table:
Design Within Reach Deneb Table (71″x35″) and Bench (large) – (similar affordable option)
decor:
Mackenzie Childs Royal Check Architect’s Centerpieces (small, medium)
Amazon Solar Lantern w/ Krylon clamshell spray paint
World Market Lotus Tea Light Candle Holders
similar Target table runner
World Market Woven Placemats
World Market Linen Napkins
similar geometric rug
flatware:
Mackenzie Childs Sweetbriar Plate
Mackenzie Childs Royal Check Dinner Plate
Mackenzie Childs Sweetbriar Small Bowl
Mackenzie Childs Gold Check Flatware
Updating our backyard patio has been one of my main projects for this last half of summer and honestly, it’s been so much fun! Updating our home decor has easily become one of my favorite pastimes during quarantine so after I updated our outdoor seated patio area, I decided I wanted to give our outdoor patio table a little update as well!
We’re still in summer mode over here and no doubt living in Texas means that we’ll still be able to enjoy our outdoor patio well into October and maybe even November! I shared a few Instagram stories as I updated this space over the past couple of weeks, and received a couple DMs asking for decorating tips. While a lot of it is trial and error, there are a few principles that I find useful. Read on for my 5 easy decorating tips when it comes to outdoor patio dining tables!
Investing in Patio Furniture
Before we dive in on decor, just a quick note when it comes to finding the perfect patio dining furniture. Outdoor dining tables were actually hard to come by during quarantine but I was super excited when I was able to get this gorgeous mid-century set during the Design Within Reach semiannual sale. The teak wood is absolutely gorgeous and I just love the look of the clean gloss white frame paired with it. The style is simple yet functional for our lives with little kids right now, and the casual vibe is exactly what we were looking for to complete our outdoor patio update! For a more budget-friendly option, this set is looks almost exactly the same for a fraction of the price!
And lastly on the note of patio furniture, I highly recommend picking up some waterproof covers to protect your investment against the weather. I found all of ours on Amazon — this is the exact one that I use for our patio dining table. I just transfer all the decor to underneath the table before throwing on the cover. It doesn’t take more than a few minutes and it’s been a lifesaver as we’ve had a few bad storms pass through even in the last couple of months!
SHOP MID-CENTURY MODERN PATIO DINING TABLES
How to Decorate a Patio Table
1. Add a Centerpiece
Mackenzie Childs Royal Check Architect’s Centerpieces (small, medium)
Amazon Solar Lantern w/ Krylon clamshell spray paint
World Market Lotus Tea Light Candle Holders
You can probably tell from my previous tablescapes that I absolutely love a good centerpiece. There’s just no better way to focus the attention and it sets the whole mood for your guests. Since this was an outdoor space, I wanted to incorporate greenery and nature as much as possible.
These faux boxwood plants from Mackenzie-Childs are a new purchase and seriously, I cannot get enough of them. The blue and white Mackenzie-Childs Royal Check pattern of course is perfect for a cheery summer vibe, and the butterfly addition on the leaves completely sold me! Another simple centerpiece option for the outdoor patio is a succulent arrangement — they’re easy to take care of and have a great modern aesthetic!
I actually was stuck on what else to add to the centerpiece but then came across these lanterns on Amazon and was immediately obsessed. The laser etching is delicate and I also love that I don’t have to worry about filling it with candles either as it’s all solar powered. At night, these lanterns give off the most beautiful patterned light as well! I did do a little DIY spray paint job and switched the color from their original black to a clamshell white — super easy!
As a final centerpiece addition, I had these existing lotus candle holders that I used for my bathtub and moved a couple of them to complete the whimsical mood of the outdoor table setting. Love how everything turned out!
SHOP OUTDOOR PATIO CENTERPIECES
2. Add Layers
Mackenzie Childs Sweetbriar Plate
Mackenzie Childs Royal Check Dinner Plate
Mackenzie Childs Sweetbriar Small Bowl
Mackenzie Childs Gold Check Flatware
World Market Woven Placemats
World Market Linen Napkins
I love the look of layered plates for a tablescape, even though we rarely use more than just a single plate each whenever we’re eating. 😆 You’ve probably seen this Mackenzie-Childs flatware from when I shared it in our everyday dining area previously, but it literally could not have been more fitting for an outdoor summer tablescape setup!
