Stylish Summer Tablescapes To Copy (From Someone Who’s Spilled Wine On Hers More Than Once)🌿 Introduction I’ll admit it: I used to think “tablescape” was just a fancy word people on Pinterest used to make the rest of us feel bad about our sad little kitchen tables.
I mean—who has time to arrange lemons and eucalyptus artfully down the middle of the table when you’re also cooking dinner, chasing kids (or pets), and trying not to set anything on fire?
But a couple of years ago, after one too many backyard meals with paper plates and zero vibe, I decided to try putting in a tiny bit more effort.
Turns out—it doesn’t have to be expensive or even that hard. And honestly? Even my husband, who used to roll his eyes, now gets into it (he claims it’s just for the Instagram likes, but I know he likes the candles).
Here are some of my favorite summer tablescape ideas—most of which I’ve tried myself (some more successfully than others).
Steal them, tweak them, make them your own. Or just laugh at my failures.
The “Grab Every Lemon in the Fridge”
TableOkay, real talk: I forgot to buy flowers once. The company was coming in an hour. So I panicked, opened the fridge, and found a bag of sad-looking lemons.
I just scattered them down the runner. Boom—“Tuscan chic.”
Guests were so impressed. Someone even said it smelled “so fresh.” I didn’t admit it was my emergency plan.
Highly recommend for when you forget everything else.
Picnic Blanket
This one’s great if you want to pretend you’re laid-back and boho.
We dragged an old blanket (literally our couch throw) onto the grass. Added a few pillows. Ate off enamel plates like we were glamping.
Did my toddler spill juice everywhere? Yes.Did the dog try to steal the bread? Absolutely.
But it was fun, and the photos looked amazing.
Rustic “I Didn’t Iron This” Farmhouse Vibes Listen—I don’t even own an iron.
My “rustic linen tablecloth” is just wrinkled by default. Add a few mason jars with flowers (or weeds, honestly).
Once, I picked wildflowers from the side of the road. My friend asked if they were from a fancy florist. I just nodded.
Candles Everywhere (Wind Be Damned)
One of my favorite tricks: light all the candles you own. Tapers, tea lights, old jam jars with votives—I don’t discriminate.
Of course, if you’re outside, the wind will try to ruin it. I’ve resorted to using hurricane glasses, upside-down vases, and even wine bottles to block the breeze.
It’s… rustic engineering.
The “I Found This at the Flea Market” Table have this old lace tablecloth I got for $5 at a yard sale.
It has a tiny stain I can’t get out, so I strategically place the bread basket over it.
Layer it with thrift-store plates, mismatched glasses, and a smug sense of eco-friendly pride.
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Beachy Without the Beach
We don’t live anywhere near the ocean, but that doesn’t stop me.I use a navy striped runner, white plates, and a bowl of shells my kid collected (some from the dollar store, let’s be real).
It feels coastal enough for me to justify serving shrimp cocktail.
Backyard Fiesta. Perfect for taco night.
Bright, woven runner I got in Mexico (okay, the local import store). Mismatched plates. Salsa in tiny bowls.
One time I tried to make margaritas and forgot the tequila. It was basically lime juice. No one let me forget it.
In the summer of Wildflower Explosion, I overdid it.
I cut every flower I could find in the yard and stuffed them into every glass and jar I owned. It looked like a flower shop exploded.
But it smelled amazing, and my neighbor came over just to see.
The “I’m Lazy but Minimalist”
Look at the white tablecloth. White plates. Eucalyptus branch down the middle.
That’s it.
It looks expensive, took 5 minutes, and makes you seem like you have your life together—even if you very much do not.
Vintage China From Grandma
(Or the Thrift Store)I inherited a set of floral plates from my grandmother.
They’re so old-fashioned they’re cool again.
Perfect for brunch. Guests always comment.
Bonus: they force you to eat like a civilized person because you don’t want to chip them.
Sunset Colors
Orange, coral, pink—anything that screams “golden hour.”
Once I used cheap orange paper napkins and leftover peach candles. Looked surprisingly intentional.
Pro tip: set the table before the sun sets so you don’t do it in the dark like I did once.
Mediterranean Inspired
Terracotta plates. Olive branches (I may have clipped them from my neighbor’s tree).
Bowls of hummus and olives. Carafe of cheap red wine.
Basically pretending you’re in Greece instead of your backyard.
Boho Layers
Couldn’t pick one theme? Don’t.
I’ve layered a Turkish towel as a tablecloth, added patterned plates, colored glassware, and random candles.
My friend called it “eclectic.” I call it “I didn’t feel like matching.”
The Potluck Chaos
Table is for when you stop pretending.
Paper plates. Everyone’s random serving dishes. Store-bought potato salad in its plastic container.
Still fun. Still counts.
Sometimes it’s the best meals because you’re not stressing.
“I Just Want to Feel Fancy” Table
Break out the nice cloth napkins.
Real wine glasses. Cloth runner (even if it’s just a scarf—no one knows).
Light every candle. Play music.
Even if you’re just serving spaghetti, everyone feels special.
🌞 Wrap-Up: Make It YoursHonestly? Don’t overthink it.
Most of these ideas started as me panicking or trying to cover up a stain.
Guests don’t care if your runner was $5 or $50. They remember laughing over spilled wine, eating too much bread, and staying out in the yard until the candles burned down.
That’s the point.
So steal these ideas, mess them up, make them your own. And if you have your own go-to summer table tricks (or fails), share them with me. I’m always looking for new ways to distract people from my cooking.
Cheers to summer meals that feel a little extra—even if they’re perfectly imperfect.