Now that spring is finally here, it’s time to live outside again. And that means enjoying a relaxing meal on your beautiful patio with the people you love. To celebrate patio season, we’ve brought together an exciting collection of outdoor entertaining essentials – dinnerware, drinkware, linens, candles, and gorgeous potted plants too. And here, we take you step-by-step through each element to help you create the perfect setting for your next outdoor gathering.
Shatterproof Dinnerware + Drinkware
Enjoy an elegant outdoor meal without the hassle of hauling out your heavy – and breakable – indoor dishes. For a durable and lightweight outdoor entertaining option, consider using melamine plates, bowls, and serving pieces. Our melamine collection comes in several elegant styles including designs that are inspired by fabrication printing techniques. And some look exactly like stoneware and other natural materials. Many styles draw inspiration from the beauty of marble, wood, or stone – so they can be mixed and matched easily into a seamless, nature-inspired collection.
And whether you’re sitting back with a glass of wine or cooling down with some cold ice tea, you’ll want the same durability in your drinkware too. In our collection, you’ll find a variety of drinking glasses, tumblers, and wine glasses – all made of shatterproof acrylic. But they look so much like real glassware, you’ll only know the difference when you pick one up.
Outdoor Table Linens
Indoors or out, a beautiful tablescape isn’t complete without table linens. Fabric napkins are an easy way to dress up casual outdoors gatherings – and they won’t fly away on a gust of wind. They’re also reusable, so they’re good to the environment too. We have several new sets of napkins we’re excited to show you, along with our selection of coordinating placemats and table runners.
When you visit, be sure to take a look at our outdoor placemats and rugs from Chilewich. Our Chilewich collection features a unique vinyl yarn that’s durable, washable, and protected from mold and mildew by Microban. Their clean, modern weaves come in an exciting variety of colors, but if you don’t see something you like in our assortment, just ask – we can place a special order for you too.
Evening Lighting
Once you’ve chosen the perfect table setting, it’s time to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your outdoor room. Candlelight sets a relaxing mood, and open wicker lanterns are a great way to bring flickering light to the evening without feeling so heavy on your deck or patio. Our decorative lanterns are available as tabletop or large standing pieces, so you can add them to a side table or around your dining space. Or, if you prefer the timeless look of glass, you might consider adding a few glass hurricane candle-holders. Our collection includes beautiful styles in a variety of sizes.
For some added fragrance to create a more welcoming space for your guests, check out our assortment from Himalayan Trading Post. Hand-poured in Georgia, these artisan candles feature a clean-burning, soy-wax blend – infused with high-quality essential oils and complex, nostalgic scents like ginger patchouli, tobacco bark, and grapefruit pine. The reusable containers are wonderful too. The large driftwood tray and rustic tree-bark vessel have multiple wicks, allowing even more of that fragrance to float through the evening air and tie everything together.
Potted Plants
Once the weather warms up, it’s time to invite some plants to your patio too. Living plants provide a natural, relaxing atmosphere that completes the look of your space and gives it that almost vacation-like vibe you and your crew deserve. An airy neanthe bella palm or statuesque bird of paradise can soften a corner or inspire conversation next to a sitting area. To enclose the space and create a more intimate setting, hang a few Kimberly queen ferns. And for a burst of color, try flowering patio plants like hibiscus or bougainvillea, or consider adding flowering hanging baskets or planters around your outdoor space.
Plants make the perfect addition as a centerpiece for your dining table or side tables too. This year, we’re excited to share our newly expanded collection of summer-inspired living arrangements – an assortment of beautiful and easy-care plant and pot combos all potted up and ready to bring instant life to your patio. Choose from beautiful tabletop and hanging containers made of terra cotta, ceramic, or glass and featuring greenhouse favorites like ferns, orchids, pothos, and succulents too. For something to really get the conversation going, head over to the Greenhouse and check out our collection of completed terrariums and moss ball arrangements. And if it’s a friend who’s hosting the gathering, they make unique and charming hostess gifts too.
Gather On the Patio
For even more inspiration for your next outdoor gathering, stop in and browse our full collection or talk with our team of patio experts. We’d love to help you create the perfect outdoor space to welcome your guests to the patio this season.
