.” — David C.

You, too, can be the next happy customer. 

Contact ALS and make your order today!

Feature Image: Peakpx