Are you looking to create a gorgeous space to enjoy summer mealtimes or host a dinner party? Keep reading for 30 stunning ideas for your summer tablescape! You’ll see inspiration for both indoor and outdoor tables, party ideas, and budget-friendly, simple options!
Summer Table Decor for a Home Oasis
I’ve recently become a fan of decorating a tablescape each season. Even if I don’t have the energy to decorate every nook and cranny of my home, adding seasonal decor to the dining table at least signifies that the seasons have changed.
A summer tablescape doesn’t have to be complicated. It really can be as simple as some of your favorite fresh flowers – picked from your own yard or frugal grocery store varieties – in a mason jar on the table!
There are lots of ways to go about creating a summer tablescape. Before we get to the list of all the gorgeous ideas, let me go over a few tips!
Tips for Creating the Summer Table of Your Dreams
1| Think about the table’s function
Will you be setting your table up for everyday use and dining? Maybe you’ll want to just keep it simple with a summer centerpiece and a table runner. You can add a few candles or bud vases if you want to add a little extra!
Are you hosting a dinner party? Think about if you’ll be using the table buffet-style or if it’s a sit-down dinner with individual place settings.
Are you going for a formal look for summer entertaining or more of a casual look for low-key gatherings and use?
Is the table something you’re setting up for the whole summer season or just a specific occasion?
The answer to these questions will dictate the direction of your table.
2| Shop what you have
Lots of times, you can really repurpose what you have! Most of the time, I use neutral chargers, runners, and vases and just add in season accents like florals, napkins, and other decor.
Mason jars, baskets, dough bowls, candles all can be use from season to season.
3| Think about color scheme
There are so many inspiring ideas… I honestly would love to use them all!
But your table will look most cohesive if you pick a color palette.
Think about if you like soft pastels or cheerful brights. Usually, I like pastels for spring and bright colors for summer. But that’s totally up to you!
The pictures below will give you some great ideas for color schemes.
4| Think about a theme.
There are so many fun themes you can use for summer!
Here are a few that I love:
Floral
You can never go wrong with a floral theme for summer, and it’s probably the easiest to pull off!
Coastal
In this theme, you can lean toward beachy vibes with sea glass lanterns, sea shells, and driftwood. You can also lean more nautical with boats and shipping accents. You can even include a lobster theme in there as well!
Fruit
There are so many gorgeous fruit-inspired themes for summer. Incorporating lemon decor, blueberries, sliced citrus fruits, and peaches are perfect ways to incorporate a fruit theme!
Garden
You can lean toward a veggie garden theme with garden markers and veggie decor like radishes and artichokes. Or you can lean toward a backyard flower garden using daisies, lilacs, and other wildflowers you can forage.
Patriotic
Red, white, and blue decor works for the entire summer! Kicking off the season with Memorial Day, cruising into 4th of July, and ending with Labor Day, you can keep your patriotic decor out the whole summer long.
Color
Your color scheme can also be your theme!
Backyard Party
This might be a combo of a few themes together, but a backyard dinner party might have a mix of some of the above or bring in some other food specific ideas, such as themed dessert tables, appetizers, special seating and lighting.
30 Gorgeous Summer Table Decorating Ideas that Will Absolutely Inspire You
Let’s get to the good stuff! Below you’ll see examples of both indoor and outdoor summer tablescapes.
