We Asked Design Experts For Their Top Summer Tablescaping Tips

Calendar already filling up with summer plans? Barbeques, garden parties, dinners with friends and family – there are plenty of reasons to host a get-together this season. And whether you’re planning something grand and extravagant or more lowkey, chances are you’ll need a beautifully decorated table. Lucky for you, we’ve come prepared: we’ve got all the insider tablescaping tips and tricks for curating a stunning summer display.

A Guide To Summer Tablescaping

How do you like to set the table come summer? Maybe you find yourself drawn to colourful plates and glassware, big vases full of seasonal flowers and elaborate table linens – or maybe it’s a more relaxed affair with picnic blankets, mix-and-match crockery and fresh produce (picky bits, anyone?) on the table. Whatever your inclination, dressing up the table can be just as fun as the event itself.

‘A beautiful summer tablescape feels joyful, considered and completely effortless,’ notes Sarah Ross, co-founder of Addison Ross. ‘It’s about creating a sense of occasion without formality – where colour, texture and light all work together in harmony. We love tables that feel alive with personality: fresh flowers, playful glassware, seasonal fruit and thoughtful finishing touches that make guests feel instantly welcome. Whether it’s soft pastels, bold pops of colour or layered natural textures, it should always feel inviting, relaxed and full of character.’

What sets the summer tablescape apart from its seasonal companions, confirms homeware designer Rebecca Udall, is its more relaxed approach. ‘I find I am drawn to more pared back table settings in the summer months,’ she says. ‘It’s a time when the quality of each piece really brings the table to life, beautiful linens that complement but don’t necessarily match, colourful glassware, hand-painted European crockery and woven rattan bring all the textures and details for a simple, convivial backdrop to hosting.’

dbCeramic

So, where should we start? Our experts share their top tips (and inspirations) for summer tablescaping, below:

Top Tips From The Experts

Start Simple

‘Start with a simple, beautiful base,’ suggests Sarah. ‘A linen tablecloth or natural surface instantly grounds the table and lets the styling breathe.’

Be Informal

‘Embrace informality; summer has such a carefree ease to it and with longer, more languid evenings,’ suggests Rebecca. ‘A backdrop of blue skies and beautiful flowers make even the simplest of table settings feel celebratory.’

Get Colourful With The Details

Bold pops of colour will add dimension to your tablescape – just remember: a lighter touch will stand out more than a full colour drench. ‘Whether it’s pink glassware, hand-painted ceramics or a single statement piece, like a bold lamp or floral moment, let colour feel intentional rather than overwhelming.’

Channel The Great Outdoors

‘Use nature however you can,’ instructs Rebecca. ‘If the weather and occasion allow, dine al fresco – gardens bring all the greenery and foliage you need for the perfect natural backdrop. If this isn’t possible, make the most of the abundance of beautiful flowers available at this time of year and create simple wildflower displays using bud vases, or opt for urns for something more dramatic,’ she suggests. Her top tip: ‘Where place names are needed, small floral wreaths add a thoughtful, seasonal touch that guests can take home with them.’

Mix & Match

Combining different textures and shapes will also give your setup points of interest – and talking points for guests. ‘Combine sculptural candlesticks, coloured glass, patterned ceramics and fresh florals to create depth and a sense of playfulness,’ suggests Sarah.

Embrace Print

And don’t forget the prints. ‘Summer is a time when print really sings, particularly florals and painterly checks,’ says Rebecca. ‘Embrace these while you can – we will soon be hunkering back down with cocooning colours!’

Summer Tablescaping Ideas For 2026

Rebecca Udall

Relaxed Styling

When it comes to summer dining, the experience feels far more relaxed than its seasonal counterparts. With this in mind, it becomes completely acceptable – even encouraged – to tablescape loosely and comfortably. ‘While matching napkins and tablecloths is an expected way to make a table scheme cohesive, consider bringing in details that tie the table together in other ways,’ says Rebecca. She suggests: ‘Etched glass that nods to the prints of linens, coasters that coordinate with your pattern of choice or floral displays with pops of colour to match painted crockery. The eclecticism of varying patterns and references adds to the conviviality of summer dining and best suits the relaxed ambience I most want to create.’

dbCeramic

Layered Textures

Who said you had to stick to one colour – or one pattern? ‘For me, the most interesting tables are rarely made up of a single pattern,’ says dbCeramic founder Deborah Brett. ‘Stripes, spots, florals and illustrations can all work together beautifully when they’re united by a considered colour palette. I often layer striped ceramics with my Bubble tablecloth, coloured glassware and woven accessories because the mix creates depth, movement and personality. It’s the colour story that holds everything together, allowing each element to shine without overwhelming the table.’

Addison Ross

Soft Pastels

For that picnic feel without actually having to curl up on the floor, Sarah reimagines ‘a classic garden table with a modern, feminine twist – think pale gingham, delicate florals, tiered cakes and pastel ceramics. Everything feels light, elegant and beautifully balanced, with hydrangeas and soft sunlight filtering through the trees. A quietly nostalgic take on summer entertaining.’

Addison Ross

Botanical Hues

And come evening? Cool things down outdoors with ‘an atmospheric garden setting designed for early evening entertaining, where florals take centre stage,’ says Sarah. ‘Tall candles, sculptural vases and layered green glassware sit alongside fresh citrus and bold blooms, creating a table that feels immersive and beautifully grown-in.’