Are you ready for the summer? Well, it is looking like it could be a hot one, and when it is hot, I know that I love having my friends come over, so that we can enjoy a nice summertime meal. When it is time to host those summertime get-togethers, you need to be on your A-game when it comes to setting up the perfect summer table for your dinner party. In this guide, I am going to give you five tips that will help you have the perfect summer table for these types of events:
Go Floral
Summer is a time for growing things, which means that flowers are most likely growing aplenty just about everywhere you look. The simple fact is: flowers are one of the prettiest aspects of the warm season, so why not incorporate them into your summer dinner party?
When it comes to adding floral accents to your party, there does not have to necessarily be any rhyme or reason; just the presence of flowers on and around the table adds a lot of pizzazz and energy to the room. Personally, I love to have a big vase of peonies as the focal point of my summer dinner table during my get-togethers. They add a light airy feel to the environment and they smell absolutely wonderful, but they will not distract from the meal.
Color Is Your Friend
This partially overlaps with the “go floral” concept, but when the summer is here, adding color to your summer dinner party is the way to go. There are a lot of ways to add outrageous amounts of color to your soirees, but one of my favorites comes from a very simple source: the tablecloth.
Tablecloths can be multicolored, have stylized accents, or can add a single splash of color that can really tie your summer table together when it is time to have guests over for dinner. Table linens are actually fairly complex, however I love to have colorful cloths with a few floral designs on them at my summer dinner parties.
If you already have a tablecloth selected, placemats, salt shakers, even plates can all be used to liven up the get-together just try to accessorize the color and do not be afraid to go bright; it is the summer after all.
Centerpieces Make A Drab Table Pop
Accessories can make any décor really shine, so it should not be too surprising that you can use a table centerpiece to bring the aesthetic of your dinner party into focus. There are millions of table centerpiece ideas to select from, but here are a few that I really love:
• Wooden Lazy Susans: This is a great piece to set flowers, tea, or hors d’oeuvres for your guests. These can take on a lot of shapes and sizes, but they all really will bring together the aesthetic of your tablescape.
• Burlap Table Toppers: If you are running with a rustic design aesthetic for your summertime dinner party décor, then I suggest giving simple burlap a try. It adds a natural and earthy feeling to your summertime design.
• Candles: When you want a real sense of intimacy, there is no better centerpiece than one that showcases candles. In the past, I have used a simple glass bowl filled with water to showcase floating votives during my dinner parties.
• Fresh Fruit Bowls: This does not have to specifically be a bowl, in fact, I love wicker baskets full of fruit as well. In any case, the fruit will add a lot of color to your dinner party, as well as something for your guest to grab a bite out of between dishes.
Rustic Looks Great
There is a lot of charm in the rustic. As I mentioned, having natural earth tones like what can be found in burlap really adds an earthy feeling to your summer get-togethers. When you are going for a rustic look, you can tie it all together with viny plants, smaller flowers like daisies, and a checkerboard tablecloth.
Additionally, you can add wicker tablemats, wooden dinnerware, and fresh fruit to really bring that down home charm. I think that a bit of empty space looks great on a rustic table, so do not be afraid to let a little of the wood from your table shine through.
Do Not Be Afraid To Add The Little Details
Details are very important. This means that if the impulse strikes you, add little accessories to your summertime table setup. These do not have to be centerpieces; I like to use mason jars with fruits and veggies inside for a visual accent from time to time. Just last year, I used handmade paper pinwheels that I set in empty wine bottles to add a little spirit to our Fourth of July celebration.
The point is, do not be afraid to make your summer dinner party specific to your own specific style. Your guests are there for you, so it is just apropos to bring a bit of yourself to your tablescape design.
Each of these ideas will enhance your guest’s experience. Do not be shy about any of them; you can mix and match ideas to create entirely new experiences for you and your guests. In any case, enjoy your summer and may your dinner parties be the talk of the town.
Jessica Kane is a writer for SIlver Superstore, home of the internet’s best flatware.