I love the blue and white Mackenzie-Childs Royal Check for a modern-day feel on a classic print and of course, the white Mackenzie-Childs Sweetbriar collection pairs perfectly with everything. The scalloped details are my fave and I layered everything on top of a woven placemat that really helped complete the look aesthetically but also functionally helped protect the wood table too!
3. Mix Different Textures
I’ve learned that the secret to creating a professional-looking tablescape is having a combination of different textures. It creates that visual interest and adds dimension to the table. I started with a simple table runner with a minimal weave, added a placemat with thick braids, and finally finished it with a combination of delicately textured hand-glazed terracotta and shiny steel Mackenzie-Childs plates.
4. Don’t Be Afraid Of Color
Mackenzie Childs Breakfast Bowl
I’ve always been a drawn to color, regardless of if its outfits or its home decor! The Mackenzie-Childs Royal Check print is such a cheerful print and honestly, it just makes me so happy! Would it be so bad if my entire kitchen were decked out in it? 😆 I picked up several of these larger servingware pieces last year and love how they just brighten up not only the table but also make the basic dishes I make look good!
5. Roll Out the Bar Cart
Wayfair Pinecrest Bar Cart (similar, similar)
Mackenzie Childs Royal Check Large Compote (small option)
similar water dispenser
Mackenzie-Childs Breakfast Bowl
I picked up a bar cart a few weeks ago mostly because we’re all spending so much time just lounging outside on a normal basis. I love the idea of a bar cart but it just didn’t have a functional purpose in our home setup but with our outdoor patio now decked out, it was just the thing we needed to have drinks on handy for ourselves and guests!
Setting up the bar cart was seriously so much fun!. As I raided our fridge, it became pretty apparent that Adrian and I live off a lot of Topo Chico mineral water and kombucha! 🤣 I’ve been low-key experimenting with different kombuchas during quarantine trying to find a brand where I’ve actually enjoyed the flavor, and in case you’re in the same boat as me, highly recommend Better Booch! (#notsponsored just sharing, fyi) Kombucha is loaded with good probiotics and antioxidants, so been trying to drink more!
Top: Target ‘Ciao’ Graphic Tee (XS / TTS)
Bottom: Amazon Button-Fly Shorts (24 / TTS)
Shoes: similar white sneakers
Better Booch Kombucha – 15% off code CUTENLITTLE15
table:
Design Within Reach Deneb Table (71″x35″) and Bench (large) – (similar affordable option)
decor:
Mackenzie Childs Royal Check Architect’s Centerpieces (small, medium)
Amazon Solar Lantern w/ Krylon clamshell spray paint
World Market Lotus Tea Light Candle Holders
similar Target table runner
World Market Woven Placemats
World Market Linen Napkins
similar geometric rug
flatware:
Mackenzie Childs Sweetbriar Plate
Mackenzie Childs Royal Check Dinner Plate
Mackenzie Childs Sweetbriar Small Bowl
Mackenzie Childs Gold Check Flatware
Props to you if you made it this far in my post! I do hope you found some inspiration here to spruce up your outdoor patio dining space and it’s so much fun once you get into it. It’s been a summer of finding new retreats within our own home and our backyard patio has become one of our favorite places!
pin for later!
How do you like to decorate your patio table? Let me know in a comment below!
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What are your favorite Mackenzie Childs pieces. Let me know in a comment below!
Oh these are all so cute!
Lisa | lisaautumn.com
This decor is so cute! Those plates are adorable! Love the blue color!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
These tips are all so great! I don’t have an outdoor space, but I’ll definitely be giving these tips a try in our living space!
