Now that spring is finally here, it’s time to live outside again. And that means enjoying relaxing meals on your beautiful patio. To celebrate patio season, we’ve brought together an exciting collection of essentials for the table – linens, dinnerware, serving pieces, and more. And here, we take you step-by-step through each element to help you create the perfect setting for your next outdoor meal.
Foundational Pieces
The first pieces in a beautiful and functional outdoor table setting are the base linens. Consider starting with a table runner – running either down the center length of the table or across its width at one or more points. A table runner adds style and texture to your setting and sets the foundation for the rest of your décor. It also protects the table from damage and spills and is easier to clean and manage than a full tablecloth.
Next, individual placemats add another layer of texture and protection to the table as well as define the seating arrangement for your guests. Placemats can energize the look with bold, contrasting colors, or they can form a comforting, neutral background – like these natural, woven mats do.
Last, a large serving tray set right in the middle of the table provides an easy, elegant centerpiece that also serves to neatly corral the serving pieces to come.
Melamine + Acrylic Dinnerware
Durable, lightweight, and stylish, dinnerware and drinkware made of elegant, but shatterproof materials make outdoor dining as practical and carefree as a summer evening should be. Our melamine dinnerware collection draws inspiration from the natural beauty of green foliage, wood, or stone – so they can be mixed and matched easily into a seamless, relaxing collection. And as you relax with your favorite summer beverage, you’ll want the same ease and durability in your drinkware too. Shatterproof acrylic takes the worry out of every outdoor gathering, and they look so much like real glassware, you’ll only know the difference when you pick one up.
Serving Pieces
Indoors or out, napkins are a must, and fabric napkins are an easy way to dress up casual outdoor gatherings – without taking off on every breeze. Set a pitcher nearby – this clear, tilted one is a fun choice – for convenient refills as the evening passes. And depending on what’s on the menu, other serving pieces to consider include platters, a cheeseboard, spoons, and utensils.
Finishing Touches
Once your table setting is in place, it’s time to create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your outdoor room. Candlelight sets a relaxing mood, and open wicker lanterns – set around the patio or even on the tabletop – are a great way to bring flickering light to the evening without feeling so heavy on your deck or patio. Or, if you prefer the romantic sparkle of clear glass, you might add a few glass hurricane candleholders instead.
For added fragrance with the flame, check out our assortment of candles from Himalayan Trading Post. This piece – a large driftwood tray and rustic tree-bark vessel – has multiple wicks, spreading the soft light over a larger area and allowing even more of that fragrance to float through the evening air.
Dine Outside in the Fresh Air
For even more inspiration for your next outdoor meal, stop by our patio showroom to browse our full collection. Or visit Mulhall’s To-Go and order what you need for convenient drive-through pickup. We’re excited to help you create the perfect outdoor space, so you can enjoy life on the patio all season long.