I love how simple things are brought together to create this chic and romantic scene! The blue vintage mason jars are perfect for these shorter summer blooms. The small tea lights and assortments of fruits laid out bring fun pops of color to the table. Using a sheer scarf as a runner is a genius way to tie all these elements together. Summer nights are the inspiration for this outdoor tablescape. White, gold and corals create a warm feel to this scene. The neutral-colored rug and throw faux furs are perfect touches to make dining on the ground a comfy affair. I love how Leanna also brought the colors used on the table with the plush pillows for seating. Having big florals add a bit of flair and romance to this theme. I also love how Leanne has different charcuterie boards as anchors on both sides of the table. Yes, you can use fruit to create a theme for your summer table! I love this one with sliced lemons and blueberries, which help set the gorgeous blue and yellow theme! So refreshing and vibrant! An outdoor deck is a perfect place to dine in the summer! Florals are always a classy choice. The pops of yellow and red add cheer and brightness to this tablescape, and the sheer runner layered on the floral tablecloth adds another layer of class. The cozy chargers and centerpieces made of woven rope bring texture and warmth. I love how Stacy had peaches come to life with this bright and colorful outdoor tablescape idea! She used an array of fresh-cut flowers and fruit to decorate the table to create an organic feel. Stacy also used cedar branch placemats to add some texture and nature to the table. The simple touches of a sheer peach colored tablecloth as a runner ties this warm theme together. I like this fresh green and white summer tablescape idea! The different types of plates work together to give a pop of color to the table as well as a sense of texture. I adore the use of the mini green vases for the white flowers. The mini easels with canvases are clever ways to continue adding color to the table and could also be used as name plates for your guests. Using the cake stand with the cake and some decorations as a This simple and bright tablescape is a fun one to put together for a casual brunch with family and friends. Layering the theme colors for the place settings is a cute idea. The design on the placemats provides a pop of color to the table. The floral napkin holders are a soft touch of sun to each table setting. My favorite idea on this table is the centerpiece. Using small vases and putting summer blooms in them, like these hydrangeas, is an easy way to create a focal point your guests will enjoy. These pink peonies are the perfect inspiration for this pink and blue tablescape. Using blue and white helps to make the pink in these blooms pop. The floral rattan placemats and candle holders add texture to the table. The tiny sprigs of ivy and fern are an extra special touch of the change of seasons from spring to summer. Lilacs are so nostalgic for me and instantly bring me back to my childhood! I absolutely love to see a summer tablescape created around this theme! The lilacs do all the heavy lifting here! Stunning! I love using warm hues like the one used in this tablescape! The pinks, gold, and coral colors provide a loving, cozy feel. Texture is added to this bare table with the rattan placemats and the sprigs of fern on each plate. The greens and blues add hints of color that highlight the warn theme. The floral arrangements and the napkins bring a touch of whimsy and fun to the table. I love everything about this table! The fresh fruit, the colorful flowers, the adorable chargers, even the bright paper straws! This is poolside dining at its finest! I always love Lucy's decor ideas! This is such a charming table for summer...sweet wildflower daisies paired with bright yellow lemons. It's cheerful, inviting, and gorgeous, especially if you love the cottagecore aesthetic. Here's another way to use fruit to establish a table theme - summer peaches! Peaches are a quintessential summer fruit, and I just love how they are incorporate here as well as create a lovely color scheme. I love the simplicity and class of this table. The pink and white flowers are perfect for this setting. The glass bottles keep things light and bright. I love the striped linens - florals and stripes are one of my all-time favorite combos! If you're throwing a dinner party with more in more of a buffet style setting, you can create a gorgeous summer tablescape with a few simple decor pieces! Tall candlesticks, fresh clippings from your own flowers and trees placed in a glass pitched with a festive tag wrapped with raffia... you have an elegant and country chic table that is sure to impress! Kim brings warmth and fun to her table with her al fresco dining ideas. Her floral arrangements are a sweet blend of not only colors but different shapes of flowers, especially in the centerpiece. Kim also plays with shapes and patterns with her place settings. The tea lights are an added touch to bring a bit of an intimate feel to the scene. A vintage look is always the way to go for a classy look! The full flower centerpiece along with the vintage planter and table create an elevated and charming table for guests! You can never go wrong with a beach theme for a summer table! Seashells are the perfect decor item to accent your dough bowl along with a sea-glass inspired nautical lantern (a fun DIY!). I love the sweet sand dollars at each place setting too! Seashells are great because they usually are personally collected (i.e. free!) and bring personal memories of some special family time, too! Here's another way to create a coastal themed table! I like the simplicity of this beach themed centerpiece idea. A circular vase is an excellent way for everyone at the table to see the fun touches added to it. The white sand, mini seashells, and starfish help to bring the beach to the table. The blue and green blooms remind me of