For the team here at Lazy Susan, a nice-looking outdoor table is a table that is inviting, draws us outside, and becomes a focal point on our patios.
The problem we see is many will dress the dining room or kitchen table but the outdoor table is a little neglected. Maybe it's because we like to cover them or move them off the patio in bad weather?
Styling and dressing a table when hosting is not an issue. But, for us, we think styling when it is not in use is just, if not more, important. After all, our furniture is weather-resistant, so it's quite happy outside most of the year.
Making it look nice is the best way to enhance your patio's aesthetic and build the overall ambience. It creates visual appeal, invites you outside, can reflect the time of year, and gives you a head start when visitors are coming.
A well-dressed table can become a great focal point and it adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to your patio area, making the space feel more welcoming and inviting.
It suggests thoughtfulness and attention to detail and is a great way to inject your own style and personality into the wider garden design scheme.
What we are not saying here is that you need to have the table fully set and ready to host. However, simple touches like a planted floral centrepiece can help set the scene and create seasonal interest.
Here at Lazy Susan, we like to adopt a less is more approach to table decor. Keep things simple but sophisticated.
Work with the style of our furniture, home, and garden. Create a table that not only looks nice at all times but also elevates the overall look and feel of the outside area.
To make your outdoor table look nice and inviting, there are plenty of ways you can elevate both the style and atmosphere.
Here are 8 fab ways to make an outdoor table look and function great:
1. Garden Table Centrepiece
For our design team, a centrepiece is the essential item to make a table look nice at all times and no photoshoot they do is complete without one. They create the perfect focal point to complement your garden's natural beauty.
We like to go floral, be that fresh-cut flowers from our gardens or a simple vase of wildflowers to add some vibrant colour, or a small potted plant or succulent in a decorative pot to bring a cosy, earthy vibe to the tablescape.
Depending on the garden table size, you can pair flowers with dome other decor elements such as a large lantern or a group of several smaller candles in the centre to add warmth and atmosphere in the evening.
The great thing about a centrepiece is you can have fun. Change them up. Incorporate seasonal elements such as pumpkins in the autumn, seashells in the summer, or pine cones and a potted evergreen in winter.
2. Garden Tableware
If you’re hosting friends and family, a well-set table, whether it is a casual BBQ or a more formal garden dinner party, is a simple yet effective way to enhance their experience, add a touch of elegance, and create the perfect patio focal point.
We don’t like to cover the beautiful metalwork on our tabletops, so we will opt for a more minimalist look, using a simple table runner on the larger rectangular and oval tables and just placements on smaller and round tables.
Choose colours that complement your outdoor theme in woven, bamboo, or fabrics that will add some texture. Pair with outdoor-safe yet stylish dinnerware in materials like melamine, acrylic, or ceramic for a chic look. Use serving trays or wooden boards for a rustic, stylish presentation of food or drinks.
3. Patio Warmth
Heat from a fire pit or patio heater is important in making an outdoor table look nice as it means we can spend more time outside when the sun starts to set
Our climate can be unpredictable, with cool evenings even during the summer months. A fire pit or patio heater will provide warmth and comfort, allowing us to enjoy our outdoor tables for longer periods.
They provide warmth, comfort, and a touch of ambience, and are perfect when socialising with friends and family. The flickering flames and warmth will bring a touch of magic to your patio table.
4. Patio Texture
For a cosy vibe, we like to introduce lots of texture on and around outdoor tables.
Pair our garden chairs with comfortable outdoor cushions, drape a blanket or throw over the back of each chair when hosting guests on or into the evening.
Think of the patio as a room, build layers in the same way you would inside your home. Place an outdoor rug under the table to define the space and add texture.
Opt for fabrics that are suitable for outdoor use in bold patterns if you want to create contrast or subtle, neutral tones to ground the area and make it feel intimate.
Introduce natural elects such as ceramics, wood and woven textures with decor, planters, baskets or trays to blur the lines and add interest.
5. Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is a simple and effective way to enhance not only the ambience but the appearance of your outdoor table.
We like to hang LED-style festoon lights around our tables or the edges of the patio space for a cosy glow when the sun sets or scatter some of the small battery tea lights or fairy lights in jars on or around the table for some subtle illumination.
If you have the space, garden flame-style torches or a small fire pit nearby can combine warmth with a cosy glow for an inviting atmosphere whereby you can relax long after the sun has gone down.
6. Outdoor Comfort
While our outdoor tables should always look nice, they must function too, and the key to spending quality time outside with friends and family is comfort.
Add our chair cushions to your outdoor seating to make it more comfortable and visually appealing. Choose colours or patterns that complement the rest of your outdoor décor.
Pair with blankets or throws for a more sophisticated and cosy look, especially for those evening gatherings.
A large, stylish parasol in a coordinating colour will add shade while also finishing the look. Opt for one of our bold colours such as terracotta for contrast or keep things neutral with our stone finish.
7. Planting
Planting, in our opinion, is one of the best ways to easily and cost-effectively enhance the appearance of your outdoor table and create a more inviting space.
Place large planters with tall grasses, low-maintenance flowers, or even small trees around the seating area to create a natural barrier and define the outdoor dining space.
If you have walls, a pergola or trellis near the table, then you can hang baskets with flowers or trailing plants to create a lovely, cascading effect.
Surround the area or create a table centrepiece with potted herbs like rosemary, basil, or lavender. They add greenery and offer fresh scents that will enhance your outdoor dining experience.
When choosing what varieties to plant, carefully select low-maintenance species that will thrive in the specific conditions on and around your table area.
8. Garden Shade
A good shade solution will not only protect you from the sun's harmful rays, making it more enjoyable to spend time at your outdoor table, but it will also help to draw attention to your table and create a focal point in your outdoor space.
It will create a more intimate and inviting atmosphere for your outdoor dining area and protect your table and chairs from any passing showers or glare from the sun.
Some of our favourite shade solutions that make a table look and function better include planting trees as a natural barrier, pairing our tables with parasols for convenience and portability, and adding a pergola to provide a more permanent and stylish solution.
By incorporating shade into your outdoor space, you can create a more comfortable, enjoyable, and visually appealing patio dining area.
Our final thoughts…
A clean table surface and surrounding area are the best way to keep things looking fresh, well-maintained, and inviting.
Outdoor tables can collect dust and debris easily, so regularly wiping them down makes a big difference.
When it comes to styling, focus on layering textures, colours, and lighting, while incorporating natural elements like planting.
By paying attention to both the table setting and the surrounding environment, you can transform your garden table into a beautiful, inviting oasis that always looks fab.
Ultimately, the best way to make your outdoor table look nice is to choose elements that reflect your style and preferences.
Use decorative accessories, outdoor rugs, outdoor furniture, intimate lighting, etc to enhance the functionality and ambience of your outdoor dining area.
If you have a nice-looking outdoor table from Lazy Susan on your patio, then we would love to see a few photos for our Do Some Good charity campaign.
You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload Here.