Rachel
http://www.hello-her.com
i love a good outdoor dining space and you have done this so well! love how easy it is to just roll out the bar cart!
xx rebecca // thecrystalpress.com/blog
Nice information… I will surely try it 💯💯 thanks for that
I really love the greenery! Your table scapes are absolutely beautiful! Love the blue!
What fun center pieces! I love the lotus flower! Very pretty!
This is so adorable! I always adore your tablescapes, but this is one of my faves for sure!
I love all of this! It is so well put together. I love the mini topiary trees, but they were much larger than I thought when I saw the picture with you in it!
This is so cute! I love the pattern of the plates and bowls. They a beautiful shade of blue! I can’t wait to have my own house and decorate it!
Those platesare so cute. Love the designs and the set up.
Everything came out so nice, and love the tips! You have a great space to work with! xoxo, Sarah
I’m inlove with you decorating skills babe!
The bar is super cool
What a cheerful and bright outdoor atmosphere you’ve set up here! I love the mixture of textures and prints throughout your tablescape. The placemats are my favorite part – oooh, and the bar cart too! Just so much fun for the end of summer!
Decorating is all part of the fun! These are great! Things just don’t look as great without decorations!
THIS IS SO CUTE! I love outdoor decor <3
I love the whole set up. It’s very Hamptons. I love everything.
just loved these designs and ideas..they looks so fabulous and stunning one..glad you shared these ideas with us..they are going to be very helpful one indeed…great work though…
I’m obsessed with MacKenzie Child’s pieces. They’re perfect for decorating a table!
I love all of these outdoor patio décor ideas! So many of these I;d like to try out at my own home. Thanks for sharing!
I love love love how you mixed so many textures and patterns! It looks beautiful. I also want to buy that bar cart!!
this looks so beautiful! I love how you styled it!
These are all great tips! The table setting looks great!
Adding a centerpiece can definitely cause a big change. I also like mixing up the textures because there will be more designs to give life to the area.
I love the Alice and Wonderland themed decor. I always wanted to have an outdoor lunch patio gathering this way.
I love the deco so much and I agree we should invest in some of the good homeware. Lovely.
What a beautiful outdoor set up! I need to step up my patio table setting game!
I love the decor! I wish I had an outside patio with furniture to actually decorate haha!
You’ve done such a great job decorating your outdoor table. I love the splash of color, it looks so beautiful. I wish I could decorate my outdoor table the same but, living in England, it’s either rain or wind so it would get ruined in less than an hour.
The decor is so pretty. I wish I had all of these things. The color is so nice!
These are such great ideas, will keep these tips in mind surely 😊
Wow your outdoor table decor is grogeous. Loving your Mackenzie Childs plates.
Oh I love the center piece so much. It’s so cute!!
This is a timely read! I’ve been looking for decor inspiration for the patio. I love all these!
You have a very nice way of laying out the table! My appetite increases when I see such a nicely laid out table!
It looks amazing lady! I love how you layered everything. We have lots of Royal Check and Sweetbriar as well – definitely my two favorite lines of theirs!
xo Laura Leigh
https://louellareese.com
I SO needed this post because we just got outdoor patio furniture and don’t have the details out there just yet. This is a beautiful array!
These ideas are really good, I dont have a patio table but I’ll share it with your family!
Wow, I love your outdoor patio decor!! Looks so gorgeous and a beautiful table setting. Thanks for sharing the inspo
What a darling table! I love those checkered plates, they’re classics for years to come!
Alex | adoredbyalex.com
How cute is your outdoor space?! I love how you decorated it!
http://www.rdsobsessions.com
These are such precious decorating ideas!! Mackenzie Childs always has the cutest stuff too. Hope you find lots of opportunities to entertain this fall!
xo, Alice
This is so gorgeous! I love all of these tips, thank you so much for sharing! I love to see how people style their outdoor spaces, and this one has so many things I love, like boxwood, blue and white colors, and lots of different textures!
Omg this is the absolute cutest!! I can’t wait until I can host again!
Love these ideas! The decor is so cute. Thanks for the advice.
The white floor lamp is literally breathtaking! Would love prefect ton any room