different shades of the ocean. Finally, the tones of mini tealight holders across the table help to tie the rest of this table together. The clean approach of this festive 4th of July tablescape is a clever one to use if you are dining outdoors. I like how red and white gingham tablecloths were used as a base for this table, while giving it a patriotic feel. The blues of the mason jars, napkins, and on the plate help to complete this feeling. The woven placemats and the floral arrangements soften the look of this table while bringing some outdoor elements to this table setting. The flags are a fun finishing touch to help celebrate this historic day. This lobster theme is a fun way to bring the beach to your table during the summer months. Using red as the main color on the tablecloth helps to feature the dish being served. I love how outdoor elements, like the driftwood and stones, are used to bring the beach to the table. There are so many things to look at on this blue and white nautical summer tablescape! The seagrass placemats add dimension and texture to the table. The hurricane vase is a brilliant way of adding beach elements to this scene. What brought a smile to my face was the sailboat made from pieces found outdoors. The sprigs of flowers in mini blue vases, the additional seashells, and starfish dotting the table are fun ways to tie this whole theme together. Liz Marie is never short on original ideas! I love this garden-themed table! Garden markers and mini vegetables at each place setting, bee flour sack towels as place mats, and a gorgeous, layered centerpiece pulls it all together! Here's another way to do lemons! This lemon summer tablescape is a sweet one! I like how the gold-colored cutlery plays off the lemons around the table. It is a great idea to combine these green plates with white ones and the black chargers. Each layer stands out on its own while blending into each other. Adding the greenery to the centerpiece brings a freshness to the scene. I think it was smart to tie everything together with this folded black and white tablecloth. Kate shared a blue and white brunch tablescape idea I would want How inviting is this space?!?! I just love the bottle vases and lights hanging from the table bar. And what a creative idea to use a country quilt as a table cloth! The candles and table garland are the perfect accents for this country table! You can always count on Deb to create a classy table! This chic black and white themed table is stylish and has just the right summer touch with the woven fans and sprigs of green at each place setting along with the cozy candle lanterns! So elegant and inviting! I'm a huge fan of the 'unset' table tablescape! It's breezy, casual, and so inviting, making guests feel like they are right at home. The simple decor with a minimalist black and white along with summer greens emphasize the breeziness and simplicity of summer! If a more laid-back theme is what you’re looking to put together for your summer tablescape, this simple outdoor idea is one to try! I love the idea of using branches right off your tree as a table runner. They add a bit of the natural scenery around you to your table. The round woven placemats bring a softness to the scene while keeping things simple and clean. The added touches of larger leaves to white dishware are a fun way to add a calming, beach-like feel to your table. If cozy neutrals are your aesthetic, give this one a try! This summer tablescape for one Julie put together is a cute idea. The pink sand dollar plate works well with the ivory charger. The starfish, seashell, and the twine wrapped around the napkin gives an easy, beach-like feel to this tablescape. The wildflowers in the farmhouse vase and the sand-colored pot add an easiness to the look of this table.Summer Tablescape Ideas
Romantic Country Chic Tablescape
Outdoor Summer Tablescape
Fruit Inspired Summer Tablescape
Floral Themed Summer Tablescape
Peachy Summer Tablescape
Green & White Summer Tablescape
centerpiece is a classy way to bring this theme together.
Simple and Bright Summer Tablescape
Blue and Pink Summer Tablescape
Outdoor Lilac Tablescape
Floral and Fern Summer Tablescape
Breezy and Bright Summer Tablescape
Lemons and Wild Daisies Easy Summer Tablescape
Peach Themed Summer Tablescape
Pink Peonies Summer Table
Backyard Buffet Inspired Summer Tablescape
Summer Tablescape Ideas for Al Fresco Dining
Vintage Summer Garden Party Peony Inspired Tablescape
Coastal Summer Tablescape
Simple DIY Beach Theme Centerpiece
4th of July Tablescape
Lobster Decor Ideas for a Coastal-Themed Table
Blue and White Nautical Summer Tablescape
Garden Themed Summer Tablescape
Lemon Summer Tablescape
Beautiful Blue and White Brunch Table
to use to brighten mornings during the summer! The blue and white chinoiserie ginger jars help to set the scene and act as anchors to the floral arrangement on the table. I like how Kate matched the woven placemats with the blue and white gingham napkins and the blue and white dishware. The mini black and white photos add a bit of fun and whimsy to each place setting.
Charming Country Summer Table
Stylish Modern Summer Tablescape
Simple and Chic Unset Summer Table
Nature Inspired Summer Tablescape
Beachy and Bright Summer Table Setting
If you create a summer table, I’d love to see it! Tag me on Instagram @100affections, and I’ll share in my stories!
More Summer Decor Ideas for the Home
If you need more ideas to inspire you for a breezy, relaxing summer home, check out these posts!
Outdoor Summer Living: Lovely & Versatile Patio Oasis Ideas
35+ Stylish Front Porch Decorating Ideas for a Summer Oasis
Stylish Spring to Summer Decorating Ideas {Before & After Pics!}
30+ Fresh and Beautiful Summer Mantel Decorating Ideas
Absolutely Fabulous Backyard Deck Ideas on a Budget
Relaxing Backyard Decorating Ideas on a Budget
Other thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
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