COASTAL TABLESCAPE FOR SUMMER: THE PERFECT BACKYARD ESCAPE

August may be here soon, but we’re still in full summer mode in our home! Summer passes so quickly and we like to spend as much time out in our backyard as much as we can. There’s something about dining outdoors in the summer that instantly makes everyday moments feel so special. Whether we’re hosting friends for dinner or enjoying a quiet family meal on the patio, a beautifully styled table transforms the experience and creates an atmosphere that feels relaxed, elegant, and always welcoming. Today I’m sharing a beautifully layered coastal tablescape – I wanted to capture the feeling of a luxurious coastal retreat without leaving home. Of course it’s blue and white, my go-to, all-time favorite color palette, mixed in with green, which has become my quintessential summer palette as well! Combined with woven textures and classic coastal accents, this table comes together to create a timeless setting that feels both sophisticated and effortlessly chic. Surrounded by our newly designed patio and our resort-style pool, this space has become our own little backyard sanctuary – the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the season – which we do every moment we can.

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OUR RESORT-INSPIRED BACK YARD, IDEAL FOR ENTERTAINING

One of my favorite parts of entertaining outdoors is that the incredible nature and peace and quiet that surrounds us here, is also an integral part of the design. We just recently redid our patio and the results are so stunning! I wanted this coastal tablescape to complement our surroundings and transport our guests to a chic, elegant resort.

We enlarged our patio by four feet for a more seamless flow to the pool area, including a small retaining wall as well. It has a classic herringbone pattern, framed by gorgeous oversized rectangular stones with a border that ties everything together with our existing walkway. The enlarged space creates such a beautiful atmosphere and truly allows the dining area to shine.

When we’re out here either swimming, dining or lounging – which is all summer long – our lush trees and pool area create such a peaceful backdrop that instantly feels like we’re transported away on vacation. We just love it out here. I wish summer would last forever!

The coastal feel of our table blends so beautifully with our palms and florals as well, the blue, green and white color palette ties into our summer theme indoors and out, and the natural textures help connect the tablescape to our peaceful outdoor setting.

It’s chic, and elegant without feeling formal – which is exactly the feeling I always love to strive for when we’re entertaining, especially in the summertime.

LAYERING PATTERN AND TEXTURE

One of the easiest ways to create beautiful visual interest is by layering different patterns and textures throughout the table. You may remember last year, I shared this summer table with fresh hydrangeas, which has a similar feel, with different layered patterns and textures in blues and greens as well.

This blue and white block print tablecloth sets the tone with its pretty petite pattern, mixed with the larger scale print of the napkins, while the green woven placemats and natural woven napkin rings add warmth and a relaxed coastal feel.

I’ve used two styles of blue glassware here, one has a beautiful vintage-inspired pattern, the other is a classic drinking glass – combined they also bring interest to my coastal tablescape. My favorite bamboo flatware, which is one of my go-to summer entertaining essentials, continues the natural theme, bringing another gorgeous element to each place setting.

A SIMPLY STYLED, STAND-OUT CENTERPIECE

I kept the centerpiece simple, relaxed and effortless. Would you be able to tell that these are faux blooms? You can absolutely use faux flowers outdoors – these have been on our table all summer long and make such a beautiful centerpiece.

I arranged faux white geraniums in my blue and white planter (similar) to create a gorgeous focal point on the table. With a large centerpiece like this, I’ll remove it when we sit to eat, since it takes up a lot of space. I often love to create a statement with lush florals that set the scene.

A pair of coral sculptures together with my gorgeous coral hurricane lanterns (similar) flank the centerpiece, adding just the right amount of coastal elegance without feeling overly themed. The result is elegant, understated, and perfect for a timeless and very chic coastal tablescape.

COASTAL TABLESCAPE DETAILS

Sometimes it’s the small details that make a table memorable. While the overall table creates a beautiful first impression, it’s always the close-up elements that really tell the story.

Layering dishes adds interest and these are some of my favorites – the blue rimmed dishes (similar) were my beautiful Mama’s, and the green scalloped salad plates are from Williams Sonoma from many years ago – see them in this tablescape. They layer perfectly atop one another and tie all of the colors together.

As I mentioned earlier, the intricate block print pattern on the tablecloth juxtaposed with the bold print napkins (similar) and the texture and beautiful color of the woven placemats (similar) are all layered details that add warmth and character.

These elements all work together to create a beautiful coastal table that feels curated and collected, rather than perfectly matched. If you know me, I always love to mix and match patterns, dishes and different pieces together for a unique setting – it creates so much more interest.

These stunning coral hurricane lanterns (similar) were a lucky HomeSense find – each bought a year apart – when I found the first one, I knew I’d eventually find another one to match and I finally did! I love to use pairs of hurricanes for symmetry. I borrowed these from our summer living room – they’re the perfect coastal element on our table.

These very chic hydrangea print pillows also taken from our summer living room, add a lush layer of comfort meant for lingering just a little longer. Every piece here contributes to the relaxed, coastal atmosphere I was after and brings a chic, collected feel that’s polished and always welcoming.

BRING THE COASTAL VACATION HOME

Combining my favorite blue and white, layering in greens, adding woven textures, coastal pieces I love and simple blooms, this look feels elegant enough for entertaining while still being relaxed and comfortable for any meal.

Whether you’re hosting friends or enjoying dinner with family, these simple touches can help transform your backyard into a peaceful retreat that feels like a summer getaway.

I hope this coastal tablescape inspires you to slow down, gather around the table, and make the most of every beautiful summer day. Enjoy each moment of the gorgeous summer season, there’s still plenty of it left to slow down and linger a little longer! xo