The best outdoor decor ideas for hosting and feasting
How to create a stylish outdoor table for summer garden parties
What better way to celebrate sunny season than hosting – and feasting – with friends and family? All you need are a handful of key outdoor buys and a few style tips to create the perfect at-home dining experience. Here's everything you need to nail summer al fresco dining your way.
Get lit
Bring some glow to your outdoor space and create the perfect mood for alfresco feasting with an outdoor table lamp. Not only are they super-practical, thanks to being rechargeable, cord-free and portable, these designs also pack a stylish punch; so much so, in fact, that you’ll want to make them your table centrepiece.
Layer up
Wondering how to style your outside dining area like a pro? Start by covering your table with a crisp linen tablecloth, or add 2025’s most talked about tableware trend - the table runner. Stick to a colour palette of two or three shades and have fun layering with placemats, napkins, napkin holders, trays, place names– whatever you fancy. It’s the small touches that come together to make a big impression.
Top table
To slightly tweak a famous quote, people won't remember what you said or did (or cooked…), they will remember how you made them feel. Choose playful tableware that adds a sense of fun; summer-signifiers that live long in the memory. Because if you can’t serve olives in a fish-shaped dish at a late-night soiree with your nearest and dearest, then when can you? This is sunny season, after all.
Soft skills
The golden rule when it comes to hosting en plein air? Boost the cosiness levels. Mix and match outdoor cushions and sumptuous throws in timeless stripes for Rivera vibes, or go for fun designs with palm motifs or lettering. More is more for a relaxed feel, so put out extra to avoid anyone feeling cold or uncomfortable. Here’s our pick of the best soft furnishings that’ll earn you extra style points.
John Lewis Dolce Vita Round Cushion, Mimosa
£12.00£10.80
John Lewis Classic Stripe Indoor/Outdoor Cushion
£18.00£16.20
John Lewis Drift Throw
£35.00
Colour me happy
Coloured glassware can take your outdoor dining experience to the next level. Vintage-inspired glasses, jugs or serving bowls with pops of colour - from chunky stripes to pretty confetti - are a joy to use. This beautiful jug turns a simple summer spritzer into something glorious. Worried about little people smashing things? This unbreakable beauty looks like the real deal but will bounce (probably…)
Be seated
At the very heart of having a good time alfresco is making sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible. Seating should not only look good but be supportive and generous. Outdoor benches or corner sofas are great options if you want to cram in lots of people. While this summer lounge chair is so comfy whoever nabs it probably won’t move until home time.