Table Dressing: Summer parties

How To Dress Your Table For A Summer Dinner Party

Taking the time to dress your table for a summer dinner party is well worth the effort. It pinches everything nicely together, creates a talking point and establishes you as the ‘hostess with the mostest’ when bringing your friends and family together.

Summer encourages spending time with loved ones: lazy summer evenings filled with delicious food and drink, laughter and a much-needed catch-up in the bustle of busy summer lives. Help nurture this welcoming and summery atmosphere with a beautiful table setting that will woo your guests.

A tablescape can seem a daunting task to begin with, but is actually super easy to do by pulling together household items you probably already own. Follow these five simple steps for the perfect summer table setting and get ready to host your next dinner party.

Choose a theme

Before you begin the task of setting your table, first decide on the theme you want to incorporate. Some good ideas for summery table settings are botanical; summer colours such as yellow, baby pink and white; or more exotic styles such as Moroccan or French that mix up textures to remind you of summer holidays past.

Begin with basics: tablecloths and table runners

You might prefer to use the surface of your table without a tablecloth, but a crisp white tablecloth gives you a completely blank surface to begin setting on. It cancels out any pre-existing colour schemes and gives you so much flexibility with the colours you do want to work with. A table runner is the next step after laying out your tablecloth - use one that ties in with your colour scheme or theme.

Table runners are widely available but try picking one up from an independent seller, or you could even make your own if you fancied. Fabric paint can be found online or from art shops, enabling you to make a table runner that is completely unique to you and your family.

Set the table and don’t be shy with what you want to use

Dust out your favourite crockery that holds a lot of value to you, and don’t be afraid of something being broken! Our favourite interior pieces and crockery are there to be used – don’t let a beautiful wedding gift collect dust in a cupboard for fear of breakages. Mix newer and older pieces to present a multidimensional vibe that shows off your style and your theme. Don’t be afraid to break up porcelain sets and mix and match what you use: salt and pepper shakers from one, jugs and glassware from another.

Little extras that make your summer table

One of the biggest benefits of the summer season is the abundance of fresh flowers. Add vases of seasonal flowers to the table that go with your theme, or herb pots so guests can help themselves to their own seasonings whilst bringing greenery to the table. Adding a flower or snippet of succulent to the napkin holder can also make each guest feel welcomed and summery. A keepsake gift is also a nice touch - make personalised name placements made from marble or have napkins engraved with your guests initials so they have a little something to take home.