Easy Ideas For A Unique Outdoor Tablescape

I have to say this tablescape is one of my favorites. I visualized it in my head for months and when it came together I was quite pleased with myself. It just goes to show that you can decorate a table with items you already have and a few simple additions, and it’s perfect for a spring, summer, or fall dinner party al fresco.

Set the table in a space that’s intimate and relaxed such as a deck or patio. If the space is small you can’t help but get cozy with one another. It feels private, secluded, and intimate, which encourages conversation and connection.

If your space feels too large and expansive, add some potted plants to surround the area and help it feel smaller.

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Table Cover

What makes this table so unique? For starters, I used my faux rawhide rug as the table topper. It creates instant whimsy and is a conversation piece, plus the black and white base is a neutral palette to build on. I should point out it’s a decorative piece that’s not in an area that gets walked on.

I placed black and white dishes in a way that provides more place settings if you alternate the order in which they’re layered. For instance, some use a black dinner plate with white salad plate, while others use the white dinner plate with a black salad plate.

It’s a clever trick you can use if you have two sets of four place settings, and you need eight. You can see how I used the same technique in this outdoor Thanksgiving table.

Place Settings

This is one table setting where chargers are not part of the design. That’s because the rug is so interesting and the overall pattern is part of the look. Adding a charger would take away from that.

After layering the black and white dishes, I topped each one with a mini wood board so each guest can make their own charcuterie board appetizer. These individual boards are unexpected and take the table to the next level.

I’ve used these black utensils on several tables and I love how modern and stylized they are.

Black napkins pair so well with wood napkin rings, which tie in with the wood boards. The combination is not quite rustic, but the natural elements like wood and rawhide give warmth and textural appeal.

For this table design, I loved the casual charm of using tumbler glasses for wine rather than traditional stems. It’s giving old Italian family dinner vibes. That’s what I love about tablescapes and entertaining; you can get creative and break some rules!

Make unique place card holders for each guest by tying on a name tag to a small potted flower. Even though small dinner parties don’t NEED place cards, they add a touch of personalization and decoration.

You’ll notice I didn’t even transfer these small pots; I simply wrapped each of the plastic pots in brown kraft paper and tied with twine. I think it adds more charm without adding too much cost.

Serve snack platters at the ends of the table, family-style. Start with veggie sticks and charcuterie and let everyone build their own charcuterie board.

Centerpiece

For the centerpiece, it doesn’t get much easier than potted flowers. Transfer them into terracotta pots and line them down the middle of the table.

These are kalanchoe and are readily available at garden centers, depending on the time of year or region you’re in. I love how the pink flowers add a pop of color to the black and white table! Plus, you can plant them in the garden or use them as houseplants when you’re done.

Party Favors

The small potted flowers at each place setting are the ideal take home party favor. Choose a color that coordinates with your table; in this case I used pink and white flowers that can be planted for the summer.

Serving Food

This tablescape decor makes a beautiful backdrop to a variety of al fresco dinner ideas, from a casual summer dinner party with little cooking, to a light and rustic menu. Here are some tips for serving in style.

1. Decant the wine so it can breathe. Serve it from a small table on the side to make sure the table has room for the appetizer platters.
2. Provide charcuterie and cheese on a marble and wood board that guests can select from to add to their individual boards. It’s a fuss-free starter that everyone loves.
   • For my cheese board I found some Italian truffle cheese along with cured salami. I added a gorgeous herb & blossom crusted cheese that tastes as good as it looks, as well as olives and Marcona almonds.
3. I added a modern spin on a crudites platter. These scattered sticks and slices of vegetables are popular with caterers now. They look so artistic and colorful all placed together in an abstract pattern. I included carrots, celery, asparagus, yellow pepper, radishes and an avocado ranch dressing for dipping. It makes such a pretty presentation on the white marble board, don’t you think?
4. Decorate the platters with small blooms to add color and coordinate with the flowers on the tablescape.
5. For dessert I’m keeping it simple with chocolate ice cream (or gelato), thin crispy cookies, and a light drizzle of Italian black cherries in syrup. Simplicity at its best! Pre-scoop the ice cream into bowls and keep in the freezer until ready to serve.

Final Tips

So, what’s the high and low of this table design? For one thing I incorporated an abundance of flowers (high) but in flower pots rather than cut arrangements (low). The place settings can be considered high with their individual boards, but all the wood details add an earthy quality (low).

In regards to unexpected details, the choice to use a rawhide rug for a tablecloth is definitely outside the box, but totally works. And sipping wine from glass tumblers instead of stemware goes against the norm, but lends itself to a bit of old-world charm.

I hope you love this creative outdoor tablescape as much as I do. It’s all about piecing together interesting elements to make a unique design that’s warm and welcoming for guests.